Page 6 – The Source | Washington University in St. Louis

Gun violence remains top St. Louis public health concern, but mental health, addiction rising

St. Louis’ top health concerns are shifting. New WashU data shows rising concern over mental health and addiction — even as gun violence still leads.

Sustainability

Leaf-inspired design brings bioplastics to the big leagues

a transparent plastic bag with an apple slice

Using inspiration from the leaf, engineering researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have optimized bioplastics to be stronger and more biodegradable.

Engineering

Xu receives engineering early career award

Lu Xu, an engineer at Washington University in St. Louis, has won the 2025 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environmental Division Early Career Award.

Diversity & Inclusion

Committee appointed, has begun work to develop guidance in support of inclusive excellence at WashU

A committee of WashU faculty and administrators has begun its work with general counsel to develop guidance for leaders, staff and students.

Appointments & Promotions

WashU Medicine dean search committee appointed

Washington University underscored its commitment to the neurosciences by building an 11-story hub on the Medical Campus — dedicated as the Jeffrey T. Fort Neuroscience Research Building Jan. 18 — that enables researchers to work more collaboratively and creatively. (Photo: Matt Miller/Washington University School of Medicine)

Chancellor Andrew D. Martin has appointed a committee to begin the process of identifying the next dean of WashU Medicine. David H. Perlmutter, MD, will conclude his deanship in June 2026.

Medicine

One patient’s story inspired emergency room physician to develop Hospital to Housing program

Randall Jotte, MD, a professor of emergency medicine at WashU Medicine, is a driving force behind the innovative Hospital to Housing program to stabilize the lives of high-frequency users of hospital emergency rooms.

Students

Rural Scholars Academy grows, builds on success

WashU’s Rural Scholars Academy welcomed its third cohort of high school juniors to campus this month for college classes, admissions workshops and field trips to St. Louis attractions. Ten members of the academy’s first class will attend WashU this fall, many on full scholarships.

Art & Design

‘Making Their Mark: Works from the Shah Garg Collection’

This fall, the Kemper Art Museum at Washington University in St. Louis will present “Making Their Mark: Works from the Shah Garg Collection.” Spanning nearly eight decades and featuring nearly 70 artists, the survey places leading contemporary practitioners in dialogue with an earlier generation of artists whose work anticipated current discussions of figuration and abstraction as well as identity and power.

Advancement

Transformative $15 million gift bolsters WashU Medicine’s physician-scientist training program

Renowned physician-scientist and pharmaceutical executive P. Roy Vagelos, MD, and his wife, Diana, have pledged $15 million to support the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at WashU Medicine. In recognition of the couple’s generosity, the program has been named the Roy Vagelos Medical Scientist Training Program.

Architecture

WashU architecture in Venice

Six projects created by Sam Fox School faculty, students and alumni are featured in the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale and associated exhibitions.