Washington University School of Medicine Digital Commons@Becker

Washington University Record Washington University Publications

9-8-2006 Washington University Record, September 8, 2006

Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/record

Recommended Citation "Washington University Record, September 8, 2006" (2006). Washington University Record. Book 1081. http://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/record/1081

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Washington University Publications at Digital Commons@Becker. It has been accepted for inclusion in Washington University Record by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons@Becker. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Medical News: $13 million West County Cultural gem: Black Rep launches f* Washington People: Eagon helps outpatient orthopaedic center under way 30th anniversary season at Edison obese patients regain self-esteem 8

Sept. 8, 2006 Volume 31 No. 5 ^fehington University in StlDuis Campus named for Danforths Dedication to University, students Danforth Foundation has funded were hallmark of chancellorship countless education opportunities

BY ANDY CLENDENNEN homeless, elderly and youth. The Central Reform Congregation re- In 1997 — fully 70 years after its incep- ceived the 2000 "I Dare You" award. tion — the Danforth Foundation took a "Even more than the money, it was a bold step. challenge to continue the legacy of'I Dare The trustees analyzed the foundation You,' the Danforth brothers' grandfather's priorities and noted that the St. Louis re- little red book of how to live," says Susan gion faced many critical quality-of-life is- Talve, senior rabbi at Central Reform Con- sues and problems in the areas of econom- gregation. "I buy the book and give them ic viability, housing, health and the envi- out all the time. Its message inspires indi- ronment, physical infrastructure and edu- viduals and institutions and communities cation. and maybe even nations to act reasonably They believed the foundation could and become part of a community to make have the greatest a more loving impact if it con- world." centrated its re- Those sources exclu- words pretty sively on the well sum up St. Louis metro the first area. William H. fir ~fM Chancellor William H. Danforth, M.D., enjoys time with University students. So, on May Danforth Danforth and his late wife, Elizabeth (Ibby) Gray Danforth, took great pride in their 31, 1997, based (1870-1955) rapport with the students. "Others may talk about wanting to establish an extended ^ttfeki ^*IP^ on the recom- and how he family atmosphere on their campuses, but I strongly suspect none other than the Danforths have succeeded in doing so," says Edward N. Wilson, Ph.D., professor mendation of lived his life. of mathematics in Arts & Sciences and grand marshal of Commencement. trustees and After gradu- members of the ating from the BY ANDY CLENDENNEN ensure the Danforth imprint remains as corporation, the Manual Train- long as there is a Washington University. Danforth Foun- ing School and Perhaps no name is as recognizable — On Sept. 17, the Hilltop Campus will dation ceased to Washington or has been as important to the suc- be named the Danforth Campus in a cere- be a national University, cess of Washington University — as mony from 3:30-5 p.m. in Graham foundation. Danforth William H. (Bill) Danforth, his late wife, Elizabeth founded — at the name Danforth. Chapel. The naming of the campus is to And St. Louis (Ibby), and John C. Danforth at the 1995 Com- From William H. Danforth, who estab- honor the legacy of Chancellor Emeritus benefited. The mencement. On that day — May 19 — Bill pre- age 24 — a lished the Danforth Foundation in 1927; to William H. Danforth and his late wife, foundation sided over his last Commencement; Ibby re- horse and mule his son, Donald Danforth, who served as Elizabeth (Ibby) Gray Danforth; the Dan- broadened the ceived an honorary doctor of humanities; and feed company, chair of the Danforth Foundation from forth family and its contributions; and the focus of its re- John delivered the Commencement address. the Robinson- 1955-1965; to a grandson, also William H., support of the Danforth Foundation. The gional philan- Danforth Co., who served as chancellor of the University ceremony is open to the public, but regis- thropy to include important civic and based on the idea that farmers would wel- for 24 years (1971-1995); to another son, tration is required at danforthcampus community projects, as well as education. come an opportunity to purchase pre- John C. Danforth, who chaired the founda- .wustl.edu. One of the results of this redirection of pared animal feed. tion upon his retirement after 18 years in "Naming the main campus the Dan- priorities was the $100,000 "I Dare You" A month later, a tornado demolished the U.S. Senate in 1997, the Danforth name forth Campus is a wonderful double play," award to challenge the metro St. Louis the company. has made an indelible imprint on the Uni- says Frank H.T. Rhodes, president emeri- community to create a "religious renais- Danforth then assumed leadership, put versity. tus of Cornell University. "It's a great trib- sance." Over a four-year period, the award all of his remaining resources on the line And Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton and ute to the Danforth family, especially to recognized a religious congregation for its and rebuilt the enterprise. The company the Board of Trustees have taken steps to See Danforth, Page 4 community outreach efforts to the poor, See Foundation, Page 5

Hoal's firm to lead rebuilding of New Orleans Joint task force addresses BY LIAM OTTEN particular heritages," Hoal ex- from a field of 65 national and in- plained. "You can't just formulate ternational firms, will have pri- The French Quarter, the Garden a generic proposal. mary responsibility for planning 1-64 construction concerns District, the Treme, the Lower "New Orleans has fabulous ar- in Districts 2 and 13. Ninth Ward. Perhaps more than chitecture, but New Orleans is re- District 2, split almost equally BY BETH MILLER cine campuses and medical any other American city, New ally about a kind of spirit," Hoal between high ground and low center institutions is studying Orleans is a collection of individ- continued. "The individual will to ground, is a pie-shaped area WUSTL and BJC HealthCare how the project might affect ual neighborhoods — 72 in all — rebuild homes wedged between downtown and are working with the Mis- employees, students, patients each with its own history and is simply amaz- uptown along the Mississippi souri Department of Trans- and others, addressing con- culture. ing. Our chal- River. This district is probably portation (MoDOT) to ensure cerns and working to develop In many ways, these neighbor- lenge is to craft best known for the historic Gar- that the $535 million recon- alternatives and solutions to hoods represent both the key and a plan that ac- den District, home to a famously struction of Highway 40 has minimize the inconvenience the key challenge to rebuilding the commodates well-preserved collection of the smallest possible impact for the University and BJC city, said John Hoal, Ph.D., associ- the character of Southern mansions. on employees, students and communities. ate professor of architecture in the each area while Other areas include the work- patients. "Our joint task force has Sam Fox School of Design & Vi- also recognizing ing-class Irish Channel and the The project, called The New made MoDOT officials and the sual Arts. the rebuilding predominantly African-American 1-64, will replace 12 miles of involved construction firms Hoal Recently Hoal's firm, H3 Stu- people have al- Central City neighborhood, the highway, interchanges and aware of the unique role we dio Inc., was one of five selected ready done." latter of which sustained signifi- more than 40 bridges from play in providing critical to lead the Unified New Orleans Hoal spent most of the sum- cant flood damage. west of Spoede Road to Sarah health-care services for our Plan, which will coordinate re- mer developing H3 Studio's pro- District 13 is located across Street, just east of Boyle Av- community and has proposed building in the city's 13 planning posal and made a formal commu- the river on the Mississippi's west enue. In addition, the depart- several ideas for sequencing districts. Another 10 firms, in- nity presentation Aug. 1. Final se- bank, on a large swath of land ment will rebuild Interstate 170 the highway construction proj- cluding St. Louis-based HOK, will lections were announced Aug. 28, formed by a sharp bend in the from south of Brentwood ect in a manner that would generate plans at the neighbor- marking the one-year anniversary river. Predominantly a conserva- Boulevard to Eager Road. preserve access to the medical hood level. of New Orleans Mayor Ray tion area, it includes the lower- to A joint task force made up center campus," said James P. "The challenge is to rebuild Nagin's mandatory evacuation middle-income communities of of representatives from the Crane, M.D., associate vice these very distinct neighborhoods order. New Aurora as well as the subur- Danforth and School of Medi- See Highway, Page 2 in ways that recognize their very H3 Studio, which was selected See Hoal, Page 2 2 RECORD WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS Program taps Rank's book, freshmen debate poverty

