Perspectives

Marcus Foston in the McKelvey School of Engineering is using synthetic biology to create an underwater hydrogel that mimics the strength of mussel foot proteins. In this podcast, Foston explains how the hydrogel’s powerful adhesive could replace surgical sutures and fix cracked boats.

There’s an arms race on campus, and professors are losing, writes Ian Bogost.

Jarea Fang, a communications associate in the Office of Sustainability, writes about climate anxiety and how young people can respond and take action.

A longtime member of the Writers Guild of America, Arts & Sciences’ Richard Chapman has written more than 200 hours of network television. But as the WGA settles into its fourth strike in as many decades, Chapman wonders, will this time be the charm?

John M. Jennings, an adjunct lecturer at Olin Business School, has written a book, “The Uncertainty Solution,” which discusses strategies for investing confidently despite many unknowns in the financial markets. 

Domestic cats make different sounds than their wild ancestors, suggesting that they have evolved to get our attention, writes Jonathan Losos, the William H. Danforth Distinguished University Professor.

Diverse mammal genomes open a new portal to hidden aspects of evolutionary history, writes Michael Landis, assistant professor of biology in Arts & Sciences.

Shanti Parikh, chair of African and African American studies in Arts & Sciences, helped develop the curriculum for the Advanced Placement course on African American studies. Here, she reflects on the course, the controversy and what’s next for Black studies programs.

In this episode of the “Show Me the Science” podcast, hear about Washington University’s work to counter rising maternal death rates, now 10 times higher than in comparable, wealthy countries.

Gary Guo and Serena Wu, who are history majors in Arts & Sciences, are working together to produce a podcast, “The Uyghur History Project,” which explores the history and current plight of the Uyghur population in China’s Xinjiang region. Both students are part of the Living History Scholars program.