Notables

Zhen He, an environmental engineer at WashU, received the 2025 Frederick George Pohland Medal from the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors and the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists.

Thirteen teachers from across the St. Louis region have been selected to work with WashU faculty members for the 2025 Summer Teacher-Researcher Program. Administered in collaboration with the university’s Institute for School Partnership, the program provide professional development opportunities for area K-12 teachers.

Kevin Cox, an assistant professor of biology in Arts & Sciences, received the 2025 Eric E. Conn Young Investigator Award from the American Society of Plant Biologists.

Kristina Sauerwein, a senior sciences writer in Marketing & Communications at WashU Medicine, has received her fifth Robert G. Fenley Writing Award from the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Betsy Sinclair, who studies how politics influence social relationships, was installed recently as the Thomas F. Eagleton University Professor of Public Affairs and Political Science in Arts & Sciences.

Perla Giles, a rising senior majoring in molecular microbiology, and David Lee, a rising senior majoring in chemistry, have been chosen to participate in the Beckman Scholars Program, which provides in-depth research experiences for exceptionally talented undergraduate students.

Rebecca Messbarger, professor of Italian in Arts & Sciences, has published a chapter titled “Popes, the Body, Medicine, and the Cult of Saints after Trent” as part of “The Cambridge History of the Papacy, Volume III: Civil Society.”

Robi Mitra at WashU Medicine has received the Chancellor’s Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In addition, in 2024 WashU jumped 11 places to No. 26 on the National Academy of Inventors list of the top 100 U.S. universities granted U.S. utility patents.

Charlie Fioriglio, a rising senior studying physics and chemistry in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, has been named an Astronaut Scholar, a competitive fellowship for exceptional undergraduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and math.

Barbara W. Trautner, MD, PhD, an internationally recognized physician-scientist, has been named the new co-director of the Division of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Medicine at WashU Medicine.