BY NEIL SCHOENHERR

The annual Freshman Reading "It provides new stu- Program, now in its fourth dents with a forum for year, helps incoming stu- dents tap into their potential and exchanging ideas with prepare for the spirit of inquiry other students on their and debate that is integral to the WUSTL academic community. residence hall floor. The program, aimed at pro- Some faculty members viding students with an opportu- nity to meet and interact with a are continuing the con- member of the WUSTL faculty in versation with their an informal discussion outside the boundaries of the classroom group via e-mail." and formal academic require- KAREN LEVIN COBURN ments, focused this year on a book by Mark R. Rank, Ph.D., the Herbert S. This moderately heavy westbound traffic on Highway 40-lnterstate 64 at Hampton Avenue may be Hadley Profes- challenges readers to ask new reduced to just one lane in each direction when the $535 million New 1-64 construction project gets sor of Social questions." under way next year. Welfare in the The goal of the program, Co- George Warren burn said, is to reach freshmen Connection Committee, an infor- MoDOT will post its construc- Brown School before they arrive on campus Highway mation and communications tion schedule on the New 1-64 of Social Work. to help them focus on skills conduit between transportation Web site (thenewi64.org) to let Over the they will continue to cultivate Team considers ways officials and the public. motorists know what is scheduled summer, in- throughout the year and their "While we support the im- for that day, that week and that Rank to lessen inconvenience provement of the highway, we month, Wilson said. She also rec- coming fresh- entire college careers. - from Page 1 men were sent Rank's book, One "This is a great opportunity knew it was important to provide ommended that motorists start Nation, Underprivileged: Why for freshmen to challenge them- transportation officials with fac- using www.GatewayGuide.com, American Poverty Affects Us All. selves, to meet members of the chancellor for clinical affairs, chief tual information on the conse- which has cameras on all major Freshmen gathered Aug. 28 faculty and to engage in dialogue executive officer of the Faculty quences to patient care and safety highways in the area. at various locations around the with their classmates," she said. Practice Plan and leader of the if there was not thoughtful plan- "It's not too early to be think- Hilltop Campus to participate in "It provides new students with a joint task force. ning around the issue of traffic ing ahead about the impact of the faculty-facilitated discussions of forum for exchanging ideas with Crane stressed that the joint management during construc- project on your commute and the book, in which Rank presents other students on their residence task force would be working with tion," Fowler said. other commitments such as a compelling argument that po- hall floor. Some faculty members administrators and clinical man- MoDOT expects to choose a dropping off and picking up verty is now a condition experi- are continuing the conversation agers to provide visitors and pa- contractor by the end of this year, children or activities after work," enced by the majority of Ameri- with their group via e-mail." tients with information to make said Linda Wilson, community said Ann Prenatt, vice chancellor cans at some point in their life- Freshmen will encounter their trips to both campuses and relations manager for the New I- for human resources at the Uni- times and is a condition that im- themes from One Nation during physicians' offices as smooth as 64 project. The contractor then is versity. "We all need to be think- pacts all of U.S. society. More the semester in classes, discus- possible. expected to begin work next ing about what we may have to than 70 faculty members led dis- sions and on-campus program- June Fowler, BJC vice president spring with a finishing date of change and start looking at the cussions, including Chancellor ming. The programs are further of corporate and public communi- Oct. 1, 2010. alternatives so that we have a plan Emeritus William H. Danforth. explorations of the issues raised cations, sits on MoDOT's 1-64 When construction begins, in place ahead of time." "We wanted to choose a book in the book and the "higher sense that would generate thought-pro- of purpose" theme, which com- voking discussions between facul- plements the Danforth Campus Transportation alternatives ty members and students," said dedication celebration and lec- Karen Levin Coburn, assistant ture series. Students also will vice chancellor for students and work with a portion of the text The University already has benefits-eligible faculty and staff counties in Illinois. Go online dean for the freshman transition during the "Writing 1: Writing several alternatives in place to free access to the MetroBus and to ridefinders.org for informa- and a member of the reading Culture" course at some point in lessen the impact of the construc- MetroLink through the Metro Uni- tion. Employees also can set up program steering committee. their freshman year. tion. versal Pass. The arrangement pro- their own carpools with neigh- "Professor Rank's book raises For more information and a MetroLink vides about 25,000 members of the bors or friends who also work questions of the individual's role list of upcoming events, go online MetroLink opened its Cross WUSTL community with reduced at the University. in the structure of society and to frp.wustl.edu. County Extension Aug. 28, commuting costs and the advan- Guaranteed Ride Home adding eight miles of light rail tages of public transportation. WUSTL participates in the service across seven St. Louis The Parking and Transporta- Guaranteed Ride Home Pro- County municipalities. Addition- tion Office's Web site (transporta- gram through Citizens for ally, MetroBus service routes were tion.wustl.edu) provides informa- Modern Transit. The program Visitors must pass control points redefined to better coordinate tion about other transportation enables employees who carpool, routes and minimize transfers. alternatives available to employees take Metro or ride their bicycle at Whitaker, West Campus lots The University's Gold, Red and students as well as a link to to work to take a discounted and Blue shuttle lines have been Metro's TripFinder feature taxi ride home if they or an im- The parking lot adjacent to the The location will be staffed. phased out and replaced with {tripfinder.metrostlouis.org),-which mediate family member be- Whitaker Hall for Biomedical Controlled parking also has Metro service that largely will fol- allows users to enter their start comes sick, or if they have un- Engineering, near the intersection been implemented at the West low the same routes and sched- and end points and find a public expected, unscheduled over- of Parkway and Campus east surface lot. Permit ules previously served by the Uni- transportation route that con- time. Citizens for Modern Tran- Skinker Boulevard, is now a con- holders and others validated for versity's shuttles. The University forms to their schedules. sit covers 80 percent of the trolled-access lot. this area must pass a control also will provide a "Hilltop Cam- RideFinders and carpooling trip's cost up to $40 per emer- Permit holders and visitors point near the West Campus Li- pus/South 40 Circulator" that will RideFinders is a regional gency ride home. Go online must pass a control point near brary for access to the lot. Visitors provide shuttle service from the rideshare program that helps to cmt-stl.org for more infor- Whitaker Hall to enter the lot. will be charged a $ 1 hourly rate new MetroLink station at Skinker commuters find other commuters mation. Those entering without a permit for parking upon exit. This loca- Boulevard and Forest Park Park- for carpools or vanpools. Bicycling to work will be charged $10 to park. Uni- tion also will be staffed. way, to various locations around RideFinders assists commuters Bicycle racks are located versity departments can make The changes were made to dis- the Hilltop Campus and the working in St. Louis City; St.' around the campus near many arrangements in advance with courage parking on campus lots South 40. Louis, Franklin, Jefferson and St. buildings for the convenience of Parking and Transportation Ser- by customers riding MetroLink. Starting July 1, WUSTL began Charles counties in Missouri; and employees who choose to ride vices to extend the University rate For more information, go on- offering its full-time students and Madison, St. Clair and Monroe their bikes. of $5 to those attending events. line to parking.wustl.edu.

