Page 109 – The Source | Washington University in St. Louis

Gratitude inspires generous support for WashU Medicine’s neurosurgery department

WashU leaders and the Taylors at a celebration

In recognition of a $50 million gift from Andrew and Barbara Taylor, the neurosurgery department at WashU Medicine has been named the Taylor Family Department of Neurosurgery.

Biology

Brain tumors hijack circadian clock to grow

Glioblastoma is an aggressive, incurable brain cancer that is the most common malignant brain tumor in adults. New research from Washington University in St. Louis shows that glioblastoma has an internal clock and syncs its daily rhythms to match — and take advantage of — the rhythms of its host.

Students

Class Acts: Breanna Yang

Graduating WashU senior Breanna Yang has cared for patients in St. Louis Children’s Hospital, conducted research at WashU Medicine and founded a nonprofit to help sick children. Yang is among the 1,500 graduating students who will be celebrated at Saturday’s December recognition ceremony.

Awards & Notables

Figueroa recognized by NASPA

Mark Figueroa, assistant director of the Taylor Family Center for Student Success, has been recognized as an “emerging new professional” by NASPA, the nation’s leading organization for student affairs administrators.

Neuroscience & Memory

Grant will fund development of vaccines to prevent dementia

a 3D illustration in purple of neurons undergoing degeneration

Researchers at Washington University are looking to find new ways to design vaccines to protect against inflammation in the brain that causes dementia.

Medicine

WashU Medicine reaches all-time high in NIH funding

WashU Medicine secured $683 million in research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2024, placing the school at No. 2 in NIH funding nationwide for the second year in a row.

Aging

Volunteering reduces rate of aging, study finds

Volunteering, even a small amount, is linked to slower age acceleration for both retirees and working people, finds a new study from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.

Awards & Notables

Faculty Achievement Award nominations sought

Nominations are being accepted for Washington University in St. Louis’ annual Faculty Achievement Awards, known as the Arthur Holly Compton Faculty Achievement Award and the Carl and Gerty Cori Faculty Achievement Award. The deadline to submit nominations is Feb. 7.

Biology

Scientists collect ‘microbial fingerprints’ found in household plumbing

Environmental engineers at Washington University are working to document the microbial populations that live in household plumbing.

Awards & Notables

Student addresses economic inclusion of refugees with disabilities in The Lancet

Mustafa Rfat, a PhD candidate in social work at the Brown School, has co-authored a correspondence published in The Lancet calling on greater economic integration of refugees and asylum seekers with disabilities.