Regis James O’Keefe, MD, PhD, is a highly regarded orthopaedic oncologist. He comes to the School of Medicine from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, where he is the chair of orthopaedics and rehabilitation.
New research provides an intriguing glimpse into the processes that establish connections between nerve cells in the brain. These connections, or synapses, allow nerve cells to transmit and process information involved in thinking and moving the body. Pictured is the study’s senior author, Azad Bonni, MD, PhD.
Scientists may be able to entomb the malaria parasite in a prison of its own making, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report July 16 in Nature.
Cigarette smokers are more likely to commit suicide than people who don’t smoke, a relationship that has been attributed to the fact that numerous people with psychiatric disorders, who have higher suicide rates, also tend to smoke. But a new study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis finds that smoking itself may increase suicide risk and that policies to limit smoking reduce suicide rates.
David W. Piston, PhD, has been named the new head of the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Renowned for his groundbreaking work with fluorescent imaging techniques, Piston comes to WUSTL from Vanderbilt University.
Larry J. Shapiro, MD, dean of the School of Medicine, recently surprised three staff members with service awards. Pam Gassner was awarded the Dean’s Distinguished Service Award; Peggy Frisella, the Research Support Award; and Amy Stabenow, the Operations Staff Award. Pictured are Lynn Cornelius, MD, Gassner and Shapiro.
The Institute for Public Health serves as an important bridge across campus, connecting all seven schools to strengthen Washington University in St. Louis’ impact on public health. Currently, the institute’s sole facility is on the Medical Campus, but thanks to alumnus and university trustee Harry Seigle (AB ’68) (center) and his wife, Susan, the institute soon also will have a home on the Danforth Campus — in the new Brown School building slated for completion next year.
Kevin Hardcastle has been appointed chief information security officer for Washington University in St. Louis, reporting to John Gohsman, vice chancellor for information technology and chief information officer.
Laurie Maffly-Kipp, PhD, a professor in the humanities in Arts & Sciences and in the John C. Danforth Center on Religion & Politics at Washington University in St. Louis, received the 2014 James W.C. Pennington Award for her research on African-American religion and history.
To help commemorate the Central Institute for the Deaf’s centennial, the Bernard Becker Medical Library has a new exhibit featuring rare books, early hearing aids, photos and other items related to the institute.