largely escaped flooding, portions that's an incredibly important les- Fox School's Master of Urban plan to the Louisiana Recovery of Milan and Central City were son," Hoal explained. "What do Design program; Hoeferlin for Authority by early 2007. Follow- Hoal inundated and the latter also was you do next? What is the role of the undergraduate College of Ar- ing a ratification process, the re- Firm's aim is to present hard-hit by post-Katrina crime. design? How do you address the chitecture. Both studios follow covery plan will be used to guide plan by early 2007 Still, Hoal is optimistic. needs of people whose lives have the school's recent participation both the investment of federal "The other side to the devas- been wiped out from under in CITYbuild, a nationwide con- funds and the strategic rebuilding - from Page 1 tation is the incredible display of them? sortium of university-based de- of communities throughout Or- will," he said. "For all the hard- "These are important ques- sign-build programs that has leans Parish. ban English Turn area (home to a ship, people are moving back, tions that need to be debated and been active in the area. Funding for the Unified New Jack Nicklaus-designed golf gutting their houses and rebuild- addressed." Last semester Hoeferlin led Orleans Plan is provided by dona- course), the English Turn Wilder- ing. We need to tap into that spir- Project manager for H3 Studio the Sam Fox school's first travel- tions from the Greater New Or- ness Park and the Audubon Na- it as part of the planning process. will be Derek Hoeferlin, affiliate ing undergraduate studio to New leans Foundation and the Rocke- ture Institute's Center for Re- "Another component is dias- assistant professor of architecture Orleans. Working at both urban feller Foundation, among many search of Endangered Species. pora outreach," Hoal added. in the Sam Fox School, who lived and architectural scales, the stu- others. "We have a real cross-section," "We'll be traveling to other cities, and worked in New Orleans for dio focused on prototype housing Hoal, prior to forming H3 Stu- Hoal pointed out. "Historic such as Houston, Dallas and At- more than 10 years, predominant- and urban revitalization for the dio, co-founded and served as di- homes, low-density conservation lanta, which have absorbed sig- ly in District 2. The team also in- Central City neighborhood. rector for the City of St. Louis' areas, places that were blighted nificant numbers of New Orleans cludes alumni Jessica Garz (B.A. The Unified New Orleans Plan first Urban Design Department. even before Katrina. Some were refugees. We need to engage them '06), Laura Lyon (M.Arch. '00) was initiated by the New Orleans Major projects he has overseen in- completely decimated by flood- in the planning process at the and Bryan Taylor Robinson Community Support Foundation clude the $110 Forest Park Master ing, others stayed dry but sus- same time we're working with (M.Arch. '04) as well as graduate in cooperation with the New Or- Plan, which rebuilt much of the tained substantial wind damage. people already on the ground. student Peter Elsbeck. leans mayor's office, city council historic park's crumbling infra- It's really stunning." "A major engineering failure Hoal and Hoeferlin also will and the City Planning Commis- structure, and St. Louis' $1.4 bil- For example, while the Irish tied to natural disaster — from teach a pair of traveling studios in sion. The goal is to present a lion Downtown Development Ac- Channel and Garden District an urban design perspective, New Orleans: Hoal for the Sam comprehensive, citywide recovery tion Plan. c record.wustl.edu WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS Sept 8,2006 3 School of Medicine Update Cells protect retina from age-related macular degeneration BY JIM DRYDEN severe vision form. Most patients have the dry idence regarding the immune of macrophages in the eye. loss associated form of the disease, and although system's involvement with the "There were particularly high Although some recent studies with AMD. this can progress and cause severe damaging vessels made in the numbers of macrophages in the have suggested that inflam- Age-related vision loss in some, between 80 wet form of AMD. The most eyes of mice without IL-10," Fer- mation promotes retinal macular degen- and 90 percent of the blindness popular idea has been that guson said, "but rather than pro- damage in age-related macular eration is the and severe vision loss occurs in macrophages and inflammation moting the formation of damag- degeneration (AMD), new work leading cause the wet form of the disease, ac- contribute to the formation of ing vessels, the macrophages from Washington University oph- of blindness in cording to the paper's first author new vessels, but the current seem to have prevented them." thalmology researchers has found the United Rajendra S. Apte, M.D., Ph.D. study would argue macrophages Ferguson and Apte said they that a particular type of inflam- Apte States in people "In the wet form of macular play the opposite role. think that as people age, they mation, regulated by cells called over the age of degeneration, damaging blood The research team studied may experience changes in their macrophages, actually protects the 50. It accounts for more than 40 vessels form underneath the reti- mice whose eyes were treated production of IL-10, or perhaps eye from damage due to AMD. percent of blindness among the na," said Apte, assistant professor with a laser that spurs the the macrophages in their bodies The researchers reported in the institutionalized elderly, and as of ophthalmology and visual sci- growth of the damaging vessels. become less efficient over time. Aug. 15 issue of Public Library of baby boomers get older, the prob- ences at the School of Medicine. Although the acute laser injury Other factors, such as smoking, Science Medicine that in a mouse lem is expected to grow, with at This study looked at some of the is not identical to the chronic uncontrolled high blood pres- model of AMD, macrophages help least 8 million cases of AMD pre- mechanisms that control the for- damage from AMD, Apte said sure or a genetic predisposition, prevent the formation of blood dicted by the year 2020. mation and progression of those the animal model has been re- may enhance the disease process. vessels that grow underneath the There are two varieties of vessels, he said. markably successful in identify- Apte said he and Ferguson retina and cause the majority of AMD: a "dry" form and a "wet" The blood vessels are not like ing therapies that have proven to believe this system involving the mature vessels in most of the be effective in treating AMD. macrophages and IL-10 provides body. Vessels associated with Apte and co-investigator them with potential targets for AMD don't have normal, tight Thomas A. Ferguson, Ph.D., as- therapies that might slow or junctions, so they leak and bleed. sociate professor of ophthalmol- even reverse the formation of Construction begins These blood vessels are located ogy and visual sciences and of these damaging blood vessels beneath the macula, the center of pathology and immunology, in age-related macular degener- the retina. When blood vessels found that eliminating an anti- ation. bleed in that location, it leads to inflammatory protein called in- "Very soon, we're hoping to on orthopaedic center vision loss. terleukin-10 (IL-10) decreased look at patients who have macu- Apte said the immune system growth and development of new lar degeneration and analyze BY JIM DRYDEN space to support future expan- clearly can play a role in the de- blood vessels beneath the retina. their DNA to see whether they sions when they become neces- velopment of new blood vessels, Lack of IL-10 led to inflamma- might have abnormalities in After acquiring property in a sary." but there has been conflicting ev- tion and increased the number their IL-10 gene," Apte said. prime West St. Louis County All surgeons, physiatrists, ra- location, the Department of diologists and anesthesiologists at Orthopaedic Surgery and Barnes- the new center will be Washing- Jewish Hospital have begun con- ton University physicians. struction of a $13 million outpa- Barnes-Jewish Hospital, affiliated tient orthopaedic facility. with BJC HealthCare, will man- The building, at 14532 S. age the ambulatory surgery cen- Outer Forty Drive in Chester- ter, including pre-operative, oper- field, Mo., will be a 60,000- ative and post-operative services square-foot facility offering com- and the radiology services includ- prehensive, one-stop outpatient ing the MRI and general diagnos- care, including physician offices, tic radiology. Barnes-Jewish West exam rooms, ambulatory surgery County Hospital will manage the suites, diagnostic radiology (in- rehabilitative service and outpa- cluding MRI imaging and general tient physical therapy, and hand diagnostic services) and rehabili- services will be provided by phys- tation and hand therapy services. ical therapists from the Rehabili- The center will be the depart- tation Institute of St. Louis' Mil- ment's primary facility for sports liken Hand Rehabilitation Center. medicine, hand surgery, shoulder The facility will relocate and surgery, foot and ankle surgery expand orthopaedic surgery and and physical medicine and reha- sports medicine services from bilitation. clinical offices at 1020 N. Mason "This facility is designed to Road, near Barnes-Jewish West provide patients with the latest, County Hospital. The services of- technologically advanced or- fered in the new location will thopaedic care," said Richard H. complement the department's ex- Gelberman, M.D., the Fred C. isting clinical practice at the Cen- Reynolds Professor, head of the ter for Advanced Medicine and Department of Orthopaedic Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where Surgery and chief of orthopaedic spinal, joint replacement, trauma On her Way First-year medical student Iheoma Nwaogu dons her white coat from Will R. Ross, surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospi- and orthopaedic oncology servic- M.D., associate dean and director of the Office of Diversity, at the annual White Coat Ceremony tal. "Patients will have access to es are based. Aug. 18, while W. Edwin Dodson, M.D., associate vice chancellor for admissions and associate minimally invasive surgical pro- Clayco is the general contrac- dean for admissions, looks on. Nwaogu and 122 other first-year medical students were presented cedures that will allow them to be tor, Larry Chapman the develop- with a white coat, long a symbol of the medical profession. Nwaogu graduated with a bachelor's admitted and discharged on the er and ACI/Boland the project ar- degree in biology from the University of Houston. same day. Non-surgical services chitect. Construction is under will include a rehabilitation cen- way and is scheduled for comple- ter, and the building will include tion next- summer. Cortisone's connection to osteoporosis becomes clearer BY MICHAEL C. PURDY tween bone loss and cortisone produced seemingly contradictory results. In prior lab animal experi- 'Symposium at 77' to honor Frieden Scientists are closing in on the solution to a persist- ments, researchers found cortisone caused bone- ent medical puzzle: why do high doses of corti- building osteoblast cells to self-destruct, suggesting BY BETH MILLER 1996-2005. His research now fo- sone, widely prescribed for asthma, rheumatoid that cortisone disrupts the body's ability to form new cuses primarily on one of the arthritis and other conditions, weaken bones? bone after it is naturally dismantled by osteoclasts. The Department of Biochem- major unsolved problems in bio- Through studies of mice, School of Medicine re- However, experiments in a test tube also showed cor- istry and Molecular Bio- chemistry — how proteins, searchers now have identified osteoclasts, cells that tisone stimulates bone formation. physics will hold the "Sympos- which begin as long strings of dismande old bone, as the essential link be- Teitelbaum identified a new opportunity ium at 77" in honor of its former amino-acid building blocks,' tween osteoporosis and cortisone. As scien- to explore the conundrum while at a lecture department head and longtime adopt their three-dimensional tists flesh out the molecular-level details of by Louis J. Muglia, M.D., Ph.D., professor of professor Carl Frieden, Ph.D. shapes. this connection, they may be able to identify obstetrics and gynecology, of pediatrics and The symposium, named for Using techniques such as nu- targets for therapy to prevent cortisone's of molecular biology and pharmacology. Frieden's age, will be held clear magnetic resonance and damaging side effects on bone. Muglia's group studies the health effects of Sept. 21 at the Eric P. Newman site-directed mutagenesis, Frie- "High-dose cortisone is the second most stress, many of which are mediated by cor- Education Center at the School den investigates the role of specif- common cause of osteoporosis, and we cur- tisone. To aid in his research, Muglia de- of Medicine. Speakers include ic amino acids in the protein rently have no real treatment for this serious veloped a line of genetically modified Stephen J. Benkovic, Ph.D., Penn folding and unfolding processes. side effect," said senior author Steven L. Teit- mice where receptors for cortisone, which State University; David Eisen- In 2000, Frieden received the Carl elbaum, M.D., the Messing Professor of Teitelbaum are found throughout the body, could be se- berg, D.Phil., University of Cali- and Gerty Cori Award from Uni- Pathology and Immunology. "Given how fre- lectively eliminated in individual cell types. fornia, Los Angeles; Walter Eng- versity. quendy these drugs are used to treat many different By crossbreeding their genetically modified mouse lander, Ph.D., University of Colleagues from around the conditions, that's a major clinical problem." lines, researchers produced a line of mice whose Pennsylvania; Tom Pollard, M.D., country are planning to attend Teitelbaum and colleagues, including lead author bone-dismanding osteoclasts lacked cortisone recep- and Arthur Horwich, M.D., Yale this event, including P. Roy Vage- Hyun-Ju Kim, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow, published tors. When researchers gave cortisone to these mice, University. Chancellor Mark S. los, M.D., who headed the De- their results in the August issue of the Journal of Clin- the bone-weakening effects of the drugs were Wrighton will open with re- partment of Biological Chem- ical Investigation. blocked. marks. istry, now called the Department Cortisone is a steroid produced naturally by the Scientists also found that cortisone inhibits the Frieden, professor of biochem- of Biochemistry and Molecular adrenal gland and synthesized by a number of phar- ability of osteoclasts to dismantle old bone in geneti- istry and molecular biophysics, Biophysics, from 1966-1975. maceutical companies for clinical use. The drug is cally normal mice. This blockage might seem to leave joined the School of Medicine in For more information, also used to treat lupus, multiple sclerosis and chron- bones free to retain their strength, but with the regu- 1957 with an interest in enzyme call Debbie Sinak at 362-0287 ic obstructive pulmonary disease, and it is prescribed lar skeletal renewal process stopped, bones will weak- kinetics and mechanisms. He or Kathleen Hall, Ph.D., at to transplant patients to prevent rejection of trans- en dramatically from aging and stress. Dampening of served as department head from 362-4196. planted organs. osteoclast activity may also cause a chain reaction Earlier attempts to identify the connection be- that slows activity of bone-building osteoblasts. 4 RECORD WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS

the medical Center for the Space Sciences, Using the comprehensive center to a placing the University among a strategic planning approach that Danforth place where handful of schools featuring such had preceded the ALLIANCE - from Page 1 people talked centers. campaign — and enjoying "the about com- In the same period, as research comradeship of working side-by- mon goals — and major discoveries were side with others who share vi- Bill and Ibby who poured their seized the bringing worldwide recognition sions which we hold dear" — lives into that campus, and also earliest op- to the medical center, Danforth Danforth launched three initia- to Jack and Donald and their portunity to supported P. Roy Vagelos, M.D., tives aimed at positioning the family foundation, which was so reach out to (then professor and head of bio- University for the future: Project generous to the University. the commu- chemistry) in the development of 21, the Task Force on Undergrad- "It reminds me of architect nity. In his a joint Division of Biology and uate Education and the Universi- Christopher Wren's marker at first official Biomedical Sciences. Known as ty Management Team. St. Paul's (Cathedral) in Lon- address on DBBS, the now much-copied Heralding the Campaign for don. The inscription there says Founders concept is an educational consor- Washington University that Chan- 'Lector, si monumentum requiris, Day 1972, he tium of faculty affiliated with 29 cellor Wrighton would announce circumspice — 'Reader, if you conveyed a basic science and clinical depart- publicly in 1998, Project 21 was an seek a memorial, look around native son's ments on the Danforth and Med- incubator for new ideas, long- you.' Now when people look empathy for ical campuses. range planning and action that around the Washington Univer- his city and Danforth continued the ef- provided a detailed blueprint for sity campus they can say the called for rec- - forts, begun while he was vice how the individual units and the same things about Bill and Ibby onciliation chancellor for medical affairs, of University as a whole could realize Danforth and his family." between St. the Washington University Med- their potential. Louis and the ical Center Redevelopment Corp., The exercise brought together Building a community university he which completed a nationally ac- constituencies essential for im- It didn't take long for William was leading. claimed renewal of the decaying provement — deans and faculty H. Danforth to make his mark The tension urban neighborhoods north of of the schools, and the University on the University. In fact, he set arose from a the medical center, now called the Libraries and Student Affairs, out to help incoming freshmen "failure to Central West End. who worked with their National each year understand their new know one an- Danforth had said at the out- Councils. It also nurtured a sense community and how to "catch other well," set that "in the future, the United of belonging and excitement said Dan- about the University's promise the excitement of learning and William H. Danforth, M.D., and his wife, Elizabeth States will probably afford about forth, who and consolidated a strong base growth." (Ibby) Gray Danforth, served as chancellor and first 30 to 35 first-rate universities In his address to the 1974 lady of the University for 24 years. went on to (and) Washington University cer- for future collaborations. freshman class, Danforth spoke speak of the tainly will be and must be one of A quietly powerful presence of a friendly campus and of ac- University as these." But to realize that goal, behind the progress, Danforth tive, contributing scholars who — students, faculty, staff, alums, one of the community's contri- another major fund drive was es- helped to lay what he called "the care about teaching. At the same friends — and all of these groups butions to mankind. At that time, sential. cement of mutual confidence" time, he reminded his young au- had no doubts about their caring he began to build the strong rela- and created stability in every dience of its responsibility: concern." tionship between the University Looking forward area. His rare combination of "While we believe the environ- Danforth's faith in the simple and the St. Louis community that In 1978, Danforth announced a enormous vision and sincere ment at Washington University virtues and in optimism based on endures to this day. plan emblematic of his adminis- concern for the individual and is conducive to learning, we hard work and a sense of the pos- "As chancellor and first lady, trative approach: the Commis- his manifest integrity fostered know that neither the environ- sible were implicit in his actions. Bill and Ibby Danforth set the sion on the Future of Washington the cooperation essential to ad- ment nor the faculty can learn The culture of inclusion, integri- perfect tone for Washington Uni- University, comprising 10 task vancement. for you any more than the peo- ty, academic freedom, collabora- versity," says John Berg, associate forces chaired by trustees with He was the linchpin for the ple in the food service can eat tion and accomplishment this vice chancellor for undergraduate impeccable credentials, each energetic alumni programs, treas- for you. You must do it for modest man painstakingly tended admissions and former assistant assigned to a school or major uring his contact with former yourself. Learning is never easy. had much to do with what he to Chancellor Danforth. "When service area. students from every decade — ... The faculty expect much of and the thousands of individuals you saw them on campus and "Having wonderful, smart the "people armed with intelli- themselves and will expect he inspired were able to accom- when you heard them speak, you people was very, very important," gence, energy and understand- much of you." plish. As Wrighton said when he realized the profound impact Danforth says today of the talent- ing" who had graduated "ready to As freshmen from suburbia announced the campus naming: they have had on the University. ed leaders he brought to the table make their contribution to the and the inner city, from all over "He personifies Washington Uni- "They helped create a wonder- throughout his chancellorship. "I advancement of society." America and from abroad, from versity." ful environment — one filled talked with them about their Danforth also revered the fac- every sort of religious back- "The Danforth era was one of with kindness, acceptance of oth- ideas and always felt I was doing ulty and regarded these intellectu- ground, listened to this preface enormous growth in stature for ers— for the entire campus com- the right thing if I was backing al leaders as essential to the Uni- to their next four years, they re- Washington University," Wrigh- munity to come together in pur- the convictions of people I knew versity's contribution to progress. ceived a principle for their lives. ton said. "Naming our campus suit of learning. They made were wise." In 2000, the American Association Observing that the students the Danforth Campus is a re- everyone want to be a part of For 28 months the task forces of University Professors presented would soon be taking part in minder of the important values Washington University." studied the University, talking in him with the Alexander Meikle- common intellectual, cultural, and aspirations represented by Danforth was equally quick to depth with its constituencies, and john Award in recognition of his social and athletic activities, the Danforth family and honors address the University's financial in 1981 compiled a report with "daily, consistent defense of aca- Danforth said, "I hope that as them for their leadership and demic freedom over an entire you share experiences you will contributions to the development career." also share yourselves freely, so of a great university." During his tenure, 11 Nobel that this class might contribute Prizes and two Pulitzer Prizes to building an open, friendly, Settling the unrest went to people associated with the supportive community of peo- When Danforth and Ibby became University, along with innumer- ple who are different from one chancellor and first lady July 1, able other prestigious honors. Two another but who listen to each 1971, the campus was still experi- faculty members served as poets other, respect each other, under- encing student unrest over the laureate. stand each other and care for Vietnam War, culminating in the "As Chancellor, Bill Danforth each other." burning of the Air Force ROTC quietly, generously and steadfastly Danforth's address reflected building on May 5,1970. supported my work, the activities his hopes for all undergraduates Two additional problems of The International Writers' — who year after year returned awaited. One was that the Uni- Center, and the entire Washing- his regard: dropping by his of- versity's income had not kept up ton University community of fice to talk; planning events to with spending. The other was the writers," says William H. Gass, celebrate the reassuring campus disaffection of the St. Louis com- Ph.D., the David May Distin- figure they called Uncle Bill and munity: The divisive war had guished University Professor later Chan Dan; thronging to his shaken public confidence in uni- Emeritus in the Humanities in annual Bedtime Stories event on versities nationwide, and many Arts & Sciences. "He never failed the South 40, where his instruc- St. Louisans felt estranged from us, and he made much of the tive tales ranged from James the University. University's prestigious position Thurber to family chestnuts. "Dr. Danforth has a remark- One of the ways Chancellor Danforth interacted with the students in the literary scene possible. We Strong ethical principles, the able rapport with the leadership of was through his annual Bedtime Stories event on the South 40. At are all deeply indebted to him. quest for improvement and con- the St. Louis community," says these events, Danforth would read everything from James Thurber "Chancellor Danforth was a cern for others — the guiding Shanti K. Khinduka, Ph.D., the to favorite family tales. profoundly principled adminis- principles of Bill, Ibby and George Warren Brown Distin- trator. His was an ethically re- the larger Danforth family — guished University Professor and problems. While he served as nearly 200 hard-hitting recom- sponsible rule. Yes, he looked a define the University's 13th dean of the George Warren Brown medical vice chancellor (1965- mendations aimed at strengthen- bit Lincoln-like, but he was Lin- chancellor, whose description in School of Social Work from 1974- 1971), he proactively forged a re- ing the University. coln-like." the St. Louis Globe-Democrat as 2004. "He assumed the chancellor- lationship, for example, with the The Commission's work not Characteristically, Danforth a "Lincolnesque figure of granite ship of the University at a time medical school at Saint Louis only provided a map for the chose a time to retire that was in laced with steel and wrapped in when many influential members University and secured a federal 1983-87 ALLIANCE FOR WASH- the best interests of the University. velvet" spoke as much of his of the St. Louis community had planning grant that helped obtain INGTON UNIVERSITY cam- Project 21 was under way, and he character as of his presence. begun to question the direction of federal funds for combating heart paign — which raised $630.5 believed a new chancellor should "Bill and Ibby Danforth set a the University. disease, cancer and stroke. million and was then the most be in place to oversee the plan's tone and operating style for "He won their support, loyalty, He approached his chancellor- successful university fundraising final form. The day after Danforth Washington University unlike affection and respect, and gave ship in the same way. By 1973, a effort in national history — but "graduated," as he put it, he went that at any other major univer- them a new sense of pride in the new fund drive began, with the also presaged Danforth's estab- right back to work, as chairman of sity," says Edward N. Wilson, institution, without in any way news of a $60 million endow- lishment five years later of the 10 the Board of Trustees. Ph.D., professor of mathematics compromising the integrity and ment challenge grant from the National Councils, one for each That same year, in 1995, Eliza- in Arts & Sciences and grand autonomy of the University. He Danforth Foundation. When the school, the Libraries and Student beth Gray Danforth received an marshal of Commencement. has an uncanny and impeccable matching goal was achieved, the Affairs, to extend the analysis, in- honorary doctor of humanities "Others may talk about wanting sense of the institution, and in chancellor noted that the money sights and dialogue. Each chaired from Washington University. to establish an extended family every meeting or conversation, it would ensure stability for long- by a member of the Board of At the 1999 Commencement, atmosphere on their campuses, is this sense of Washington Uni- range planning. Trustees, the councils are made Bill Danforth both delivered the but I strongly suspect none versity as an entity larger than the Other milestones were the es- up of alumni, parents and leading address and received an honorary other than the Danforths have sum of its parts that comes tablishment of the Spencer T. national and local academic, cor- doctorate; that same year, he be- succeeded in doing so. through clearly and convincingly." Olin Fellowship Program for porate and civic leaders who came chancellor emeritus, vice "They cared about everyone The new chancellor — who a Women in graduate and profes- bring expertise and objectivity to chairman of the Board and a Life connected with the University few years earlier had transformed sional studies and the McDonnell institutional planning. Trustee of the University. record.wustl.edu WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS Sept 8,2006 5

