Kevin Hays blows Rubik’s record out of the water​​​​

Junior Kevin Hays has set a new record for standard Rubik’s Cubes solved while underwater: eight. Hays beat the previous record of five while sitting in a dunk tank April 19 on the Washington University in St. Louis campus at the annual Thurtene Carnival. The attempt took two minutes and five seconds.

Macias receiving honorary degree from Colgate University

Edward S. Macias, PhD, provost emeritus and the Barbara and David Thomas Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, will receive an honorary degree from his alma mater Colgate University in May.

Bacterial flora of remote tribespeople carries antibiotic resistance genes

Scientists, including researchers from Washington University School of Medicine, have found antibiotic resistance genes in the bacterial flora of a South American tribe that never before had been exposed to antibiotic drugs. The findings suggest that bacteria in the human body have had the ability to resist antibiotics since long before such drugs were ever used to treat disease.

Events held to celebrate Earth Day

Various events are being held at Washington University in St. Louis from Monday, April 20, through Thursday, April 23, to celebrate Earth Day, from pledges to eat less meat to bike tuneups, a farmers’ market and a sustainability lecture.

Graduate students recognize faculty mentors

Erin McGlothlin, PhD (right), associate professor of German and of Jewish studies in Arts & Sciences, was among eight faculty to receive an Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award. She is pictured with one of her graduate students who nominated her for the award, Ervin Malakaj, a PhD candidate in German.

Miller named Clayson Professor of Neurology

Timothy M. Miller, MD, PhD, a leading researcher in the neurodegenerative disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), has been named the David Clayson Professor of Neurology at the School of Medicine. The professorship was established in 2001 through a bequest from David Clayson, PhD, to support innovative research into treatments for ALS.

Marshall receives grants, named visiting professor in Italy

Garland Marshall, PhD, professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics and of biomedical engineering, has received a $50,000 grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research titled “Discovery of New Therapeutics for Drug-Free Remission of HIV,” among other achievements.

Convenience, workplace incentives may increase use of public transit

Transit stops close to home and workplace incentives are associated with higher likelihood that commuters will choose public transportation, according to research from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The study is co-authored by Aaron Hipp, PhD, assistant professor at the Brown School.

Math team ranks 16th out of 431 in Putnam Competition

The Department of Mathematics has announced that a Washington University team, consisting of junior Anthony Grebe, senior Alan Talmage and sophomore Jongwhan Park, placed 16th out of 431 teams in the William Lowell Putnam Mathematics Competition, the most difficult mathematics competition for undergraduates in the country. Washington University teams also took first and second place in the Missouri Collegiate Mathematics Competition.​