School of Medicine

Gautam Dantas, PhD, has won a prestigious National Institutes of Health Award for innovative research that may improve scientists’ ability to keep the digestive system healthy.

A recent case-study competition organized by the Health Professional Student Leadership Council allowed students from various programs to learn how to collaborate across disciplines to improve patient care. Pictured is Lana Joseph, a doctoral student in audiology, explaining her thoughts on a case to physical therapy student Kelsi Smith while nursing student Stacie Chaffin listens.

Timothy Eberlein, MD, chairman of the Department of Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been elected president of the Southern Surgical Association.

Discovering ways to honor the dignity of individuals coping with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is the goal of an interdisciplinary symposium on “Finding Humanity in Advanced Dementia” to be held in Wilson Hall on the Danforth Campus of Washington University in St Louis on Saturday, April 27.

Performances of Lucky Stiff, a musical starring and directed and produced by students on the Washington University Medical Campus will be April 25, 26 and 27 in Whelpley Auditorium on the St. Louis College of Pharmacy campus. Shown is Greg Bligard, a third-year MD/PhD student, rehearsing a scene from the show.

The Irving Boime Symposium will be held Thursday, April 18, at the Eric P. Newman Education Center, Seminar Room B, on the Washington University Medical Campus. Shown is Irving Boime, PhD, the namesake and one of the speakers.

Scientists have decoded the genome of the platyfish, a cousin of the guppy and a popular choice for home aquariums. Scientists are interested in the fish because they tend to develop melanomas along the tail and fin.

Michael M. Awad, MD, PhD, has been named associate dean for medical student education at the School of Medicine, effective June 1. Awad is an assistant professor of surgery, program director of the university’s general surgery residency and director of the university’s Institute for Surgical Education.

After the morning rush April 18, the Missouri Department of Transportation will close the Jefferson Avenue bridge over Interstate 64/Highway 40 to prepare for its removal.

Richard K. Wilson, PhD, and colleagues have identified mutations responsible for the most common type of childhood brain cancer and shown that the tumors are susceptible to drugs already in development.