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Damage early in Alzheimer’s disease ID’d via novel MRI approach

New research from Washington University School of Medicine shows that this novel MRI approach can identify brain cell damage in people at early stages of Alzheimer’s, before tissue shrinkage is visible on traditional MRI scans.

Putin, Russian security and the invasion of Ukraine

In the post-Cold War era, the gradual emergence of an independent Ukrainian identity has threatened Kremlin ambitions for a unified Slavic whole, writes WashU’s Krister Knapp.

Performing Arts

PAD presents ‘Rent’ March 3-6

Things are hard. Sickness rages. Money is tight and the landlord’s mad. The stage is set for “Rent,” Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning rock musical about young artists struggling to survive in New York’s East Village.

Awards & Notables

Grossman, Henderson honored by international blood association

The Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies recently honored Brenda J. Grossman, MD, and Jeffrey P. Henderson, MD, noted researchers at Washington University School of Medicine, with a 2021 President’s Award for their work as part of the COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Project Group.

St. Louis Region

St. Louis students compete at annual Brain Bee

About 50 high school students from across the St. Louis region gathered online Feb. 27 to test their knowledge of the brain and to learn about neuroscience research and careers at the St. Louis Area Brain Bee, an annual event hosted by Washington University.

Mental Health

Risk of schizophrenia assessed with new screening tool

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine and colleagues in Kenya have shown that a screening tool developed at the university can help predict in about 5 minutes whether young people are at high risk and may go on to develop schizophrenia.

Appointments & Promotions

Spinks named Danforth Scholars director

Sean Spinks, former director of academic success at Harris-Stowe State University, has been appointed director of the Danforth Scholars program at Washington University, according to Anna Gonzalez, vice chancellor for student affairs. Spinks, who began Feb. 1, is the program’s first full-time director.

Appointments & Promotions

An to lead Biomedical MR Center

Hongyu An, professor of radiology at the School of Medicine, is the new chief of the Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Lab (BMRL) in the Division of Radiological Sciences.

Humanities & Society

The transformative power of teaching and research

Peggie Smith is a champion for strengthening the rights and legal protections of domestic workers, particularly Black women. Smith became interested in the issue while in graduate school, realizing that there was little research and effort at the time around such laborers’ particular concerns and perspectives. She credits her first-grade teacher, with whom she still keeps in touch, with inspiring her to go into teaching rather than practicing law.

Business & Entrepreneurship

Better decisions, better choices

Every day we make thousands of decisions, from the small – what to eat? what to wear? – to the potentially life-changing choices involving our health or financial future. Olin Business School consumer behavior psychologist Hannah Perfecto does her research at the juncture of judgment and decision-making and has learned none of it has to be so hard.