Page 37 – The Source | Washington University in St. Louis

Copycat evolution

Biologist Jonathan Losos, in Arts & Sciences, has documented evidence of a kind of “copycat” evolution between extremely short-faced breeds of cats and dogs. Generations of intentional breeding have led these animals to converge on a rounded, flat-nosed head shape that humans prefer — even though the shape causes a variety of health ailments.

Advancement

School of Law honors 2025 distinguished alumni

The School of Law has recognized six alumni with 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards. These annual awards honor alumni who have obtained distinction in their careers while exemplifying characteristics of leadership, commitment, courage and confidence.

Students

04.28.25

Images from on and around the WashU campuses.

St. Louis Region

Growing Night Off program hosts babysitting event for children with autism

Night Off is exactly that — a break for parents, run by WashU student volunteers, and an opportunity for children on the autism spectrum to make new friends.

Cancer Research

Immunotherapy improves survival of patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer

An international clinical trial co-led by WashU Medicine found that the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab added to standard-of-care therapy improved survival for patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer. Pembrolizumab helps the patient’s own immune cells attack and kill tumor cells.

Awards & Notables

Lenze receives William H. Danforth St. Louis Confluence Award

Shannon Lenze, at WashU Medicine, received the William H. Danforth St. Louis Confluence Award. Lenze was recognized for her partnership with the EleVATE Collaborative to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

Awards & Notables

Four named ACLS fellows

Three Arts & Sciences faculty members and one doctoral candidate have won 2025 fellowships from the American Council of Learned Societies.

Law

Federal court order a victory for rule of law

WashU election law expert Travis Crum said a preliminary injunction blocking two major provisions of a controversial executive order by the Trump administration targeting federal voter registration procedures is a victory for the rule of law.

Advancement

Olin Business School honors 2025 distinguished alumni

Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis honored Lynn Gorguze, PMBA ’86, as the 2025 Dean’s Medalists at the school’s annual Distinguished Alumni Awards dinner March 27.

Students

Class Acts: Gaelen Clayton

Gaelen Clayton has spent a large part of her four years at WashU thinking about goals — setting them academically and scoring them as a midfielder for the women’s soccer team, which just won the Division III national championship.