Page 16 – The Source | Washington University in St. Louis

Public Scholarship names faculty fellows

Salma Abdalla, at WashU Public Health, and Liz Chiarello, in WashU Arts & Sciences, have been named 2026 Public Scholarship faculty fellows in recognition of their work that connects rigorous research with public audiences.

Advancement

Brown School honors alumni, supporters with 2026 Awards of Distinction

The WashU Brown School presented its 2026 Awards of Distinction on April 23, honoring alumni and supporters for their work advancing positive change in communities worldwide.

Obituaries

Peter Raven, conservation advocate and professor emeritus, 89

Peter H. Raven, the George Engelmann Professor of Botany Emeritus in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, died April 25, 2026. He was 89.

Mental Health

People with poor mental health report worse care worldwide

WashU researchers find adults struggling with their mental health face more unmet needs and less trust in health systems.

Health & Society

Global outbreaks may fuel violence against women — but most cases go unmeasured

At WashU Public Health, researchers highlight how outbreaks strain households and systems, revealing hidden risks for women and girls that data often fails to capture.

Medicine

WashU Medicine researchers to build AI tools to boost Alzheimer’s research

A grant of nearly $800,000 will fund the development of an “AI Scientist” system aimed at improving biomedical research efficiency, with an initial focus on neurodegenerative disease.

Advancement

Two WashU Medicine researchers named Perlmutter Career Development Assistant Professors

Monica Chang-Panesso, MD, and Hysell Oviedo, PhD, were recognized for their research on kidney repair and the brain’s processing of sound and speech, respectively.

Entrepreneurship & Innovation

WashU entrepreneurs and innovators honored

In total, WashU startups received nearly $125,000 in funding during an event at the Skandalaris Center’s annual spring awards ceremony.

Advancement

Witt installed as Kavita and Krishna Bharat Professor

Andrew Witt has been installed as the inaugural Kavita and Krishna Bharat Professor in the WashU Sam Fox School. The professorship includes a joint appointment at WashU McKelvey Engineering.

Students

05.04.26

Images from on and around the WashU campuses.