Page 151 – The Source | Washington University in St. Louis

$8 million awarded to study root causes of brain cell death in fatal pediatric diseases

A large, multidisciplinary team at the School of Medicine has received a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to tackle complex problems in neuroscience.

Academics

Digital Transformation initiative launches at Washington University

Marking the next milestone of the “Here and Next” strategic plan, WashU has launched the Digital Transformation initiative. The effort will help position the university as a leader in addressing technological challenges and opportunities now and into the future.

Physical Sciences

Flawed diamonds

Physicists in Arts & Sciences are gaining quantum insights from imperfect crystals. The research supported by the Center for Quantum Leaps advances the field of quantum simulation using an atomic-level quantum system.

Awards & Notables

Ellebedy to develop next-generation coronavirus vaccines with broad protection

Ali Ellebedy, an associate professor at the School of Medicine, and colleagues have received a $13 million grant renewal from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for a project that will bring together experts from multiple disciplines across five research institutions to create better vaccines to fight against current and emerging coronaviruses.

Space

Tyson observatory is WashU’s dark sky site

Artificial light at night is making it more difficult to see the stars, especially in urban areas. The observatory at Tyson Research Center makes the most of its secluded location, offering a unique viewing experience.

Campus & Facilities

‘She Leads’ to empower women through panels, presentations

The Ann W. and Spencer T. Olin-Chancellor’s Fellowship will host the 2023 “She Leads Symposium @ WashU” from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 20 in Knight Hall’s Emerson Auditorium.

Engineering

Curving light in a record-setting way

A team led by scientists and engineers, including researchers from the McKelvey School of Engineering, has created a unique, record-setting material that can bend one infrared ray of light in two directions.

Cancer Research

Noninvasive, ultrasound-based brain biopsy is feasible, safe in people

Graduate student Lu Xu wears a device designed by engineers that targets ultrasound waves to precise spots in the brain.

Researchers at the School of Medicine and the McKelvey School of Engineering have developed a noninvasive technique called sonobiopsy that uses ultrasound and microbubbles to release biomolecules from brain tumors. A blood draw can collect the biomolecules to help inform treatment decisions.

Medicine & Health

Sumanth Prabhu

Sumanth Prabhu, MD, director of the Cardiovascular Division at the School of Medicine, is a heart failure specialist with a passion for patient care.

Awards & Notables

Yi and Gabel receive grants to study autism-related disorders

Jason Yi and Harrison Gabel, both at the School of Medicine, each have received two-year, $300,000 pilot grants from the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative. The researchers will use the funds to investigate genetic diseases that result in autism.