Annual public health conference to focus on challenges of the 21st century

The Institute for Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis will host its fifth annual conference, titled “Rising to the Challenge: Public Health in the 21st Century,” from 12:30-5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, at the Eric P. Newman Education Center on the Medical Campus. The keynote speaker is James S. Marks, MD, senior vice president and director, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

No Child… at Edison Sept. 21-30

No Child Left Behind was the signature education bill of the Bush administration. No Child… is an award-winning one-woman play by Nilaja Sun, who spent eight years teaching in the New York City public schools. From Sept. 21-30, The Black Rep will revive its acclaimed production of this Obie Award-winning play in WUSTL’s Edison Theatre.

Lee Liberman memorial service Sept. 20

A memorial service for Lee M. Liberman, life trustee and former chair of Washington University’s Board of Trustees, will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, in Graham Chapel. Liberman died Aug. 31, 2012, in St. Louis. He was 91.

Researchers identify mechanism that leads to diabetes, blindness

The rare disorder Wolfram syndrome is caused by mutations in a single gene, but its effects on the body are far reaching. Now, researchers report that they have identified a mechanism that affects both insulin-secreting cells and neurons. The finding will aid in the understanding of Wolfram syndrome and also may be important in the treatment of milder forms of diabetes and other disorders.

McDonnell Academy welcomes 16 new scholars from across the world

The McDonnell International Scholars Academy at Washington University in St. Louis welcomed 16 new graduate and professional students from 11 partner institutions worldwide for the 2012-13 academic year. Admitted into the McDonnell Academy for the first time in 2012 were two scholars from the United States.

WUSTL United Way campaign kicks off

Thanks in part to the support of the United Way, the St. Louis Area Foodbank distributed 25 million pounds of food to those in need in the bi-state region last year. The WUSTL community can help the United Way support organizations like the Foodbank by contributing to the 2012 United Way campaign, which began Sept. 6. 

Bus tour promoting nation’s fiscal responsibility comes to campus

David M. Walker, former U.S. comptroller general, will bring his “$10 Million a Minute Tour” promoting fiscal responsibility to the Danforth Campus Tuesday, Sept. 18. Walker, CEO of the Comeback America Initiative, is leading a national monthlong bus tour to bring attention to the economic and fiscal challenges facing the United States.