Page 183 – The Source | Washington University in St. Louis

Remembrance committee established, begins work

Washington University has established the Committee to Examine Remembrance and Commemoration to evaluate professorships, buildings and other honors named for people to ensure such recognition aligns with the university’s values and, where needed, to confront history and to learn from the past.

Awards & Notables

Isakov named an Astronaut Scholar

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation has named Washington University rising senior Avital Isakov an Astronaut Scholar. The prestigious fellowship is for college juniors and seniors who are studying science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

Engineering

Engineering team receives $3.6M to combat plastic waste

Washington University is leading a new effort to address the grand challenge of developing the next generation of high-performance, sustainably sourced and biodegradable plastics that advance engineering while also protecting the environment.

Engineering

Preterm births could be predicted at around 31 weeks

Researchers at the McKelvey School of Engineering are developing better ways to predict preterm birth by analyzing electrical activity during pregnancy. Arye Nehorai’s lab uses electrical activity and deep learning to make predictions.

Obituaries

Zachary Porter, Arts & Sciences student, 20

Zachary Porter, a rising junior in Arts & Sciences, drowned May 21 while walking on tidal mud flats near Hope, Alaska. He was 20.

St. Louis Region

Philanthropy Lab course grants $40,000 to local nonprofits

Students in the “Philanthropy Lab” course granted $40,000 to four local nonprofit groups. The course, offered by Arts & Sciences in partnership with the Gephardt Institute, gives students a theoretical and practical understanding of philanthropy today.

Cultural Studies

Book explores ChatGPT’s power to revolutionize research

Artificial intelligence can turn from a mere tool into a full-fledged partner in the research process. A new book from a faculty member at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis serves as a guide to the future of research.

Appointments & Promotions

Bogost named Barbara and David Thomas Distinguished Professor

Ian Bogost has been named the Barbara and David Thomas Distinguished Professor at Washington University in St. Louis.

Neuroscience & Memory

Wearable, light-based brain-imaging tech to be commercialized with aid of NIH grant

Wearable brain-imaging tech aims to reveal how the brain works in natural, realistic situations. Washington University researchers received a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to develop and commercialize a brain-imaging cap that uses LED light to gauge brain activity.

Cultural Studies

Study: ‘Counter-stereotypical’ messaging can move needle on vaccinations

A large-scale study led by Olin Business School researcher Brad Larsen to see if politically partisan cues can induce people to get COVID-19 vaccines found that, yes, they can.