Page 9 – The Source | Washington University in St. Louis

Sports participation shields against suicide risk in teens, preteens — but fewer are taking the field

Public health researcher Massy Mutumba finds sports participation lowers suicide risk for teens — but warns access is shrinking just as mental health needs are surging.

Biology

Religion, politics and war drive urban wildlife evolution

The downstream consequences of religion, politics and war can have far-reaching effects on the environment and on the evolutionary processes affecting urban organisms, according to a new analysis from Washington University in St. Louis.

Appointments & Promotions

Board of Trustees elects new members

The Washington University in St. Louis Board of Trustees has elected a new trustee to a four-year term. In addition, a new vice chair and four undergraduate and graduate student representatives were elected for the 2025–26 academic year.

Appointments & Promotions

West appointed provost at Washington University in St. Louis

Mark D. West, a renowned legal scholar and former dean of the University of Michigan Law School, has been appointed provost of Washington University in St. Louis, effective August 1, according to Chancellor Andrew D. Martin.

Mental Health

Early intervention changes trajectory for depressed preschoolers

A specialized approach to treating childhood depression developed by WashU Medicine researchers leads to long-term remission and other benefits, according to a new study.

Campus & Facilities

WashU PD active shooter drill July 9

WashU Police Department shield on window

The Washington University Police Department will conduct its biannual active shooter training exercise July 9 on the South 40 area of the Danforth Campus.

Disparity

Brown School faculty win $1.4M grant to study economic mobility, wealth gaps

Two Brown School faculty members have been awarded a combined $1.4 million in grants from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to support research focused on improving economic mobility and reducing wealth disparities.

Appointments & Promotions

Friend named chair of mechanical engineering, materials science

James Friend, of the University of California, San Diego, has been named chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science in the McKelvey School of Engineering. His appointment will begin in 2026.

Medicine

Region’s first patient receives sickle cell gene therapy

The first sickle cell disease patient in the St. Louis region has been successfully treated by WashU Medicine physicians at St. Louis Children’s Hospital with a gene therapy newly approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Medicine

Ornitz receives NIH grant to study lung development

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded David M. Ornitz, MD, PhD, of WashU Medicine, $740,000 annually for four years to support research aimed at understanding respiratory complications associated with premature birth.