Page 1089 – The Source | Washington University in St. Louis

Cooper named head of biochemistry and molecular biophysics

John A. Cooper, MD, PhD, has been named head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at Washington University School of Medicine.

Campus & Community

Obituary: Jacques de Villiers, 21

Washington University in St. Louis rising senior Jacques de Villiers died July 3, 2015, of cancer. He was 21. Diagnosed with cancer as a high school student in Cleveland, De Villiers arrived at Washington University ready to engage in campus life. He studied economics and biomedical physics, played club hockey, joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and cooked elaborate meals for friends.

Business & Entrepreneurship

WashU Expert: What ‘World of Warcraft’ teaches us about motivation

“World of Warcraft” might not seem like typical research material. But Yulia Nevskaya, PhD, assistant professor of marketing at Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis found it the perfect research platform. She has helped lead a study of gamers’ behavior and what’s behind their motivation.

Campus & Community

Encouraging diversity in the neurosciences

In an effort to increase diversity in the neurosciences, Washington University in St. Louis has received a five-year, $1.5 million federal grant to participate in a national pipeline program with that mission.

WashU faculty, staff celebrated in publication on diversity

A new publication, “Who’s Who Diversity in Color,” recently released its inaugural edition. The publication highlights minorities from the St. Louis region who have positively influenced their workplace or community, and eight faculty and staff members of Washington University in St. Louis are featured in the publication.

Campus & Community

Washington People: Leah Merrifield

Leah Merrifield, assistant vice chancellor for community engagement at Washington University in St. Louis, has worked at Olin Business School, in the Office of the Chancellor and in the Office of Government and Community Relations – twice. Her titles have been different, but in her 20 years at the university, her overarching goal has remained the same: to help Washington University be a more diverse and inclusive place.

Medicine & Health

New drugs to treat deadly heart condition aim of $3.1 million study

Jianmin Cui, PhD, professor of biomedical engineering in the School of Engineering & Applied Science, is taking an innovative approach to finding new drug candidates to treat Long QT syndrome with a four-year, $3.1 million grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health.

Medicine & Health

Siteman Cancer Center earns highest rating from federal cancer institute

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has awarded Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis an “exceptional” rating, based on a rigorous review of Siteman’s research programs. The rating is the highest possible by the NCI, the principal federal institute that funds cancer research.

Campus & Community

Vice chancellor for finance, CFO search committee named

Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton has appointed an eight-member committee to identify candidates for the position of vice chancellor for finance and chief financial officer. Barbara A. Feiner announced her plans to retire Dec. 31 as vice chancellor for finance and CFO after 19 years at the university.

Medicine & Health

University names new medical school dean

David H. Perlmutter, MD, has been named executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. His tenure begins Dec. 1. A former Washington University faculty member, Perlmutter succeeds Larry J. Shapiro, MD, who is stepping down after leading the School of Medicine for 12 years.