support is seen in the facilities and programs of the University, and Foundation most importantly in the students - from Page 1 and faculty supported. "The foundation support has yielded enormous benefits for our prospered, and by the mid-20th region by advancing education century had grown into an in- and research that has built eco- ternational corporate giant in nomic strength, and the founda- the animal and pet food busi- tion's support has made it possible ness — the Ralston Purina Co. to attract many talented and cre- Then, in 1927, Danforth ative leaders to St. Louis." founded an organization that Also out of the refocusing of had as big an impact as the feed priorities came the Donald Dan- store, but in a completely differ- forth Plant Science Center in 1998, ent field. He, his wife Adda, son featuring a unique and innovative Donald and daughter Dorothy alliance joining the Danforth Cen- established the Danforth Foun- ter in collaborative research with dation "for charitable and hu- the University of Illinois at Ur- manitarian purposes and to bana-Champaign, the Missouri promote the well-being of Botanical Garden, the University mankind." He wanted to help of Missouri-Columbia, Monsanto people be at their "very best, all Co., Purdue University and Wash- the time." ington University. The plan was to encourage The Donald Danforth Plant young people to excel in all as- Science Center is a not-for-profit pects of their lives, especially ed- research institute with a global ucation. In this way, the Dan- vision to improve the human con- forths believed youth would dition. reach their highest potential, Research at the Danforth Cen- and as a consequence, the Unit- ter is aimed at enhancing the nu- ed States and the world would tritional content of plants to im- be improved. prove human health, increase Through it all, education was agricultural production to create at the forefront of the Danforth a sustainable food supply and pro- Foundation's goals, gifts and vide the scientific advancements grants. and technologies that will con- When the foundation was Chancellor William H. Danforth, M.D., presents the championship trophy to the Bears football team. tribute to the economic growth first established, the initial pro- Danforth and his wife, Elizabeth (Ibby) Gray Danforth, were champions of all student activities and of the St. Louis region and of the grams and grants were to help were very supportive of the school's athletic programs. state of Missouri. young people from around the In 2000, the foundation's United States develop the "Four ally under this program. forth family has been a role In 1998, a $100 million grant trustees identified three specific Square" (physical, mental, social In 1955, the foundation es- model for service for us all," was awarded to Washington Uni- areas of focus to further define and spiritual) traits promoted tablished Danforth Teacher says John F. McDonnell, former versity as part of the Campaign grant-making activities — plant by Danforth in his book, in his Grants to provide graduate fel- chairman and current vice for Washington University. In ad- and life sciences, neighborhood approach to business and in his lowships for young teachers of chairman of the Washington dition to supporting and building redevelopment and downtown philanthropic ideology. outstanding abilities who had University Board of Trustees. upon the region's well-known St. Louis. This started almost immedi- not yet completed a doctoral de- "All of them individually are strength in medicine and the bio- At the time of its 75th anniver- ately when in 1929 the founda- gree. role models of service and self- logical sciences, this gift is also sary in 2002, the Danforth Foun- tion sponsored Summer Fellow- Just four years later, the foun- lessness." contributing to the further devel- dation had awarded just under $1 ship Awards to students at ap- dation made great strides in hav- Washington University and opment in the humanities, the billion nationally to 60 programs. proximately 25 state agricultural ing an international presence. In Saint Louis University were social sciences, undergraduate In 2003, the Board of Trustees colleges to "assist [them] in ob- 1959, the trustees agreed that again beneficiaries of the foun- student life, engineering and the agreed to dedicate 60 percent of taining a closer view of busi- grant awards could be made out- dation's support in 1973, when University's partnerships with the foundation's uncommitted as- ness, widening their horizons, side the United States. endowment grants were award- community organizations. sets to the goal of making the St. and assisting them in making a The Danforth Indian Pro- ed to both: Washington Univer- "No single source of financial Louis region a leader in the plant choice of their life's work upon gram was inaugurated, which sity received $60 million over support for Washington Universi- and life sciences. leaving college." provided graduate fellowships five years, while Saint Louis Uni- ty has been more important than In 2005, at the request of St. for teachers in Indian private versity received $20 million. the Danforth Foundation," Chan- Louis Mayor Francis Slay, the Initiating first program colleges of liberal arts and sci- The grants required that dol- cellor Mark S. Wrighton said. foundation began to assess the Several yearly awards, grants ences. lar-for-dollar matching funds be "The gifts provided have been possibilities for revitalizing the and scholarships followed, and The selection of India was re- raised by each institution. placed in the endowment, con- city's riverfront and developing then in 1941, the foundation lated to the missionary work of tributing to the underlying finan- a better connection between the established its first program — Ruth Seabury, who served as a Parents as Teachers cial strength of the University. Arch grounds and downtown the Danforth Associates Pro- longtime adviser to the Danforth In 1981, the foundation provid- "But the importance of the St. Louis. gram — to improve the quality Foundation on many of the pro- ed initial support for the Parents of teaching and learning on uni- grams it created to enhance reli- as Teachers program, in which versity campuses. The program gion on college campuses. parents were recognized as the was developed to improve per- That same year saw the first first and most important teach- sonal communication between unrestricted grants awarded to ers of their children and were teacher and students. individual institutions — the provided with parent education "Donald Danforth, (William foundation awarded a $300,000 services. H. Danforth's son), took the grant to Washington University By the end of the decade, the company that his father had and a $150,000 grant to Saint program was offered in more founded and really built a suc- Louis University. than 500 Missouri school dis- cessful business in the 1940s, tricts. '50s and '60s that funded the Change of focus Also in 1981, the trustees es- foundation," said John Biggs, a The 1960s saw a slight change of tablished the Dorothy Danforth member of the Washington focus, based on the changes Compton Minority Fellowship University Board of Trustees throughout the nation. Issues in Program to provide financial as- and head of its investment com- education, health care, housing sistance and other support for mittee. He also sits on the board and racial disparities were at the minority graduate students in of the Danforth Foundation and forefront of the nightly news. In the arts and sciences who as- serves as the head of that invest- response, the foundation ear- pired to be college teachers. ment committee as well. marked urban affairs as an Ten major universities were "And the children! Somehow important area in which it would awarded grants of $105,000 each around that family dinner table undertake grantmaking. by the foundation to establish (Donald) created such a sense of The foundation supported the project. public duty, ambition and goals projects such as regional housing In the mid-1980s, the foun- that have marked that remark- conferences, neighborhood coali- dation proferred several chal- able family — four terrific chil- tions, minority business exposi- lenge grants to Washington Uni- dren — Bill, Jack, Dorothy and tions and community clinics. versity: $45 million in 1982; the late Donald Jr., who died of Later that decade, staff and $100 million and $55 million Lou Gehrig's disease. Bill and trustees decided to concentrate in 1986. Jack are among the Great Amer- foundation efforts in urban af- Throughout the 1980s and icans of their generation. Two in fairs on educational and profes- early 1990s, the foundation con- one family." sional growth opportunities for tinued its commitment to public In 1952, the foundation initi- urban leaders as a means of bet- education, bestowing 18 different ated the Danforth Graduate Fel- ter targeting resources. grants upon the St. Louis Public lowship Program, to "bring into As such, the foundation reaf- Schools in 1983 and starting the college teaching a larger number firmed its commitment to "peo- Danforth Program for the Prepa- of young men, thoroughly ple and values" and maintained ration of School Principals to as- trained according to the highest its focus on higher education, sist selected colleges and univer- scholastic standards, who are supporting selected students in sities in developing new, innova- aware of the place for moral and graduate studies through the tive pro-grams to prepare religious values in teaching and Danforth Graduate Fellowship prospective principals. counseling... The candidates Program, the Kent Fellowships By the end of the decade, 22 may be preparing to teach in and the Graduate Fellowships for school district/university part- any academic discipline com- Women — the latter two of nerships had been established mon to an undergraduate col- which were folded into the Dan- across the United States. lege." forth Graduate Fellowship Pro- And then came the switch Homecoming was a great time for the Danforth family to interact Approximately 100 scholar- gram in 1975. from a global scope to a regional with the students and show support during the traditional home- ships were to be awarded annu- "Certainly the whole Dan- one. coming parade. 6 RECORD WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS University Events Mahalia: A Gospel Musical kicks off 30th season at Edison

BY LIAM OTTEN Himes, celebrates the life artist-in-residence in the Perform- and music of gospel ing Arts Department in Arts & In 1976, Ron Himes founded $\j great Mahalia Jackson Sciences. "She was the world's The St. Louis Black Repertory (1911-1972). greatest gospel singer and the Company while earning a bach- Born and raised in spiritual voice of the Civil Rights elor's degree in business adminis- New Orleans' humble jSAJkM-^ Movement." tration from University College in "Black Pearl" neighbor- The cast is led by Roz White Arts & Sciences. hood, Jackson rose to be- Gonsalves as Mahalia. A native of Today The Black Rep is one of come the preeminent Washington, D.C., Gonsalves is a the largest and most respected »~ ■> ^^r lal'j gospel singer of her day, graduate of the Duke Ellington African-American companies in known for recordings School of the Arts and Howard the nation, reaching an annual such as "Elijah Rock," University. She previously ap- audience of more than 150,000. "Precious Lord" and "We peared in The Black Rep's Tell Me This month, The Black Rep re- Shall Overcome." Something Good and Blues in the turns to WUSTL to launch its A close friend of Mar- ;/ %)/J Night. 30th anniversary season with Ma- 'M. "*\ mi tin Luther King Jr., she Other featured players include halm: A Gospel Musical. Perfor- was closely associated Minister Malcolm L. Speed, mances run Sept. 13-24 in Edison with the Civil Rights founder of True Foundation Theatre. Movement and famously Records Inc., a St. Louis-based "The Black Rep is one of performed at the inaugu- gospel label; and Pamela D. Mal- St. Louis' true cultural gems," ration of President John lory, minister of music at the said Chancellor Mark S. Wrigh- F. Kennedy as well as at Christ Pilgrim Rest Baptist ton, who — along with his wife, King's funeral. >vH Church. Risa Zwerling Wrighton — co- "I am thrilled to open Performances begin at 7 p.m. chairs the company's 30th An- our 30th anniversary sea- Sept. 13 and continue through niversary Celebration Committee. From left, Roz White Gonsalves, Minister Malcolm L. Speed and Pamela D. son with such a moving Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. Thursdays; 8 "Under/the leadership of Ron Mallory perform in Mahalia, which celebrates the life and music of gospel show that provides a p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 3 Himes, The Black Rep has devel- great Mahalia Jackson. unique historical look at p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tick- oped a loyal following as well as the life of Mahalia Jack- ets range from $10-$30 and are an outstanding reputation for continued. "We are thrilled to Mahalia, written by Tom Stolz son," said Himes, who also serves available by calling The Black Rep challenging theatre," Wrighton welcome them back to campus." and produced and directed by as the Henry E. Hampton Jr. box office at 534-3810. The NASA Stardust Mission • Skeletal Muscle Biology

