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WashU Expert: Preventing WannaCry, other ransomware attacks

The newest computer ransomware to hit on a global scale first appeared late last week. Dubbed “WannaCry,” the malware attacks computers, then demands a ransom in Bitcoin to regain the ability to access files. A cybersecurity expert at Washington University in St. Louis says programmers were aware of the potential trouble months ago, but playing catch-up to remedy the problem is difficult.
Science & Technology

STEM students who learn by example may miss key concepts

chemistry bottles - creative commons
No matter how smart, well-prepared or hard-working, many college students struggle with rigorous introductory science courses because their approach to learning fails to provide a working knowledge of abstract concepts that underlie examples presented in the classroom, suggests new research from Washington University in St. Louis.
Arts & Culture

Class Acts: Designing for the social good

Architect and urban designer Anu Samarajiva is deeply attuned to the particularity of place and to the ways social networks shape our experience of the built environment. She graduates wanting to help people think about how social, political and economic systems impact their lives.

Moron-Concepcion, Rodebaugh receive Brain & Behavior research grants

Washington University in St. Louis researchers Jose A. Moron-Concepcion and Thomas Rodebaugh are among 40 scholars selected to receive 2017 Independent Investigator grants from the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, one of the top nongovernmental funders of mental health research grants.
Campus & Community

Graduate student speaker Wei Zhu adds a JD to her PhD and MBA

With a master’s degree in statistics, a PhD in chemical engineering, an MBA and, soon, a JD from Washington University School of Law, Wei Zhu is clearly brilliant. But also, perhaps, a little crazy? “Oh yes,” Zhu said with a laugh. “I am definitely crazy.” She will serve as the graduate student speaker at Commencement on May 19.
Science & Technology

Researchers to model brain’s memory network

Washington University in St. Louis brain scholars will join teams from four other universities in a five-year, $7.5 million research project that aims to build and test the most comprehensive model yet of how people understand and remember events.

New class of Civic Scholars named

Civic Scholars group photo
The Gephardt Institute has named its Class of 2019 group of Civic Scholars. Sixteen sophomores, in Arts & Sciences and the Sam Fox School, have been chosen for the program’s latest cohort.
Campus & Community

Beginning the east end transformation

East end groundbreaking ceremony
Washington University in St. Louis is embarking on a major transformation of the east end of its Danforth Campus. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held May 5 to recognize the generous donors who made the project possible and to mark the planned start of construction May 22.

Webb wins Quatrano Prize

John Webb, a senior majoring in biology, with a concentration in neuroscience, and in Japanese language and culture, all in Arts & Sciences, has been awarded the Ralph S. Quatrano Prize.