Researcher Burgers receives $2M NIH grant for DNA research

Peter M. Burgers, PhD, the Marvin A. Brennecke Professor of Biological Chemistry at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has received a four-year, $2.04 million grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research titled “Enzymology of Replication of Yeast Chromosomal DNA.”

Gidday receives $1M-plus NIH glaucoma research grant

Jeff Gidday, PhD, associate professor of neurosurgery, of ophthalmology and visual sciences, and of cell biology and physiology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has received a four-year, $1.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research titled “Endogenous Neuroprotection in Glaucoma.”

Washington People: Odis Johnson

Odis Johnson, PhD, joined the Department of Education in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis this semester. Here, he talks about the future of education research and policy, and how education, race and urban policy intersect.

Lori S. White appointed vice chancellor for students​​

​​Lori S. White, PhD, vice president for student affairs at Southern Methodist University, has been named vice chancellor for students at Washington University in St. Louis. The appointment is effective July 1, according to Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton. White succeeds Sharon Stahl, PhD, who announced last year​ that she would retire at the end of the 2014-15 academic year.​

Goddard honored by corporate counsel group

Christopher Goddard, JD, assistant vice chancellor and associate general counsel for Washington University in St. Louis, recently was awarded the prestigious William E. Jaudes Service Award by the St. Louis Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel.

Research as art​​

An inaugural exhibit of images by scientists, titled “Research as Art,” held April 3, included eerie landscapes created by vortices in superfluids, smeared false-color data from satellite-borne instruments, three-dimensional images of grains that exploded out of supernovas and many more enigmatic and colorful images.

Distinctive points of view​

​The Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts will present its 86th Annual Fashion Design Show at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 26. The fully choreographed, Paris-style extravaganza, which takes place in Union Station, will features dozens of models wearing scores of outfits by 27 sophomore, junior and senior designers.

The ghosts of old technology

The method is strange at first, disconcerting, but new rules and rhythms are quickly internalized. Soon the machines seem almost to speak. In “Telegraph,” recent alumnus Will Jacobs — winner of the 2014 A.E. Hotchner Playwriting Competition at Washington University in St. Louis — explores the wonder and shortcomings of communication technology.