Category: News

Soudah and collaborators review semaglutide’s metabolic and cognitive effects  (Links to an external site)

Hani Soudah, MD, PhD

On March 1, Hani Soudah, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, & Lipid Research at WashU Medicine, along with collaborators, published a new systematic review and meta-analysis examining the broader physiological effects of semaglutide titled “A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Semaglutide Effects on Adipose Tissue and Emerging Effects on Brain and Cognition.” 

Identifying how the body regulates fat breakdown during metabolic stress (Links to an external site)

Irfan Lodhi, PhD, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Lipid Research at WashU Medicine

Irfan Lodhi, PhD, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Lipid Research at WashU Medicine, and collaborators are authors of a study published January 8, 2026, in Nature Metabolism. The article, titled “A catecholamine-independent pathway controlling adaptive adipocyte lipolysis,” investigates how the body breaks down stable fat stores during conditions such as starvation, wasting and cachexia. 

Dr. Tyler Parsons joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Tyler Parsons joins the Department of Medicine in the Division of Oncology as an Instructor as of May 2026. Dr. Tyler Parsons completed his PhD at Oakland University and the Beaumont Research Institute in the Department of Radiation Oncology where he discovered that hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) migrate to solid tumors after […]

WashU Celebration of Inventors 2026 (Links to an external site)

WashU Celebration of Inventors 2026

On May 7, 2026, the Office of Technology Management hosted the ninth annual Celebration of Inventors, an event to honor and recognize Washington University inventors, researchers and faculty entrepreneurs. Honorees included 2025 United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) awardees; newly elected National Academy of Inventors Fellows and Senior Members; and the recipients of the 2026 […]

Registration open: Applied Health Behavior Research (AHBR) Summer Courses

Registration Deadline: Monday, June 1, 2026 The Applied Health Behavior Research Program (AHBR) is designed for professionals who wish to gain a wider perspective of how health behaviors impact clinical outcomes. AHBR is a multi-disciplinary approach to studying the health behaviors and their determinants that affect health outcomes and quality of life. Each course provides a practical […]

April 2026 Kudos and Awards

Thank you, residents and interns, for all you do for one another and for your patients. Though often under-appreciated, your work does not go unnoticed. ​​​​​​​Help us highlight the kindness, clinical skills, and work ethic: submit here. Residents of the Month Dr. Antara Dattagupta: “Despite already being a phenomenal resident, she displayed an unwavering commitment to personal growth, soliciting […]

Jennifer Alexander-Brett, MD, PhD Featured for COPD Research Advances (Links to an external site)

Jennifer Alexander-Brett, MD, PhD

Jennifer Alexander‑Brett, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, has been featured in a recent Nature Biotechnology article highlighting major advances in targeting interleukin‑33 (IL‑33) signaling in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The article, “Newcomer anti‑IL‑33 makes strides in COPD,” underscores the growing impact of IL‑33–focused therapeutics and the importance of foundational biological insight in translating discovery to patient […]

Personalized vaccine shows promise against aggressive brain cancer (Links to an external site)

A WashU Medicine-led clinical trial conducted at Siteman Cancer Center has found that a personalized vaccine to treat glioblastoma is safe and could potentially improve outcomes. Trial participant Kim Garland (left) reviews a scan with the study’s primary investigator, Tanner Johanns, MD, PhD, a WashU Medicine oncologist.

A personalized vaccine to treat glioblastoma, a fast-growing and incurable brain cancer that affects four in 100,000 people in the U.S., is safe and elicits robust and broad immune responses that appears to increase recurrence-free survival in a subset of patients after surgery, according to an early-stage clinical trial co-led by researchers at Washington University […]

2026 Spring Cycle ICTS NIH Mock Study Section Recap (Links to an external site)

Wednesday, April 15, 2026, marks the 15th spring cycle of the ICTS NIH Mock Study Section. Through its Research Development Program, the ICTS offers NIH Mock Study Sections (MSS) that closely simulate an actual NIH study section. These sessions provide detailed, study section–style feedback on complete grant applications for clinical and translational R, K, and […]

People with poor mental health report worse care worldwide (Links to an external site)

A global study of more than 32,000 adults in 18 countries finds that people with poor mental health experience more unmet needs and lower confidence in care. (Photo: Getty Images)

A new multinational study finds that individuals with poor mental health consistently report lower-quality healthcare experiences across diverse health systems. Published May 5 in PLOS Medicine, the study was led by Margaret E. Kruk, MD, of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, in collaboration with an international team of researchers.

