Category: Scholar Voices

From Lab to Podcast: McDonnell Scholar Allison Martinez Mejia Earns Prestigious Fellowship and Engages Young Minds

The McDonnell Academy takes pride in recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of McDonnell Scholar Allison Martinez Mejia, who continues to distinguish herself through remarkable academic and research achievements. Allison, a biomedical PhD student at the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), has been honored with an AAHHE Graduate Fellowship, awarded by […]

Fostering Connections Through the McDonnell Scholar Network: A Collaborative Opportunity

By: Mustafa Rfat As a McDonnell Scholar at Washington University in St. Louis, I’ve been fortunate to be part of a diverse and supportive academic network. This network not only provides an opportunity to collaborate with fellow scholars but also allows for meaningful connections beyond our immediate circles. A recent example of this occurred when […]

Navigating politics, culture and global leadership in Washington DC

This spring, McDonnell Scholars from the 2022 and 2023 cohorts visited the nation’s capital to experience first-hand Washington, D.C.’s political and cultural landscape, expand their professional network, and build personal connections through their shared experience. Joining them on the trip were founding benefactor, John McDonnell, and Chancellor Emeritus Mark Wrighton, both of whom remain actively […]

Exploring Bayer: McDonnell Scholars’ insightful journey

During a special visit to Bayer Crop Science in St. Louis, over 20 McDonnell Scholars had the opportunity to network with experts across multiple sectors during panel sessions. They also gained firsthand knowledge of Bayer’s unique B4U Program and its impact on healthcare and agriculture. Through engaging discussions, a guided tour, and a networking lunch, […]

McDonnell MBA Scholars Represent WashU at McGill Int’l Portfolio Challenge in Montreal

By: Jorge Concha and Felipe Quaassdorff, McDonnell Scholars During the first weekend of November, McGill University, a prestigious university from Montreal, Canada, hosted its new version of the McGill International Portfolio Challenge (MIPC), in which each year there is a unique case to solve the most important challenges pension funds are facing. Universities worldwide send […]

Medicine to Media: The 3 A’s of Conveying Critical Information

by Tewodros Liyew, McDonnell Scholar Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a multiple Emmy®-award winning chief medical correspondent for CNN and host of the CNN podcast Chasing Life and practicing neurosurgeon, was the guest of honor at the McDonnell Academy’s Monthly Meet-up and Lunch on November 15th! During the fireside chat moderated by Dr. William Powderly, J. William Campbell Professor of Medicine and co-director of […]

Embracing Cultural Awareness in Global Health Research

October 7, 2023 | Allison Martinez, McDonnell Scholar A small change can make a big difference. Mikhuna, a pilot clinical study in Ecuador, showed us the striking impact that a change in nutrition has on enhancing fetal growth and development. This is the result of the collaborative work of Lora Iannotti, professor at the Brown School […]

Inspired by materials, shapes, and humans: Digital transformation in our future

October 7, 2023 | Hsin-Yi Cindy Chou, McDonnell Scholar Can you imagine a computer made of only plastic pieces? Did you know a mug can actually be a donut? Have you ever tried to predict what would people do next by their actions? In the final session of Global Research Symposium: Forces Reshaping The World held on Oct. […]

Promoting Age Inclusivity

October 7, 2023 | Jorge Concha Tagle, McDonnell Scholar The Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging at the Institute for Public Health and the McDonnell International Scholars Academy hosted an engaging workshop aimed at advancing understanding and promoting age inclusivity. The Center, housed at Washington University in St. Louis, is at the forefront of addressing the […]

Breaking Down Boundaries for Interdisciplinary Collaboration

As diseases have no boundaries, interdisciplinary collaboration should not either October 6, 2023 | Ekua Mbrah Inkoom, McDonnell Scholar Professor Shanti Parikh began the Social Innovation session of the 2023 McDonnell International Scholars Academy Symposium on a strong note by asking, Are diseases creative and omnipresent, and why are we in siloed disciplines in academia? Our research, […]