Page 31 – The Source | Washington University in St. Louis

Measuring the stars

WashU’s Performing Arts Department in Arts & Sciences will present “Silent Sky,” which explores the life and work of celebrated astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, in the A.E. Hotchner Studio Theatre Nov. 20-23.

Students

Seniors Abdelmoity, Karinshak were Rhodes Scholars finalists

Washington University in St. Louis seniors Omar Abdelmoity and Marilee Karinshak were finalists for the Rhodes Scholarship, one of the globe’s highest academic honors.

Obituaries

Brian Van Tine, professor of medicine, 53

Brian A. Van Tine, MD, PhD, a nationally recognized leader in sarcoma research at WashU Medicine, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital following an acute illness. He was 53.

Space

A new angle of study for unveiling black hole secrets

a balloon and large crane lifting a satelite

Physicists from Washington University in St. Louis share results from an international collaboration for measuring the hard X-ray polarization from the black hole Cygnus X-1.

Advancement

Knight installed as Bank of America Professor

Andrew Knight, an expert in organizational behavior at Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis, was recently installed as the Bank of America Professor.

Medicine

WashU Medicine students treat patients at Pro Bono Health Clinic

The WashU Medicine Pro Bono Health Clinic offers free occupational therapy, physical therapy and medical services to uninsured community members in the St. Louis area.

Awards & Notables

Leahy honored for commitment to tax community

Angie L. Leahy, associate vice chancellor for finance and controller at WashU, is the recipient of the prestigious National Association of College and University Business Officers Tax Award.

Awards & Notables

Ten WashU faculty recognized among top St. Louis educators

Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award graphic

Ten Washington University in St. Louis faculty members have been selected as 2025 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award recipients.

Neuroscience & Memory

Creed to study dopamine system changes in chronic nerve pain

Meaghan Creed, an associate professor of anesthesiology at WashU Medicine, has received a $3.3 million five-year grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to study dopamine system changes underlying depression symptoms in people with chronic neuropathic pain.

History & Education

College remains a strong investment — even with student debt, study finds

Even after factoring in student loan payments, completing a college degree continues to pay off, according to new research from Washington University in St. Louis’ Center for Social Development at the Brown School.