Ampersand Magazine

Sharing stories of the incredible people, research, and ideas in Arts & Sciences

Fall 2023 Issue

The Ampersand magazine shares stories of incredible people, research, and ideas in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. It is published semiannually and distributed to alumni, faculty, students, staff, and friends of Arts & Sciences.

The Fall 2023 issue includes stories on:

Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Carl Phillips
A popular undergraduate course on the art and science of cancer care
Faculty research on the evolving nature of work
A record-breaking year for faculty research funding

Read the full issue online

Faculty, Humanities, Alumni, Magazine

'The poem in front of you'

Faculty, Social Sciences, Magazine

The workplace revolution

The art and science of cancer care

A popular Ampersand program for first-year students is preparing the physicians of the future to understand the scientific and social aspects of cancer.

Inside Arts & Sciences' record-breaking year for grant funding

Arts & Sciences reached new heights in 2023, bringing in the most external grant funding in school history and fueling a year of unprecedented discovery across disciplines.

The physicist in the NICU

For the last five years, Nara Higano, PhD ’17, has been using her knowledge of protons and electromagnetism to improve the lives of premature infants at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Presidential prose

Graduate student Ben Noble’s research on the American presidency has launched him into the political science spotlight and landed him a job at one of the top universities in his field.

Finding voice abroad

WashU’s immersive Summer Language Institute helps students hone their language skills and step outside of their comfort zones. Alexis Bentz writes about her "magical" summer in Spain and the experiences that pushed her to make small talk — and big talk — with locals.

Photo essay: Researching retirement in the Himalayas

Sociocultural anthropologist Geoff Childs shares photos from his research in Nepal, where he has spent decades studying demographic trends in a highland Buddhist community.

A distinguished legacy

A new distinguished professorship honors Hungarian-born author and journalist Bela Kornitzer. His life and career inspired his niece, a longtime WashU supporter, to keep his legacy alive.

A final gift

With the Banjanin Family Scholarship, beloved Russian professor Milica Banjanin and her husband created a legacy that will support the next generation of student scholars.

The ‘life-changing’ power of Arts & Sciences programs for high school students

High schoolers have many opportunities to work with Arts & Sciences faculty members, conduct research, and take college-level courses — experiences that often go on to kickstart careers.

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Around the Quad

News, milestones, and spotlights from across Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis.

Hu named inaugural Richard G. Engelsmann Dean of Arts & Sciences
Feng Sheng Hu, dean of Arts & Sciences and the Lucille P. Markey Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences, was installed as the inaugural Richard G. Engelsmann Dean of Arts & Sciences in August.
Goodenough, McKinnon elected to National Academy of Sciences
Ursula W. Goodenough, a professor emerita of biology, and William B. McKinnon, a professor of earth and planetary sciences, both in Arts & Sciences, have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
Radar can help fight wildfires, identify flash-flood risks
Roger Michaelides, assistant professor of Earth and planetary sciences, is co-investigator of a new NOAA-funded project that aims to improve the warning systems for flash floods that often threaten areas ravaged by fire.
Wingfield elected president of American Sociological Association
Adia Harvey Wingfield was elected the 116th president of the American Sociological Association. She will be responsible for leading ASA’s overall strategic direction and policymaking.
Harwell named Udall Scholar
Tori Harwell was named a Udall Scholar, an honor for students with leadership in the areas of the environment and conservation, tribal public policy, or Native American health care.
Fighting loneliness by finding purpose
A study co-authored by Patrick Hill highlights the health benefits of a purposeful life.
African American Studies Summer Institute connects high school teachers to WashU experts, resources
WashU faculty members hosted the African American Studies Summer Institute to connect regional high school teachers to experts and resources in local Black history and culture.
Kastor named associate vice dean of research
In his new role, Peter Kastor will help faculty members in the arts, humanities, and social sciences seek out and apply for external funding.
Glitches in the matrix
As part of the Center for Quantum Leaps, Chong Zu and colleagues study the quantum power of atomic flaws.
Chang and Georgiades named Beckman Scholars
Award from the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation honors “exceptionally talented” undergrads.
Ramos’ ‘Bedlam in the New World’ recognized with third award
Christina Ramos has won the Cheiron Book Prize for her work on the history of the San Hipόlito hospital.
Comparative Politics Annual Conference celebrates 10 years at WashU
This annual political science event brings together students and nationally known scholars for a day of in-depth discussions and networking.
Barch wins Gold Medal Award from the Society of Biological Psychiatry
The award honors “pioneering contributions” to biological psychiatry and recognizes “significant and sustained work that advances and extends knowledge” in the field.

FACULTY BOOKSHELF: ‘THE CAT’S MEOW’

Join Jonathan Losos as he studies the mysteries of feline evolution. From exploring the domestication processes to taking a deep dive into cat behavior, discover new facts about your feline friends through this amazing scientific exploration. Losos is the author of “The Cat’s Meow: How Cats Evolved from the Savanna to Your Sofa.”

Past Issues

Spring 2023 — Features stories on cutting-edge plant research, the relationship between technology and the mind, and the Divided City Initiative.

Fall 2022 — Features stories on environmental injustice, social media bots, and the digital mental health revolution.

Spring 2022 — Features stories on the beauty and power of disorder, using big data to study housing segregation, and the Arts & Sciences Strategic Plan.

Fall 2021 — Features stories on restorative justice in a University City school, the science of living with purpose, and the career of Meenakshi Wadhwa, PhD '94.