Arts & Sciences

At last count there were three physics PhDs in Congress, five science PhDs total, and 228 senators and congressmen with law degrees. WUSTL postdoctoral fellow in physics Chris Spitzer, who has just been named a Congressional Science Fellow for 2010-2011, is off to Washington to learn and observe but also to do what he can to make sure national policy in areas such as energy and the environment reflects current scientific understanding.

Michelle Tsai, who was born with a congenital heart defect, aims to make a career out of helping children with chronic medical conditions. Getting a dual degree May 21 in psychology and in philosophy-neuroscience-psycholo, she has been chosen by the Record an Outstanding Graduate in the College of Arts & Sciences

Language is a key that opens doors to other cultures and adventures at home and abroad for Spanish and Latin American studies major Grace Van Voorhis, one of the Record‘s 2010 Outstanding Graduates in the College of Arts & Sciences.

Four Arts & Sciences undergraduates have been awarded prestigious national scholarships. Three are receiving the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and one the Morris K. Udall Scholarship for the 2010-11 academic year.

Steven Smith, director of the Weidenbaum Center and political science professor is calling for filibuster reform in the U.S. Senate.  And he’s taking his message to Capitol hill.Smith is participating in a conference sponsored by the Weidenbaum Center and the Brookings Institution on the “State of the Senate” May 17 in Washington D.C. On May 19, Smith will testify before the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to argue his case for reform of the rules that are obstructing and restricting the legislative role of the Senate.

Victor T. Le Vine, PhD, emeritus professor of political science in Arts & Sciences at Washington University and internationally known expert on terrorism, hostage situations, guerrilla warfare and political problems of the Middle East and Africa, died May 7, 2010, at his home in University City. He was 81.

The International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability (I-CARES) has awarded 11 faculty members — university professors undertaking innovative and collaborative research in the broad areas of bioenergy and sustainability — grants totaling nearly $300,000.

Sally Elgin wins award for her commitment to finding new, more powerful ways to teach science and to support teachers in the biological sciences.

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are seeking older volunteers to learn how physical and mental exercise influences brain function and performance of daily activities. For the exercise-training component of the study, researchers will compare aerobic exercise on treadmills or exercise bikes to flexibility training. In the cognitive portion of the study, a specialized brain-training regimen will be compared with a more general health-education program. 

There’s not much Jerome Levy, MD, 75, who graduates May 21 with a Master of Liberal Arts degree in Arts & Sciences, isn’t interested in knowing — and doing. That’s why Levy, emeritus professor of surgery, has been chosen by the Record as an Outstanding Graduate in University College.