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Emergency communication test April 4

Washington University Emergency Management plans to test its emergency communication system at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 4. The test ensures that the university can effectively communicate with its community in an emergency.

Awards & Notables

Mitreva elected to American Academy of Microbiology

Makedonka Mitreva, a professor of medicine and of genetics at the School of Medicine, has been elected to the American Academy of Microbiology in recognition of her contributions to the field of microbiology.

Engineering

Novel process extracts rare earth elements from waste

Young-Shin Jun, a professor at the McKelvey School of Engineering, and her team are extracting valuable rare earth elements from coal fly ash, a fine, powdery waste product from the combustion of coal. The process is ultimately a path toward reducing and remediating waste products.

Advancement

Swan named inaugural Mark Steinberg Weil Professor of Art History and Archaeology

Claudia Swan has been named the inaugural Mark Steinberg Weil Professor of Art History and Archaeology. A lecture and reception to celebrate her appointment were held Feb. 22 in the Kuehner Family Court in Anabeth and John Weil Hall.

Medicine

Paxlovid reduces risk of long-term health problems, death from COVID-19

People infected with COVID-19 who then took the antiviral medication Paxlovid within five days after testing positive experienced a reduced risk of long-term health problems, hospitalization and death for up to six months, according to a study by researchers at the School of Medicine and the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care system.

Obituaries

Susan Shannon, staff member in Arts & Sciences, 60

Susan Shannon, an accounting and payroll assistant in the Office of Graduate Studies in Arts & Sciences, died of cancer March 16, 2023, at her home. She was 60.

Students

WashU Club Gymnastics vaults to the top

Having its most successful year ever, WashU Club Gymnastics boasts 50 members — 30 competitive members who are currently training for the National Association of Intercollegiate Gymnastics Clubs National meet this month in Memphis, Tenn., and another 20 recreational members who attend practices on a drop-in basis. Athletes represent a range of ages and experience levels.

Students

Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week events scheduled

The Graduate Center of the Office of the Provost is hosting a series of events through April 12 in celebration of Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week, an annual event sponsored by the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students.

Psychology

Study: Older adults were better equipped to deal with pandemic-related distress

Image of worried mom comforting depressed crying teen daughter at home.

A new study from psychological and brain sciences in Arts & Sciences finds that one’s ability to cope with stressors, such as the pandemic, hinges heavily on individual personality and emotional characteristics that change with age.

Performing Arts

‘No Boundaries’ MFA dance concert in Edison Theatre

Choreographers Kendra Key and Erin Morris will debut new work in Edison Theatre March 25 as part of “No Boundaries,” the 2022 MFA Student Dance Concert, presented by the Performing Arts Department in Arts & Sciences.