Page 22 – The Source | Washington University in St. Louis

Data & Computer Science

Model developed in Zhang lab recognized by Mozilla

image of "digital lock"

Mozilla AI recently highlighted the PIGuard model developed in the lab of Ning Zhang, a computer scientist at Washington University in St. Louis. The model was among the best at protecting LLMs from prompt injection attacks.

Politics

Assessing geopolitical, economic risks ahead

The markets essentially shrugged when the U.S. removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a special operation. But that could change if the U.S. follows through on other geopolitical threats, says political scientist Timm Betz at Washington University in St. Louis.

Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Assembly Series: Alumnus Sam Goodwin reflects on lessons learned in Syrian prison

Everyone has reckoned with uncertainty. Should I switch majors? Can I be a better leader? Or, in the case of WashU alumnus Sam Goodwin, will I be slaughtered by my Syrian captors? Goodwin speaks about winning through uncertainty at Graham Chapel at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21.

St. Louis Region

Action St. Louis to be honored with Rosa L. Parks Award

Grassroots organization Action St. Louis, led by WashU alumna Kayla Reed, will receive the Rosa L. Parks Award at the 39th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at WashU‘s Graham Chapel.

Awards & Notables

Krawczynski wins prestigious award from the American Astronomical Society

Henric Krawczynski, a physicist at Washington University in St. Louis, has received the prestigious 2026 Bruno Rossi Prize in astrophysics.

Students

1.14.26

A special collection looking back at top WashU images from 2025.

Implant provides lasting relief for treatment-resistant depression

In a new study, WashU Medicine researchers show that vagus nerve stimulation provides substantial, long-lasting relief to some people with the most severe treatment-resistant depression.

St. Louis Region

2025 in review: a look back at WashU’s top stories

In 2025, the WashU community made new discoveries, celebrated new victories and launched new efforts to make the globe safer and healthier.

Data & Computer Science

AI ‘CHEF’ could help those with cognitive declines complete home tasks

A team of WashU researchers has integrated two novel vision-language models that create a potential AI assistant that may help people with cognitive decline cook meals and remain independent.

Students

Civic Fellows applications open

The Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement is accepting applications for its Civic Fellows Program, an intensive 14-month program with a funded summer project.