Washington University School of Medicine Digital Commons@Becker Washington University Record Washington University Publications 1-22-2009 Washington University Record, January 22, 2009 Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/record Recommended Citation "Washington University Record, January 22, 2009" (2009). Washington University Record. Book 1165. http://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/record/1165 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: Vaccine to prevent Arch man: Saarinen retrospective Washington People: Azariadis lung cancer relapse tested at Siteman opens at Kemper Museum Jan. 30 *§ connects WUSTL and the world 8 ^Jfehington University in St Louis Jan. 22, 2009 record.wustl.edu Wihl to become dean of faculty of Arts & Sciences BY SUSAN KILLENBERG MCGINN "Gary Wihl brings his many talents as candidates of great merit, I can say with support of an intellectually diverse group," both an accomplished scholar and an expe- confidence that Gary is exactly the academic said James V. Wertsch, Ph.D., the Marshall Gary S. Wihl, Ph.D., dean of Rice rienced administrator to Washington leader we were looking for and who will S. Snow Professor in Arts & Sciences, who University's School of Humanities and University at a very important time in our enjoy great support among the key constitu- co-chaired the advisory committee. "Gary a highly respected scholar and aca- history," Wrighton said. "I am grateful for encies of Arts & Sciences — faculty, stu- Wihl did. He brought exciting ideas to the demic leader, will become dean of the fac- the excellent work of those on the advisory dents, staff and alumni. table about the opportunities and challenges ulty of Arts & Sciences July 1, according to committee for identifying such an outstand- "He brings to this that will face all of us. We also found Gary Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton. ing candidate to fill this important role on position the right mix of to be someone who understands the broader Wihl will succeed Ralph S. Quatrano, the University's senior leadership team. qualities, values and societal context in which universities work Ph.D., the Spencer T. Olin Professor and "We are excited about the prospect of experience, including his and ways to shape, rather than just react to, former chair of the Department of Biology working with Gary Wihl and will value the multidisciplinary out- this context. This has been a key to the in Arts & Sciences. Quatrano has been intellectual leadership he will bring to Arts look, proven commit- major successes he has had in fund raising. serving as interim dean of the faculty of & Sciences and to the University more ment to fostering diver- "The committee was convinced that Gary Arts & Sciences since July 1,2008, when broadly," Wrighton said. sity and outstanding will bring thoughtful new perspectives to Edward S. Macias, Ph.D., was selected to "As co-chair of the 16-member Advisory fund-raising record," she everything from the graduate and under- become provost and executive vice chancel- Committee on the Appointment of the Dean Wihl said. "I am delighted graduate curriculum, to research, to fund lor for academic affairs. of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences, I am that Gary has agreed to raising for the sciences, social sciences and Macias, the Barbara and David Thomas thrilled to convey our enthusiastic support guide us forward in these challenging humanities at Washington University," Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences, for Gary's appointment," said Elzbieta times." said Wertsch, who also is director of the served as dean of the faculty of Arts & Sklodowska, Ph.D., the Randolph Family "We had a very large committee repre- McDonnell International Scholars Academy Sciences for 15 years prior to his appoint- Professor in Arts & Sciences. "After thor- senting every part of the Arts & Sciences, so and of International & Area Studies. ment to his new position. oughly reviewing a large and diverse pool of candidates had to inspire and win the See Wihl, Page 7 Liver fat, not body shape, is main factor in heart woes BY JIM DRYDEN pears or apples, it was fat in the liver that influenced metabolic For years, pear-shaped people risk. who carry weight in the thighs "Abdominal fat is not the best and backside have been told they marker for risk," Klein said. "It are at lower risk for high blood appears liver fat is the real marker. pressure and heart disease than Abdominal fat probably has been apple-shaped people who carry fat cited in the past because it tends in the abdomen. to track so closely with liver fat. But new findings from School But if you look at people where of Medicine nutrition researchers the two don't correspond — with suggest body-shape comparisons excess fat in the liver but not in don't completely explain the risk. the