New report on America’s energy future is focus of talk June 7

Washington University in St. Louis Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton will share findings from the recent report by the Committee on America’s Energy Future in a talk June 7 at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center in Kansas City. Wrighton served as vice-chair of the Committee on America’s Energy Future, a group sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering. He is a scientist, researcher and respected authority on global energy options. 

Obituary: Heikki Seppä, 83

Internationally acclaimed silversmith Heikki Seppä, professor emeritus in the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Art’s College of Art, died Tuesday, May 18, at his home on Bainbridge Island, Wash. He was 83. One of the most innovative and influential silversmiths of the latter 20th century, Seppä helped introduce the technique of reticulation to the United States while also developing and popularizing new methods for shaping sheet metal into three-dimensional shell structures.

A third of young girls get HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer

Only about one in three young women has received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to help prevent cervical cancer, according to a new report from researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The HPV vaccine prevents four strains of the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus, two of which are found in about 70 percent of all women with cervical cancer. But the new data shows only 34 percent of girls ages 13 to 17 were being vaccinated in six states that were surveyed. 

Arts & Sciences presents Distinguished Alumni Awards, Dean’s Medal

Arts & Sciences recognized the achievements of six alumni during the 13th Annual Arts & Sciences Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony, held April 29 at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. A new tradition was started this year with the addition of an awards dinner hosted by Gary S. Wihl, PhD, dean of the faculty of Arts & Sciences and the Hortense and Tobias Lewin Distinguished Professor in the Humanities, and the Arts & Sciences National Council.

Time to renew U-Pass to ride Metro for free

The employee 2009-10 U-Pass — allowing WUSTL faculty and staff free use of Metro, the region’s public transportation system — will expire June 30. Benefits-eligible employees may request a new U-Pass for the 2010-11 school year at the Parking & Transportation Services Web site, parking.wustl.edu/upass.htm.

Washington University in St. Louis chancellor speaks on global energy future at Shanghai Forum

Washington University Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton delivered a keynote address May 29 at the Shanghai Forum on global energy demands and energy options that are economically and environmentally sustainable. In addition to attending the forum, a summit focused on economic and political progress in Asia, Wrighton received an honorary doctorate from the Chinese Ministry of Education and Fudan University. 

Carson tells graduates about the ‘most valuable possession’

Benjamin S. Carson Sr., MD, director of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, professor of neurosurgery, of oncology, of plastic surgery and of pediatrics at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, spoke to School of Medicine graduates about “The World’s Most Valuable Possession” May 21 at the Ferrara Theatre at America’s Center.

Notables

Of note Deanna Barch, PhD, professor of psychology in Arts & Sciences, has received a one-year, $33,582 subcontract from the University of California, Davis, for research titled “Brain-based Measures for Treatment Development of Impaired Cognition in Schizophrenia.” … William H. Danforth, MD, chancellor emeritus, received the Research Champion Award from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation […]

The great pond experiment

A seven-year experiment shows that pond communities bear the imprint of random events in their past, such as the order in which species were introduced into the ponds. This finding locates one of the wellsprings of biodiversity but also suggests that it may not be possible to restore ecosystems whose history we cannot recreate.