"University Events" lists a portion of the Policy Inaugural Lecture. "Facing the 12:30-4:30 p.m. Program in Physical Safety." Randal Numann, assoc. research activities taking place Sept. 7-20 Urban Challenge: Where Inequality, Race Therapy Symposium. Annual Steven J. fellow, cardiovascular dept., Pfizer Inc. at Washington University. Visit the Web and Immigration Meet." Lawrence Bobo, Rose Symposium. "Skeletal Muscle (5 p.m. reception.) Whitaker Hall, Rm. On Stage for expanded calendars for the Hilltop Martin Luther King Jr. Centennial Pro- Biology: Mechanics and Function." 218. 935-7887. Campus (calendar.wustl.edu) and the fessor, Stanford U. Graham Chapel. Richard Lieber, prof, of orthopaedic sur- School of Medicine (medschool 935-5216. gery & bioengineering, U. of Calif.-San Thursday, Sept. 7 .wustl.edu/calendars.html). Diego. Cost: $60. Eric P. Newman Tuesday, Sept. 19 8 p.m. PAD Presentation. Dance Close Up. Education Center. 286-1404. 9:30 a.m. Research Administrators Forum. Cost: $17, $10 for students, children, sen- Wednesday, Sept. 13 Goldfarb Hall, Rm. 132. 747-6273. 7:30 p.m. Saint Louis Astronomical iors, WUSTL faculty & staff. Mallinckrodt 11 a.m. Assembly Series. EnCouncil Society Meeting. "The NASA Stardust Student Center, Annelise Mertz Dance Lecture. Bill Nye, engineer, author, TV Mission — Analyzing Comet Dust." Frank Studio. 935-6543. Exhibits personality. Graham Chapel. 935-5285. Wednesday, Sept. 20 Stadermann, sr. research scientist in 4 p.m. Assembly Series. David Robertson, 4 p.m. Biochemistry & Molecular Bio- physics. McDonnell Hall, Rm. 162. 2006 Freshman Reading Program. music dir., Saint Louis Symphony Or- physics Seminar. "Proteasome Acti- 935-4614. chestra. Graham Chapel. 935-5285. Sponsored by University Libraries. vation: Opening the Gate to Nature's Through Sept. 15. Olin Library Lobby. Sports Molecule of Mass Destruction." Christo- 6 p.m. University City Centennial Lecture 935-6626. pher Hill, prof, of biochemistry, U. of Saturday, Sept. 16 Series: Honoring Women Past, Present, Technology Changes Fall '06. Sponsored Utah. Cori Aud., 4565 McKinley Ave. 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Oncology CME Course. and Future. "Continuing Education for Friday, Sept. 8 "Advances in Cancer Diagnosis and by University Libraries. Through Sept. 15. 362-4152. Women: Taking Time for Ourselves in this 3 p.m. Volleyball vs. Pacific U. Washing- Treatment." Cost: $185 for physicians, Busy World." Lynnea Brumbaugh-Walter, Olin Library Lobby. 935-6626. ton University National Invitational. . $150 for allied health professionals. The adjunct prof, of business communications. Athletic Complex. 935-4705. Thursday, Sept. 14 Ritz-Carlton St. Louis, 100 Carondelet Co-sponsored by University College. Cost: 9 a.m. Research Administrators Forum. Plaza. To register: 362-6891. $15, $10 for students and seniors. Uni- 7:30 p.m. Men's Soccer vs. Rhodes Wohl Hosp. Bldg. Aud. 747-6273. versity City City Hall. 537-1536. College. Francis Field. 935-4705. Lectures 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. School of Medicine CME Course. "Annual St. Louis Critical 8 p.m. Volleyball vs. Central College. Friday, Sept. 15 Care Update." Cost: $45. St. Louis Washington University National Invi- tational. Athletic Complex. 935-4705. Thursday, Sept. 7 9:15 a.m. Pediatric Grand Rounds. Annual Marriott West, 660 Maryville Centre 8:30-10:30 a.m. Center for the Application J. Neal & Lois Middlekamp Lecture. Drive. To register: 362-6891. Music of Information Technology Executive and "Community-acquired Methicillin-resist- Saturday, Sept. 9 Management Forum. "Convergence: The ant Staphylococcus aureus Infections in Monday, Sept. 18 10 a.m. Volleyball vs. Ohio Northern U. Next Frontier." Johna Johnson, president Children — It's Everywhere." Sheldon Monday, Sept. 11 3 p.m. Neuro-oncology Research Group Washington University National Invi- and chief research officer, Nemertes Kaplan, prof, and vice chancellor for clini- 8 p.m. Concert. Washington University Seminar Series. "Putative Role of Old tational. Athletic Complex. 935-4705. Research. St. Louis Science Center. For cal affairs, Dept. of Pediatrics, Baylor U. Chamber Orchestra. Elizabeth Macdonald, Stroma in Tumorgenesis." Sheila Stewart, information and to register: 935-5501. Clopton Aud., 4950 Children's Place. dir. Umrath Hall Lounge. 935-4841. 3 p.m. Volleyball vs. Wittenberg U. asst. prof, of cell biology & physiology. 454-6006. Washington University National Invi- 3:30-5:15 p.m. School of Law Lecture. McDonnell Medical Sciences Bldg., Rm. tational. Athletic Complex. 935-4705. "China's Judiciary: Current Issues." Jianli Noon. Cell Biology & Physiology Seminar. 928.454-8981. Thursday, Sept. 14 Song, judge, Supreme Court of China. "Integration of Signaling and Trafficking 7 p.m. Football vs. Westminster College. 5:30 p.m. Cardiac Bioeiectricity & 8 p.m. Jazz at Holmes presents Jazz in the Anheuser-Busch Hall, Rm. 310. 935-7988. in Growth Factor Receptor Function." Francis Field. 935-4705. Arrhythmia Center Seminar Series. Quad. Willie Akins, saxophonist, and his Silvia Corvera, prof, of molecular medi- "Automated Electrophysiology in Dis- quartet. Co-sponsored by Residential Life cine, U. of Mass. McDonnell Medical Friday, Sept. 8 covery Research and Preclinical QT and New Student Orientation. Brookings Saturday, Sept. 16 Sciences Bldg., Rm. 426. 362-6950. Quadrangle. 935-4841. 9:15 a.m. Pediatric Grand Rounds. "State 11 a.m. Men's Soccer vs. Wartburg of the Department." Alan L. Schwartz, College. Francis Field. 935-4705. Harriet B. Spoehrer Professor and chair- 1 p.m. Women's Soccer vs. Wartburg man of Pediatrics. Clopton Aud., 4950 College. Francis Field. 935-4705. Children's Place. 454-6006. Sports Monday, Sept. 11 Sunday, Sept. 17 Noon. Women's Soccer vs. Augustana 8 a.m.-noon. St. Louis STD/HIV Prevention title Sept. 1-2. The Bears posted Football wins opener Men's soccer starts 2-0 College. Francis Field. 935-4705. Training Center CME Course. "STD Labo- 3-0 shutouts in each of their four ratory Methods." (Continues 1-5 p,m. The football team opened the matches. On Sept. 1, the Bears The men's soccer team opened 2 p.m. Men's College vs. Augustana Sept. 12 and 8 a.m.-noon Sept. 13.) College. Francis Field. 935-4705. 2006 season with a 21-6 win at whitewashed Dominican Univer- 2006 in impressive fashion. The Cost: $75. For location and to register: Lake Forest College in both 747-1522. sity and the University of Wis- Bears defeated Wilmington Col- teams' season opener Sept. 2 in lege, 4-0, to open the season Wednesday, Sept. 20 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Center for the consin-Platteville. Lake Forest, 111. The first two Sept. 1, and they followed with a 7:30 p.m. Men's Soccer vs. Fontbonne U. Application of Information Technology The next day, WUSTL victim- Francis Field. 935-4705. Three-day Workshop. "Project Manage- quarters were highlighted by the ized Wartburg College and Illi- 1-0 win against No. 22 Wheaton ment Professional (PMP) Concept Review defense, as WUSTL limited Lake nois Wesleyan University. College Sept. 2. The two wins and Exam Preparation." (Continues 8:30 Forest to 34 yards on 20 plays. gave WUSTL the Bob Baptista a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 12-13.) Cost: $1,230, After a scoreless first half, sen- Invitational title. reduced fees available for CAIT member ior quarterback Pat McCarthy Runners start strong And more... organizations. CAIT, 5 N. Jackson Ave. To The men's and women's cross register: 935-4444. punched it in on a quarterback Women's soccer 1-1 sneak from 1 yard out. Matt Balt- country teams opened the season Thursday, Sept. 7 Noon. Work, Families & Public Policy The women's soccer team posted hazar later recovered a blocked with impressive showings at the 8 p.m. Writing Program Reading Series. Brown Bag Seminar Series. "Instant a 1-1 record at the Bob Baptista punt and took it into the end zone Early Bird Meet at Central Field Kellie Wells and Kerri Webster, writers-in- Gratification, Procrastination and Savings Invitational. Policy." David Laibson, prof, of econom- to extend the lead to 14-0. An in- in Forest Park. The WUSTL men residence, Dept. of English. Hurst Lounge, The Bears outshot No. 17 Duncker Hall, Rm. 201.935-7130. ics, Harvard U. Eliot Hall, Rm. 300. terception by sophomore Adam and women took first place 935-4918. DePauw University, 16-3, on Hartzler set up a 3-yard touch- among non-Division I teams. Sept. 1, but an own-goal in the down run by senior Robbie Sutkay Junior Tricia Frisella set the Thursday, Sept. 14 first half was the difference as Tuesday, Sept. 12 midway through the fourth quar- pace for the field, winning the 8 p.m. Writing Program Reading Series. the Bears suffered a 1 -0 loss to Paul Muldoon, Visiting Hurst Professor, Noon. Program in Physical Therapy ter to make it 21-0. women's 4K run in 15:00.30. Research Seminar. "Worksite Oppor- the Tigers. poet. Women's Bldg. Formal Lounge. The WUSTL men placed six 935-7130. tunities for Wellness." Susan Racette, total runners in the top 10, led by Washington U. responded asst. prof, of physical therapy. 4444 Volleyball wins classic with a 2-1 overtime victory Forest Park Blvd., Lower Level, Rm. B108. freshman Donald McClure. Mc- 286-1400. The No. 5 volleyball team went 4- Clure clocked a time of 19:37.40 over No. 6 Wheaton College on 0 en route to the WUSTL Classic Sept. 3. 4 p.m. Center on Urban Research & Public for fourth place in the 6K event. record.wustl.edu WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS Sept 8,2006 7 Bill Nye — the Science Guy— brings enthusiasm to campus

