McKelvey School of Engineering

Biomedical sensors using metal nanoparticles hold great promise for the early detection of disease. But the current class of sensors has little or no shelf life, and creating and using them is expensive. Srikanth Singamaneni, PhD, assistant professor of materials science in the School of Engineering & Applied Science, plans to develop a low-cost biosensor that is more stable, sensitive and specific with funds from a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award he has received from the National Science Foundation.

Explore Engineering, a daylong community outreach event sponsored by Washington University School of Engineering & Applied Science, allows students to work with Washington University Engineering faculty and students and get hands-on experience in engineering projects to promote critical thinking.

PARC and I-CARES recently honored three seniors who completed the Certificate in Renewable Energy and the Environment, which allows students to pursue interdisciplinary energy studies in addition to their academic major.

Tae Seok Moon, PhD, assistant professor of energy, environmental & chemical engineering, has been named a Grand Challenges Explorations winner, an initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.Moon will pursue an innovative global health and development research project titled “Programmed Killing of Parasite Eggs by Probiotic Organisms.”

Five Washington University scientists, including Jung-Tsung Shen, PhD, recently received Bear Cub grants. The funding helps researchers commercialize their discoveries.

Engineering students Andrew Brimer and Abigail Cohen have created a low-cost, portable spirometer which they hope will revolutionize the way asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases are diagnosed and treated. They credit the entrepreneurial spirit of Washington University with helping to nuture and push their device along.

Four startup companies with ties to Washington University in St. Louis have received $50,000 each in the Arch Grants 2013 Global Startup Competition designed to stimulate and support the early stage entrepreneurial community in St. Louis.

The International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability (I-CARES) has announced the award winners for its 2013 Call for Proposals. This year, special emphasis was placed on projects related to climate change.

High school students competed at the annual Boeing Engineering Challenge at the WU Field House May 3. About 100 area high school students from six school districts on 25 teams visited the WUSTL campus to take part in the Boeing Challenge. The teams competed to determine which glider had the farthest flight, straightest path, longest hang time or highest quality of flight. Pictured are Eureka High School students who built a glider.

Dedric A. Carter, PhD, has been named associate dean for international education and research and professor of the practice in the School of Engineering & Applied Science at Washington University in St. Louis.