WashU Shines at Academic Internal Medicine Week 2026

WashU had a strong and joyful presence at AIMW 2026 in Seattle, WA this year. Not just as participants – as leaders in the national medical education community. A special congratulations Drs. Dennis Chang, Tony Dao, Carol Faulk, Abby Spencer, and Lisa Zickuhr for representing WashU on the national stage through workshops, posters, pre-course, moderated sessions, […]

AGA Awards Cao 2026 Pilot Research Award

Siyan "Stewart" Cao, MD, PhD

Provides support for research on perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease (PFCD) Siyan “Stewart” Cao, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, WashU Medicine Division of Gastroenterology, recently was awarded the 2026 American Gastroenterological Association Pilot Research Award. The AGA Research Foundation Pilot Research Award was presented to fifteen distinguished clinical researchers, providing funding to support early-career investigators in establishing their […]

Renowned Gastroenterology Leader at Siteman Cancer Center Honored for Mentorship (Links to an external site)

Nicholas Davidson, MD

Nicholas O. Davidson, MD, DSc, AGAF, the John E. and Adaline Simon Professor of Medicine and Developmental Biology and chief of the Division of Gastroenterology at WashU Medicine and a nationally recognized physician-scientist who treats patients at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine, is the recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Mentor Award from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). He will […]

Davis Receives 2025 JACC: Heart Failure Top Reviewer Award

John Davis, MD, PhD

John W. Davis, MD, PhD, Resident, WashU Medicine Department Medicine, has been selected for a JACC: Heart Failure Top Peer Reviewer Award. The award was presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26) in New Orleans, recognizing outstanding peer reviewers for the journal during the past year. Davis is one of 20 […]

ICTS Announces 2026-2027 PDSS Awardees (Links to an external site)

Congratulations to Karla Washington, PhD, LCSW, Associate Professor of Medicine who was one of the awardees. The Center for Community Health Partnership and Research is pleased to announce four partnerships were selected to receive 2026-2027 Partnership Development and Sustainability Support (PDSS) funding. These awards provide up to $10,000 in funding over a 12-month period for investigators […]

April 2026 Accolade Recipients – SAFE (Supporting a Fair Environment)

Congratulations to the three Department of Medicine (DOM) Accolade Recipients. Kim, Sarah Internal Medicine Med Firm 1 (Blue) Resident/Clinical Fellow Ross, Ian Internal Medicine Hospitalist at the VA Faculty Parker, Brandon Internal Medicine Vascular Surgery Resident/Clinical Fellow WashU Medicine strives to maintain an environment conducive to learning, research, and high-quality patient care We aspire to […]

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is meant as a day of observance for us to honor those who lost their lives while serving our country in the U.S. military. Originally it was known as Decoration Day, and began in the years following the Civil War and was officially designated a federal holiday in 1971. Many observe Memorial Day […]

Learn Ways to Help Prevent a Stroke for National Stroke Month

Prevention is the best strategy to help avoid having one. When it comes to dealing with strokes, every second truly does matter. Nearly 2 million brain cells die each minute a stroke remains untreated. And every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke. 795,000 strokes happen each year and chances are if you […]

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Let’s break the silence and stigma surrounding mental health by spreading awareness and understanding. Mental health is just as important as physical health, yet it often goes unnoticed or untreated. Here are some key points to consider:

Jewish American Heritage Month (Links to an external site)

Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) is an annual celebration in the United States during May. It recognizes and honors the contributions of Jewish Americans to the country’s history, culture, and society. The idea for JAHM was proposed by Senator Arlen Specter and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz in 2005 to appreciate the achievements of Jewish Americans […]

Celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month (Links to an external site)

May marks the annual celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the United States. In 1978 Congress proclaimed the first week of May as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.” Future Presidents continued this annual proclamation until 1992 when Congress and President George H.W. Bush signed a law designating the month of May to celebrate […]

Grants bolster research on myelodysplastic syndromes (Links to an external site)

Jeremy Baeten, PhD and Matthew Walter, MD

The Edward P. Evans Foundation has awarded three-year, $750,000 Discovery Research Grants to Jeremy Baeten, PhD, an assistant professor of medicine, and Matthew Walter, MD, the Edward P. Evans Endowed Professor of Myelodysplastic Syndromes, both in the Division of Oncology at WashU Medicine. Walter treats patients at Siteman Cancer Center, based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and […]

Dr. Mariya Khan joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Mariya Khan joins the Department of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research as an Instructor as of March 2026. Dr. Khan was born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan. She earned her medical degree from Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi. She also completed her internship and started residency in Pakistan, before […]

March 2026 Kudos and Awards

Thank you, residents and interns, for all you do for one another and for your patients. Though often under-appreciated, your work does not go unnoticed. ​​​​​​​Help us highlight the kindness, clinical skills, and work ethic: submit here. Residents of the Month Dr. David Zhang: “He was an outstanding senior on Cardiology Firm. He led the team with confidence, […]

WashU Nephrology Presents at NKF 2026 Spring Clinical Meetings (Links to an external site)

Anuja Java, MD

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) 2026 Spring Clinical Meetings (SCM) will be held May 6 -10 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, bringing together kidney‑care professionals from across the country for practical education, clinical updates, and multidisciplinary collaboration. WashU Nephrology will be well represented this year by Anuja Java, MD, and Dr. Tingting Li, MD, MSCI, FASN, who […]

Huffman Receives Honorary Professorship at University of Abuja (Links to an external site)

Mark Huffman, MD, MPH, William Bowen Endowed Professor of Medicine in the Cardiovascular Division

Mark Huffman, MD, MPH, William Bowen Endowed Professor of Medicine in the Cardiovascular Division at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been named an honorary professor at the University of Abuja in Nigeria. The appointment recognizes his contributions to cardiovascular research and public health in Nigeria.

2025-2026 Distinguished Service Teaching Awards

Department of Medicine recognized at annual awards ceremony. On March 30, 2026, the annual Distinguished Service Teaching Awards ceremony was held honoring WashU Medicine educators who have made the most significant contributions to the training of future physicians. Established by students and supported by the Office of Medical Student Education, the Distinguished Service Teaching Awards […]

ID Fellowship Program receives continued accreditation (Links to an external site)

WashU Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases co-chief Barbara Trautner, MD, PhD, discusses a patient's case with First Year Fellow Laveena John, MD, visiting medical student Hiyori Mori, medical student Elisa Carrillo, and senior clinical research coordinator Johanan Luna during ID rounds at Wohl Hospital on March 16, 2026.

The Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program at Washington University School of Medicine celebrates its continued accreditation status, effective January 23, 2026, by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The ACGME sets standards for effective educational and training programs, and monitors compliance with those standards.

New software safeguards research participants’ privacy (Links to an external site)

WashU Medicine and University of Michigan researchers developed a software, De-ID, that flags sensitive information in data collected through focus groups, surveys and interviews. It highlights and suggests generic replacements using a color-coding scheme: red for information that has a high risk of identifying someone; yellow for medium-risk information; and blue for low-risk information. Accepted suggestions are highlighted in green, and ignored suggestions in gray.

Which details in a de-identified scientific record are enough to still identify a person? If, for example, the record includes that a person is a CEO, the abundance of CEOs in the world would make identification nearly impossible. If the person is a CEO living in Missouri, the list becomes notably shorter but likely extensive […]