BY MARY KASTENS Emmy Award-winning television series. His current show, "The Bill Nye will share his infec- Eyes of Nye," airs on PBS stations. tious enthusiasm for science Aimed at adults, it features epi- and explore how the latest sodes based on topical subjects scientific advancements relate to such as genetically-modified social policy and change lives foods, climate warming and race. during his Assembly Series talk at In 2005, he hosted "100 Great- 11 a.m. Sept. 13 in Graham est Discoveries," an award-win- Chapel. ning series for Discovery's Science Nye has become a household Channel. He writes a column on name with his innovative televi- the MSN Encarta Web site called sion series, and he has spent his "Ask Bill Nye." career trying to make sci- Studying under as- ence fun and accessible. tronomer Carl Sagan at His teaching skills and Cornell, Nye developed a humor have encouraged a love for the field. He as- generation of young peo- sisted in the development ple and their parents to of a small sundial that was understand the science included in the Mars Ex- that makes the world ploration Rovers mission. work. Nye is vice president of He is a scientist, an The Planetary Society. He engineer, a comedian, an holds several patents, in- We've got yOU COVered: Sporting a lime-green "Lost?" t-shirt, Jim McLeod, dean of the author and an inventor. cluding one for an abacus College of Arts & Sciences and vice chancellor for students, assists freshmen Maryse Pearce, After graduating from Cornell that does arithmetic like a com- from New York City, and Michael Kim, from Los Angeles, in finding their way to class. During the University in 1977 with a bache- puter. He has written five science first two days of classes, a team of staff members and returning students volunteered to help ori- lor's degree in mechanical engi- books for children, including Bill ent new students to campus. Armed with campus maps and highlighters and wearing highly visi- neering, Nye worked as an engi- Nye's Great Big Book of Tiny ble shirts, the volunteers stood in strategic locations around campus. neer for Boeing in Seattle. (He Germs. designed a hydraulic resonance Since 2001, he has visited suppressor tube that is still flying Cornell regularly as part of the on Boeing 747s.) It was while he Frank H.T. Rhodes Visiting Pro- Urban sociologist Bobo to was in Seattle that Nye combined fessorship. his love for science with his talent EnCouncil, the undergraduate for comedy. student council in the School of While writing and performing Engineering and Applied Science, center's inaugural lecture Sept 12 for a Seattle comedy ensemble is sponsoring the event, which is television show, he developed the free and open to the public. BY NEIL SCHOENHERR urban/metropolitan America and to prepare stu- "Bill Nye the Science Guy" per- For more information, dents for the challenge of solving these problems. sona. From 1992-98, he wrote, call 935-4620 or go online to Lawrence D. Bobo, the Martin Luther King Jr. The urban research and policy center's founding produced and performed for his assemblyseries. wustl. edu. Centennial Professor at Stanford University, will director is Arts & Sciences' Carol Camp Yeakey, give the inaugural lecture for the Center on Ph.D., professor of education with appointments in Music department opens 2006-07 season Urban Research and Public Policy at 4 p.m. Sept. 12 American Culture Studies and in International and in Graham Chapel. Area Studies. The Department of Music in ers. The German-born Handel is Bobo, director of Stanford's Center for Compara- "Professor Bobo is one of the foremost urban so- Arts & Sciences opens its 2006- represented here by a group of tive Studies on Race and Ethnicity and of the Pro- ciologists in America," Yeakey said. "His research has 07 concert season at 8 p.m. Sept. concert arias. Soloist is Amy gram in African and African-American Studies, will been applauded in the highest intellectual circles in 11 with a performance by the Bonn, a St. Louis soprano who present "Facing the Urban Chal- the academy as he sheds light on the profound is- WUSTL Chamber Orchestra. has sung with Union Avenue lenge: Where Inequality, Race and sues and challenges confronting urban America. In The performance is free and Opera and other St. Louis vocal Immigration Meet." so doing, he analyzes as well similar problems faced open to the public and takes place groups. WUSTL's Center on Urban Re- by governments in cities across the globe. in Umrath Hall Lounge. The 20th-century portion of search and Public Policy, estab- "While examining urban America, his work The Chamber Orchestra com- the concert opens with the lished last year, is an interdiscipli- never fails to address the broader social and public prises both undergraduate and "Brook Green Suite" of Gustav nary effort dedicated to promot- policy questions that all of America must address. graduate students and is led by Hoist (1874-1934). Perhaps best ing scholarship and debate on His topic on the nation's crisis dealing with immi- Elizabeth Macdonald, director of known for "The Planets," a large critical issues facing urban Ameri- gration could not be more timely." strings in the music department. orchestra work, Hoist often em- ca. In addition to serving as a re- Bobo's research concerns race, ethnicity, politics Bobo The program will focus on the ployed folk idioms and composed search center, it also includes un- and social inequality and has appeared in top jour- music of two contrasting histori- a number of pieces for school and dergraduate and graduate pro- nals across the social sciences disciplines. cal periods — the 18th-century amateur groups throughout his grams in urban research and policy. He is founding editor for the Du Bois Review: So- Baroque and the early 20th cen- native England. The "Brook The center and the new interdisciplinary major cial Science Research and Race. He is co-author of tury — through the work of Green Suite" originally was writ- in urban studies draw faculty collaborators from the award-winning book Racial Attitudes in America: composers representing the ten for the orchestra at lames various academic units in Arts & Sciences — includ- Trends and Interpretations (1997), senior editor for breadth of Europe. Allen's Girls' School, in Dulwich. ing American Culture Studies, International and Prismatic Metropolis: Inequality in Los Angeles (2000) The concert opens with "Con- The program concludes with Area Studies, Social Thought and Analysis, and and co-editor of Racialized Politics: The Debate on certo Grosso No. 5 in B-flat" by five Greek dances for orchestra by African and Afro-American Studies — as well as Racism in America (2000). the mid-Baroque composer Ar- Nikos Skalkottas (1904-1949). from the George Warren Brown School of Social His most recent book is titled Prejudice in Poli- cangelo Corelli (1653-1713). A Despite his early death, at age 45, Work, the School of Law and its Interdisciplinary tics: Public Opinion, Group Position and the Wiscon- virtuoso violinist, Corelli spent Skalkottas created a large body of Institute for Children and Youth, and the School of sin Treaty Rights Dispute (2006). He is currently his career in Rome (under the pa- work though little of it was per- Architecture. conducting research on the "Race, Crime and Public tronage of cardinals of the Ro- formed in his lifetime. Trained in The center and its programs seek to draw serious Opinion" project. man Catholic Church) where he Athens and Berlin, his music re- examination to the profound issues confronting For more information, call 935-5216. composed an important body of flects a deep affinity to progres- instrumental works and estab- sive compositional approaches lished the foundations of modern established by Austro-Germanic violin technique. composers of the early 20th Renowned Irish poet Paul Muldoon to read Corelli's sonatas and concerto century. BYLIAMOTTEN W~~ 1 (1980), Quoof (1983), grossi also influenced the late- For more information, call Meeting The British Baroque works of George Frideric 935-4841 or email staylor@ Paul Muldoon, "the most signifi- (1987), Madoc: A Mys- Handel (1685-1759), among oth- artsci.wustl.edu. cant English-language poet tery (1990), The Annals born since the second World War" of Chile (1994), Hay according to The Times Literary (1998), Poems 1968- Supplement, will read from his 1998 (2001) and Moy work at 8 p.m. Sept. 14. The read- Sand and Gravel ing, part of the University's Wri- (2002), for which he ting Program Reading Series, is won the 2003 Pulitzer Founded in 1905 free and open to the public and Prize. His latest collec- Washington University community news takes place in the Women's tion, Horse Latitudes, Associate Vice Chancellor Judith Jasper Leicht Record (USPS 600-430; ISSN 1043-0520), Building Formal Lounge. will be released this fall. Executive Editor Susan Killenberg McGinn Volume 31, Number 5/Sept. 8, 2006. A reception and booksigning A fellow of the Editor Deborah Parker Published for the faculty, staff and friends will follow and copies of Mul- Royal Society of Litera- Associate Editor Andy Clendennen of Washington University. Produced weekly Assistant Editor Neil Schoenherr doon's books will be available for ture and the American during the school year, except school Medical News Editor Beth Miller holidays, and monthly during June, July purchase. For more information, Academy of Arts & Sci- Calendar Coordinator Genevieve Posey and August by the Office of Public Affairs, call 935-7130. ences, Muldoon re- Print Production Carl Jacobs Washington University, Campus Box 1070, Online Production Genevieve Posey Born in 1951 in County Ar- ceived the 1996 Ameri- One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, M0 63130. News & Comments magh, Northern Ireland, Muldoon can Academy of Arts & Periodicals postage paid at St. Louis, M0. Paul Muldoon has been heralded as "the was educated in Armagh and at Letters award in litera- (314) 935-6603 most significant English-language poet born Campus Box 1070 Where to send address changes the Queen's University of Belfast. since the second World War." ture. Other honors in- [email protected] Postmaster and nonemployees: Record, From 1973-1986 he worked in clude the 1994 T.S. Medical News Washington University, Campus Box 1070, Belfast as a radio and television Center for the Creative and Per- Eliot Prize, the 1997 (314)286-0119 • One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130. producer for the BBC. Since 1987 forming Arts. Between 1999-2004 Irish Times Poetry Prize, the 2003 Campus Box 8508 he has lived in the United States, he was also professor of poetry at Griffin International Prize for Ex- [email protected] Employees: Office of Human Resources, where he is now the Howard G.B. the University of Oxford. cellence in Poetry, the 2004 Amer- Calendar Submissions Washington University, Campus Box 1184, Clark '21 Professor in the Human- Muldoon's major collections ican Ireland Fund Literary Award, Fax: (314) 935-4259 One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, M0 63130. Campus Box 1070 ities at Princeton University, as include New Weather (1973), the 2004 Shakespeare Prize and [email protected] well as chair of the University Mules (1977), Why Brownlee Left the 2005 Aspen Prize for Poetry. 8 RECORD WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS Sept 8,2006 Washington People

