Morris awarded Sloan Research Fellowship

Samantha Morris
Samantha A. Morris, assistant professor of developmental biology and of genetics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has received a Sloan Research Fellowship in Computational and Evolutionary Molecular Biology. Sloan Research Fellowships support promising early-career scientists.

Who Knew WashU? 2.12.20

Question: The nation will celebrate the birthday of George Washington, the university’s namesake, on Monday, Feb. 17. But after whom was the university originally named?

Obituary: Alec Becker, student in Arts & Sciences, 18

Alec Becker, a first-year student in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, died by suicide Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, in his hometown of Dallas. He was 18. Becker only attended Washington University for the fall semester, but friends and faculty who had the opportunity to know Becker say he was thoughtful, warm and spirited. 

Arrokoth close-up reveals how planetary building blocks were constructed

Arrokoth
William B. McKinnon, professor of earth and planetary sciences in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, led one of three new studies that together provide a far more complete picture of the composition and origin of Arrokoth. The new research published in Science points to the resolution of a longstanding scientific controversy about how such primitive planetary building blocks called planetesimals were formed.

‘Tale of Two Cities’ — Day of Dialogue & Action session to explore building a stronger St. Louis for all

Incomes in St. Louis are rising — for white residents. Development is booming — in the central corridor. And the population is rising — in select neighborhoods. “It really is a tale of two cities,” said Henry S. Webber, executive vice chancellor. At the Day of Dialogue & Action on Wednesday, Feb. 19, Webber and Chancellor Andrew D. Martin will ask participants for their ideas about ways to improve the region.

Samuels wins national Architectural Education Award

A community development project led by Linda C. Samuels, associate professor in the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, and Christopher Trumble, associate professor at the University of Arizona, has won a national Architectural Education Award for Collaborative Practice.

Mastercard awards Social Policy Institute $1.5 million grant

Mastercard visit
The Mastercard Impact Fund recently awarded the  Social Policy Institute (SPI) at Washington University in St. Louis a three-year, $1.5 million grant. Mastercard’s founding partnership of the SPI will further strengthen the institute’s ability to use research and data science to impact social policy and to promote inclusive growth in the St. Louis community and beyond.

Tate recognized as influential leader in sociology

Tate-cropped-preferred photo
William F. Tate, vice provost and dean of the Graduate School at Washington University in St. Louis, has been recognized by Education Week as one of the 10 most influential sociology scholars who study education in the United States.