Page 45 – The Source | Washington University in St. Louis

New model from WashU scientists can improve understanding of human attention

complicated series of boxes with arrows and shapes

A new neural network model by researchers at Washington University offers a way to uncover what brain mechanisms are at play when people need to focus amid many distractions.

Neuroscience & Memory

Study identifies brain cells key to understanding other people

Researchers at WashU Medicine Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology have identified specific neuronal cells that are essential to our understanding of other people.

Biology

Helping herps in Central America

Tasman Ezra, a graduate student in biology in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, founded a conservation organization dedicated to conserving reptiles, amphibians and their habitats in Honduras.

Psychology

Project will study struggles facing those with disabilities

an image of Payton Rule sitting at a table

A graduate student in Arts & Sciences at WashU will study ways to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

Engineering

Jun receives women in chemistry award

Young-Shin Jun, a professor at the McKelvey School of Engineering, has been chosen to receive a 2025 Distinguished Women in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering award from the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.

Business & Entrepreneurship

Artificial intelligence comes home

Vanessa Perry, MBA '90, studies the ways that AI is becoming increasingly embedded in the housing market. (Image: Shutterstock)

Vanessa Perry, MBA ’90, helps students and policymakers understand the dangers and benefits of using AI in the housing market.

Campus & Community

Collective action, ongoing advocacy

WashU Advocates are raising awareness about the university’s mission with government officials, communicating how WashU works to solve societal challenges and improve lives.

Arts & Culture

‘A place to develop the work’

As founder and producing director of The Black Rep, Ron Himes has worked with scores of playwrights to stage hundreds of shows, including dozens of world premieres. This spring, The Black Rep will present new plays by two celebrated young dramatists: Melda Beaty’s Coconut Cake and Kelundra Smith’s The Wash.

Campus & Community

Amplifying success

Tom Anderson, BSBA ’96, is a recognized thought leader in the financial services industry. Now based in Chicago, he remains an active and loyal supporter of WashU.

After a remarkable career in the financial services industry, Tom Anderson, BSBA ’96, provides expertise and resources to support WashU.

Literature

Wholly matrimony

In The Wedding People, Alison Espach crafts a bestselling novel that celebrates and skewers our most beloved and absurd ritual, while offering wisdom on how start anew.