Page 1268 – The Source | Washington University in St. Louis

DNA study reveals clues to human, ape evolution

New research provides one of the most detailed and comprehensive analyses yet of the genetic diversity of endangered great apes living in the wild, revealing new clues to the evolution of apes and humans.

‘Habits of Achievement’ book is tribute to McLeod and his words of wisdom

Every year, the late James E. “Jim” McLeod, vice chancellor for students and dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, delivered a talk called “Habits of Achievement” to incoming Ervin Scholars in his role as director of the Ervin Scholars Program. This fondly remembered speech has been published for the first time in a book titled Habits of Achievement: Lessons for a Life Well-Lived, which weaves Ervin alumni recollections of McLeod with his speech. It also includes a short biography of McLeod’s life.

Humanities & Society

Powderly named director of WUSTL’s Institute for Public Health

William G. Powderly, MD, the J. William Campbell Professor of Medicine and co-director, Division of Infectious Diseases at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been named director of the Institute for Public Health (IPH), according to Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton. Powderly succeeds founding director Edward J. Lawlor, PhD, dean of the Brown School and the William E. Gordon Distinguished Professor; Graham Colditz, MD, DPhil, the Niess-Gain Professor of Surgery and professor of medicine in the School of Medicine, will continue to serve as deputy director. The appointment is effective July 1.

Campus & Community

Obituary: Kathleen F. Brickey, JD, professor of law, 68

Kathleen F. Brickey, JD, a giant in the field of white-collar crime and the long-serving James Carr Professor of Criminal Jurisprudence at Washington University School of Law, died Wednesday, June 19, 2013.

Medicine & Health

Event July 11 to focus on disparities in health care

A fast-paced “Ignite” event focused on disparities in health care will be held July 11 on the Washington University Medical Campus.

Science & Technology

Engineering’s Williams to study climate trends in St. Louis and southeastern U.S.

Brent Williams, PhD, of the School of Engineering & Applied Science at Washington University in St. Louis, has received a nearly $300,000 Early Career grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to bring his expertise in measuring particles in the atmosphere to a national study of the climate trend in the southeastern United States as well as the St. Louis area.

Medicine & Health

Brain differences seen in depressed preschoolers

A key brain structure that regulates emotions works differently in preschoolers with depression compared with their healthy peers, according to new research at the School of Medicine. Brain scans of preschoolers with depression revealed elevated activity in the amygdala, the area shown in the red circle, when compared with scans of young children exhibiting no signs of depression.

Washington People: Leslie Heusted

Leslie Heusted, director of the Danforth University Center & Event Management Office, sits down to discuss students, nerf guns and the structured aimlessness of afternoon tea.

Science & Technology

The Swiss Army knife of salamanders

WUSTL biologist Alan Templeton and colleagues in Israel and Germany received $2 million to look at the shifting patterns of gene expression, called the transcriptome, in two remarkably versatile species of fire salamander, one native to Israel and the other to Germany. The work may explain why this genus of salamanders is able to adapt to a wide variety of habitats when most salamander species live in one.

Medicine & Health

Ferkol new president-elect of thoracic society

Thomas W. Ferkol, MD, the Alexis Hartmann, MD, Professor of Pediatrics at the School of Medicine, has been installed as president-elect of the American Thoracic Society (ATS).