Page 1136 – The Source | Washington University in St. Louis

Preemies at high risk of autism don’t show typical signs of disorder in early infancy

Premature babies are at an increased risk for developing autism spectrum disorder. But a small study indicates that preemies who avoid eye contact are less likely to demonstrate symptoms of autism at age 2 than preemies who maintain eye contact during early interactions, according to new research at the School of Medicine.

Romee receives career development award

Rizwan Romee, MD, assistant professor of medicine, has received a three-year, $200,000 career development award from the Conquer Cancer Foundation of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Humanities & Society

WashU Expert: Greece at the crossroads

Costas Azariadis, PhD, an economist at Washington University in St. Louis, is currently in Greece. A native of Athens, Azariadis emailed his observations and insights into the turmoil and what might be next.

Campus & Community

Snapshots 6.29.15: Pretty plants and fostering learning

Images captured in and around the Washington University campuses.

Campus & Community

WashU’s Summer Writers Institute celebrates 20th year

For 20 summers now, students of all ages and from all walks of life have gathered on the campus of Washington University in St. Louis to write, read, write, read and write some more. The Summer Writers Institute, an intensive, two-week writing seminar that is part summer camp, part MFA-level instruction, is thriving after two decades.

Genin receives highest academic honor from Chinese government

Guy M. Genin, PhD, professor of mechanical engineering in the School of Engineering & Applied Science at Washington University in St. Louis, has been named a Yangtze River Scholar by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China. The prestigious award is the highest award issued to an individual in higher education by China’s Ministry of Education. Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton attended the installation June 29.

Humanities & Society

Major Midwest flood risk underestimated by as much as 5 feet, study finds

As floodwaters surge along major rivers in the midwestern United States, a new study from Washington University in St. Louis suggests federal agencies are underestimating historic 100-year flood levels on these rivers by as much as five feet, a miscalculation that has serious implications for future flood risks, flood insurance, and business development in an expanding floodplain.

Two share NIH grant on blood-vessel research

Jessica Wagenseil, DSc, associate professor of mechanical engineering in the School of Engineering & Applied Science at Washington University in St. Louis, and Robert Mecham, PhD, the Alumni Endowed Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology at the School of Medicine and professor of medicine, of pediatrics and of biomedical engineering, received a four-year, $381,250 grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research titled “Vessel Stiffening, Hypertension and Vascular Extracellular Matrix.”

Project ARK to provide HIV testing, area for youth at PrideFest

Project ARK , a Washington University School of Medicine program that provides health-care and support services for children and teens with HIV, will host an area designated for youth at St. Louis’ annual PrideFest, a three-day event downtown that begins Friday. Among activities at the site will be free HIV testing for anyone 25 or younger.

Law’s Richards elected to Freedom to Read Foundation board

Neil Richards, JD, professor of law at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, was one of six people recently elected to a two-year term on the Freedom to Read Foundation Board of Trustees.