Though some cardiologists may have dabbled in musical pursuits from an early age, few have opened for Aerosmith. How does one who dropped out of college to play drums and follow dreams of being a professional musician end up chief of cardiology at a major medical school? “I needed a day job,” says Douglas L. Mann, MD. Today, Mann studies inflammation and its role in heart failure.
The same trait that makes a rare immune cell invaluable in fighting some infections also can be exploited by other diseases to cause harm, two new studies show. By studying the basic functions of these cells, scientists are laying the groundwork to use them to fight infections. The cells also appear to be essential for some cancer vaccines, which enlist the power of the immune system to help fight tumors.
The violence against peaceful protesters in Libya and Syria drives home the need for an international convention for the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity, says Leila Nadya Sadat, JD, international law expert and director of the Whitney R. Harris World Law Institute at Washington University School of Law. “The concerted efforts of the international community have helped to bring about a resolution of the Libyan situation, but the situation in Syria continues to deteriorate,” she says. “Reports of civilian roundups in Syria are reminiscent of Nazi roundups of the Jews during WWII. History shows that widespread human rights abuses lead to ethnic cleansing, crimes against humanity and even genocide.”
The Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) at Washington University in St. Louis will host an open house titled “Show Me LLI” for prospective members from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 8. LLI offers a variety of courses that emphasize peer learning and active class participation by senior adults. The event is free and open to senior adults ages 55 and older.
A recent report by the Partnership for Public Service indicates a strong disconnect between the desire of federal employees to innovate and the degree to which innovation is encouraged in their workplaces. Now beginning its second year, the Master’s of Science in Leadership, offered by Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis in partnership with the Brookings Institution, helps U.S. government employees think strategically about opportunities for innovation, and does it in a way that is very cost effective.
Kenneth M. Murphy, MD, PhD, has been named the Eugene L. Opie First Centennial Professor of Pathology and Immunology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Every day we make thousands of tiny predictions — when the bus will arrive, who is knocking on the door, whether the dropped glass will break. Now, in one of the first studies of its kind, researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are beginning to unravel the process by which the brain makes these everyday prognostications.
Washington University’s main move-in day in the South 40 residence halls for freshmen is Thursday, Aug. 25. Nearly 1,500 freshmen are arriving for the 2011-12 academic year that begins Aug. 30. With help from family, friends and upperclassmen, the freshmen will be hauling everything from refrigerators and microwaves to carpets, bicycles and stereo systems into their new homes away from home.
Phil Valko, a WUSTL alumnus, has been named director of sustainability at Washington University in St. Louis, announced Steven P. Hoffner, associate vice chancellor for operations. The director of sustainability is responsible for providing leadership, vision and strategy to advance WUSTL’s sustainability efforts.
Renovations at Washington University in St. Louis’ Campus Store are complete. To celebrate and welcome the campus community to explore the updated Campus Store, the Campus Store is hosting a Back-to-School Bash from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 29.