abdomen and vice versa — In two studies, researchers the only thing that consistently report excess liver fat appears to predicts metabolic derangements be the real key to insulin resis- is fat in the liver." tance, cholesterol abnormalities In a second study, Klein's team and other problems that contrib- found nonalcoholic fatty liver ute to diabetes and cardiovascular disease was related to the release disease. Having too much fat of larger amounts of fatty acids stored in the liver is known as into the bloodstream that were, in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. turn, linked to elevated triglycer- "Since obesity is so much more ides and to insulin resistance, a common now, both in adults and key precursor to type 2 diabetes. Remembering MLK Members of Afriky Lolo, a nationally acclaimed West African dance company in children, we are seeing "Multiple organ sys- located in St. Louis, perform during WUSTL's 22nd annual celebration honoring Martin Luther King a corresponding increase tems become resistant to Jr. Jan. 19 in Graham Chapel. Titled "Shattering Ceilings: Celebrating Success in Pursuit of 'The in the incidence of non- insulin in these adoles- Dream'," the event featured remarks from Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton and Camille A. Nelson, alcoholic fatty liver cent children with fatty visiting professor of law, as well as performances from the University City High School Jazz Band disease," said senior liver disease," he said. and WUSTL student groups Black Anthology, Visions Gospel Choir, Sur Awaaz South Asian a investigator Samuel "The liver becomes cappella group and The Greenleafs female a cappella group. Adrienne Glore, former associate dean Klein, M.D., the resistant to insulin, and of students, and Judy Bentley, president and CEO of Community Health-ln-Partnership Services of Danforth Professor of muscle tissue does, too. St. Louis, were presented with the Rosa L. Parks Award for Meritorious Service to the Community. Medicine and This tells us fat in the Nutritional Science. liver is a marker for "That can lead to serious Klein metabolic problems Carnaghi, Carroll, Glass and Steiner-Lang promoted liver disorders such as throughout the entire cirrhosis in extreme cases, but system." BY NEIL SCHOENHERR community is fortunate to have curricular activities for students. more often it tends to have meta- The findings indicate that many talented people providing a She works closely with the Office bolic consequences." children and adults with fatty Four top WUSTL administrators great experience for our students," of Student Activities, the Com- Klein, who heads the Division liver disease should be targeted have received promotions, Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton said. munity Services Office, event of Geriatrics and Nutritional for intensive interventions, Klein announced James E. McLeod, vice "Jill, Justin, Kathy and Alan are services, the Greek life office, Science and runs the Center for said. Those who are obese but chancellor for students and dean dedicated, talented and highly student organizations and campus Human Nutrition, studied obese don't have fatty liver disease still of the College of Arts & Sciences. valued contributors here. It is ministers. She also serves as ad- adolescents. They were divided should be encouraged to lose Jill Carnaghi, Ph.D., assistant rewarding to everyone in our viser to the Student Union. into two groups: obese with exces- weight, but those with evidence vice chancellor for students and community to see the success of She received the 2004 Excel- sive liver fat and those with no of fatty liver are at particularly dean of campus life, and Justin these leaders." lence in Practice Award from the evidence of fatty liver disease. The high risk for heart disease and Carroll, assistant vice chancellor "All of these people have American College Personnel groups were matched by age, sex, diabetes and need to be treated for students and dean of students, worked tirelessly for the benefit of Association and the 2007 Richard body mass index, body fat per- aggressively with therapies to have each been promoted to asso- the University and its students," Caple Professional Award from the centage and degree of obesity. help them lose weight. ciate vice chancellor. McLeod said. "We want stable Missouri College Personnel The researchers determined "Fatty liver disease is com- Kathy Steiner-Lang, director of leadership in place so we are ready Association. that children with fatty liver dis- pletely reversible," he said. "If you the Office for International Stu- for the challenges that lie ahead Carnaghi came to WUSTL ease also had abnormalities in lose weight, you quickly eliminate dents and Scholars, and Alan and for the next phase of our from the University of Vermont, glucose and fat metabolism, in- fat in your liver.