Page 98 – The Source | Washington University in St. Louis

Bill Smith, former associate vice chancellor, 80

Bill Smith, a longtime employee and former associate vice chancellor at Washington University in St. Louis, died Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024. He was 80.

St. Louis Region

New support for WashU startups, St. Louis region

The WashU Venture Network Follow-on Investments is a joint effort between WashU’s Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the “In St. Louis, For St. Louis” initiative.

Physical Sciences

Field Notes: South Pacific

WashU earth scientists in Arts & Sciences are mapping Earth’s interior and analyzing lava rocks from a volcanic hotspot near the islands of Samoa.

Chemistry

National Academies report highlights high magnetic field science

Sophia Hayes, in Arts & Sciences, co-authored a study on strategic directions guiding high magnetic field science with pursuits in chemistry, medical MRI, low-temperature physics, superconducting materials and fusion. Challenges to the helium supply figured prominently throughout.

Sociology

A conversation with Loretta J. Ross

Loretta J. Ross will be the featured speaker for “Reflecting on Reproductive Justice,” a three-day public symposium hosted Sept. 5-7 by WashU’s Reproductive Justice, Health, Rights working group in Arts & Sciences.

Engineering

Consistency, trustworthiness in large language models goal of new research

An AI image of a brain lit up with light

A computer scientist at Washington University has received funding from Google to improve grounding in large language models.

Art & Design

Sam Fox School fall Public Lecture Series begins Sept. 9

Architect Mimi Hoang, urban planner Toni Griffin and artist Josephine Halvorson are among the internationally renowned creative professionals who will discuss their work for the Sam Fox School’s fall Public Lecture Series.

Engineering

Researchers take cue from vibes of elephants, spiders

An image of two cells stained green to show cell communication

A team of researchers that includes scientists from Washington University have received $1.5 million grant from the Human Frontier Science Program to study a potentially transformative new mode of cell-to-cell communication.

Performing Arts

Black Rep launches 48th season with ‘Blues in the Night’

The Black Rep will launch its 48th season with Sheldon Epps’ beloved musical revue “Blues in the Night.”

Students

WashU community invited to civic dialogue event, meal

A civic dialogue event, The Longest Table, is returning to WashU this fall with a new location and a new topic of conversation. On Thursday, Sept. 5, the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement will welcome students, faculty and staff to Brookings Quadrangle to share dinner and to discuss the upcoming election.