Patients come to Christo- pher Eagon, M.D., having suffered a lifetime's worth of indignities. Severely obese, they are forced to pay for two seats on airplanes, shop for clothes in special stores and endure stares, derisive com- ments and other reminders that they don't fit in. Eagon specializes in weight-loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery. The technique he uses most frequently reduces the stom- ach from the size of a football to that of an egg and shortens the length of the intestine. This so- called gastric bypass surgery helps patients lose weight by decreasing the number of calories they can consume and absorb. Eagon has' performed more than 900 such surgeries since 1999, giving many patients a new lease on life. "For people who are severely overweight, gastric bypass can make a profound difference in their lives," says Eagon, assistant professor of surgery and surgical director of Washington Universi- ty's Weight Management Center. Chris Eagon talks with Alison Snyder-Warwick, a surgery resident, about a bariatric case. This month, "The stories my patients tell me Washington University's bariatric surgery program was named a Center of Excellence by the American really pull on my heartstrings be- Society for Bariatric Surgery. This designation signifies that the program meets or exceeds national cause they are so dramatic." standards for safety and patient outcomes.

follow his interest in medical in- When Eagon started doing formatics, a growing field that bariatric surgery, little was known Changing lives with compassion uses computers to gather and ana- about complications associated lyze patient information so that with the procedure or its long- He recalls one patient whose one of the nation's most pressing doctors can make better decisions term success. His training in med- Eagon's gastric life's aspiration was to be a police health problems. Today, about 30 about their care. Eagon spent two ical informatics has helped him officer. The man was extremely percent of American adults are years at the University of Utah analyze outcomes of his patients bypass surgery obese, and his weight kept him obese, including about 3 percent completing a fellowship in med- and predict how individual pa- from reaching his goal. He also who are morbidly obese. Morbid ical informatics before returning tients will fare. patients regain a had a passion for motorcycles but obesity is defined as a body mass to Washington University in 1997 Last year, Eagon and his col- was far too big to ride. index (BMI) of 40 or more, and as a faculty member in the section league Valerie Halpin, M.D., assis- sense of normalcy Eagon performed a gastric by- gastric bypass is generally limited of hepatobiliary-pancreatic and tant professor of surgery, per- pass, and the patient's weight sta- to these patients. A 5-foot-9-inch gastrointestinal surgery. formed 155 gastric bypass surger- bilized at near normal. Several person would have a BMI of 40 at "Dr. Eagon was one of our ies. Nearly three-fourths were la- years later, he visited Eagon at the 271 pounds. most outstanding chief residents, paroscopic, using small incisions clinic. and tiny instruments guided by "He came on his motorcycle — miniature cameras. This tech- it was a little street rocket — and nique reduces the risk of compli- he had applied for and entered the cations, including wound infec- police academy and was ecstatic to "Dr. Eagon is one of the most compassionate tions, postoperative pain and her- finally be a police officer. people I have ever worked with. This is a very nias at the site of the incision, and "It is incredibly gratifying to also shortens the hospital stay. follow these patients as they move vulnerable population with numerous physical, Benefits of gastric bypass are BY CAROLINE ARBANAS on with their lives," Eagon says. psychological and emotional needs, and he treats quite dramatic. The average pa- When patients first come to see tient loses about 70 percent of his Eagon, they typically have been each patient with the utmost respect and concern excess body weight in the first through numerous failed diets and Their well-being is his top priority." year, Eagon's research shows, and their self-confidence is quite low. patients keep 55 percent of excess DONNA MARIN Many have faced some type of dis- weight off 15 years later. For ex- crimination or bias. Eagon, al- ample, a patient who is 200 though tall and thin himself, tries pounds over his ideal body weight to understand all that his patients In addition to long-term both in terms of clinical judgment of 180 will lose about 140 pounds have experienced. They are quickly weight loss, the surgery can and technical excellence," says in the first year. He will typically drawn to his calm, caring manner. quickly reverse the complications Strasberg, now Pruett Professor of regain 30 pounds over the next "Dr. Eagon is one of the most of obesity, including Type 2 dia- Surgery and head of the Division four years but remain 110 pounds compassionate people I have ever betes and high blood pressure, as of Hepatobiliary and Gastroin- below his original weight 15 years worked with," says Donna Marin, well as remedy breathing prob- testinal Surgery. "He is an indus- later. R.N., who has worked with him lems such as sleep apnea, improve trious physician with a keen ana- Eagon often handles compli- for six years. "This is a very vul- quality of life and reduce the risk lytical mind, great skill in open cated cases, including patients that nerable population with numer- of premature death. and laparoscopic surgery and are extremely heavy, who are re- ous physical, psychological and Eagon's interest in obesity and (has) a sensitive, caring nature." ferred to the University because emotional needs, and he treats digestive maladies has its roots in Eagon says the ability to do they don't meet the criteria set by each patient with the utmost re- research he did as a Harvard clinical research in addition to other institutions. "Our program spect and concern. Their well- medical student. With NASA maintaining a surgical practice is has experience with very difficult being is his top priority." funding, he and his colleagues what drew him back to St. Louis. cases, and if we can do the diffi- Demand for gastric bypass sur- studied motion sickness with a "What impressed me most about cult cases well and have good out- gery has grown dramatically in re- special focus on developing a cure Washington University is the comes, we can handle the easier cent years as obesity has become for the nausea that unexpectedly strong focus and interest on aca- ones." develops in nearly a third of as- demic medicine," he says. "I felt When he is not with his pa- tronauts as they hurtle through like the faculty's commitment to tients, Eagon savors time spent space. academic medicine was stronger with his family, including five Through this experience, he here. And this is one of the rea- children who range in age from 8 learned a lot about gastrointesti- sons why I continue to feel pas- to 21. His younger two are boys, nal motility — the way food sionate about my work." and last year Eagon was the assis- moves through the digestive tract. Eagon returned to St. Louis tant coach of their hockey team. In obesity surgery, gastrointestinal shortly after Samuel Klein, M.D., He is also an avid skier, and espe- motility is altered, thereby de- the Danforth Professor of Medi- cially enjoys downhill ski racing. creasing hunger and promoting cine and Nutritional Science, %s- weight loss. tablished the University's Weight Eagon completed a general Management Center. The center surgery residency at Washington helps patients lose weight through University, where he was also traditional means — diet and ex- Christopher Eagon chief resident. During his train- ercise — but Klein also was inter- ing, he became interested in out- ested in offering weight-loss sur- Education: bachelor's degree, biology, comes research as it relates to par- gery to patients for whom medi- Williams College, 1984; medical ticular surgical procedures. cal weight management is not ef- degree, Harvard Medical School, 1988 "I was interested not only in fective. Hometown: New Brighton, Minnesota whether patients live or die but Strasberg saw in Eagon a their quality of life, recovery time, skilled surgeon with a background Family: Wife, Jane; children Sarah, side effects and the cost of their and interest in gastrointestinal Emily, Haley, Matthew and Eric The Eagon family at their home last Christmas: (From left) Eric (8), care," he says. motility and outcomes research, Hobbies: Coaching sons' hockey team Emily Czerniejewski (18), Matthew (9), Haley (15), Sarah Czernie- Eagon's adviser, Steven Stras- and tapped him to spearhead the and downhill skiing and ski racing jewski (21), wife Jane and Chris Eagon. berg, M.D., encouraged him to bariatric surgery program.