Page 17 – The Source | Washington University in St. Louis

Gary Wihl, former dean in Arts & Sciences, 72

Gary Wihl, the Hortense and Tobias Lewin Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Humanities, died July 17 in Clayton, Mo., after battling Parkinson’s disease. He was 72. Wihl served as dean of Arts & Sciences from 2009 to 2012.

Climate & Environment

Sun exposure changes chemical fate of littered face masks

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis reveal that discarded face masks undergo photochemical changes, influencing their surrounding environment.

Medicine

Immune ‘bouncers’ protect the brain from infection

A new study by WashU Medicine researchers found that, in mice, histamine-releasing immune cells protect the brain from infection.

Neuroscience & Memory

Researchers identify brain cells key to facial recognition

A team led by WashU Medicine radiology associate professor Shuo Wang has identified neurons that appear to play a key role in our ability to recognize people.

Cancer Research

AI-based breast cancer risk technology receives FDA Breakthrough Device designation

AI-based technology developed at WashU Medicine that improves breast cancer risk prediction has received Breakthrough Device designation from the Food and Drug Administration.

Advancement

WashU, MilliporeSigma sign collaboration agreement

A project that could help scientists identify novel ways to fight disease is one of the research efforts that will get a significant boost under a new collaboration agreement that Washington University in St. Louis has signed with science and technology company MilliporeSigma.

Law

Richards serves as privacy ombudsman in 23andMe bankruptcy case

WashU privacy law expert Neil Richards had a unique opportunity this year to put his training to use: He was named an ombudsman to guide the courts on how genetic data owned by 23andMe should be handled during its sale.

Sustainability

WashU Arboretum wins national honor

Ashe’s Magnolia/Magnolia ashei (Photo: Thomas Malcowicz)

The WashU Arboretum, home to more than 7,000 trees, has received a national sustainability honor.

Biology

Biologist Zhong to study how plants deal with nutrient stress

Xuehua Zhong in Arts & Sciences has won a $1.1 million grant from the National Science Foundation for research aimed at developing more resilient crops that can adapt to changing environmental conditions and support sustainable agriculture.

Students

Kessler Scholars grant extended

Building on strong early outcomes, WashU has been awarded a $1.1 million four-year grant to extend its participation in the Kessler Scholars Collaborative and deepen its work to assure opportunity and success outcomes for first-generation, limited-income college students.