News & Events

The McDonnell International Scholars Academy’s cohort trip to New York City during March 2025 spring break reinforced the central idea that true leadership is deeply rooted in people and connections. A standout moment of the trip was a reception hosted by WashU alumnus Josh Rahn, BSBA ’94, and his wife, Jessica Rahn, at their home. Josh, […]

The McDonnell International Scholars Academy supports Scholars’ opportunity to attend conferences and travel beyond the St. Louis region, as valuable opportunities for leadership development, community building, and expanding professional networks. Sponsored conference and recruitment travel includes guidance on how Scholars represent and promote WashU and the McDonnell Academy. As global representatives of the Academy, Scholars bring […]

On Monday, October 13, 2025, the McDonnell International Scholars Academy hosted the first installment of its Global Leadership Visions Series, an enlightening assembly of thought leaders who share their perspectives on global challenges through the lens of leadership, their academic work, and their interests as a global citizens.

Larry Atakora-Amaniampong, a McDonnell Scholar and Biomedical Engineering PhD student in McKelvey School of Engineering at WashU, is spearheading a commendable initiative to donate teaching laboratory equipment from WashU’s Department of Biomedical Engineering to three under-resourced BME departments in Ghana.

Gun Yi Park, a 2024 McDonnell Scholar and PhD student in Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering at WashU’s McKelvey School of Engineering, achieved significant recognition at the WashU Center for Water Innovation Research Symposium on September 8, 2025.

As we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the McDonnell International Scholars Academy, we are filled with tremendous pride and excitement to welcome our 20th cohort of Scholars. This year marks not only two decades of fostering global partnerships and academic excellence but also the arrival of our 20th cohort of McDonnell Scholars. We are thrilled […]

Qiang Li, CEO of Steve Madden China, received the 2025 Mark S. Wrighton Award, honoring his leadership, innovation, and dedication to the community engagement.

We are honored to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating McDonnell Scholars at the 2025 Recognition Ceremony on May 13—a remarkable group of WashU students representing a wide range of disciplines and global perspectives.

In Spring 2025, McDonnell Academy Scholars had the opportunity to engage with Dr. Jaymin Amin, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Corning Incorporated, as part of the Academy’s Lunch with a Leader series.

Through immersive experiences at iconic landmarks, esteemed cultural institutions, and the heart of the world’s financial hub, the Scholars gained invaluable insights. Explore the reflections and lessons learned from several McDonnell Scholars, who discovered new dimensions of leadership and community during the 2025 Cohort Trip to New York City.

Eleven distinguished senior McDonnell Scholars competed for top honors and recognition at the annual McDonnell Academy PhD-in-3D competition held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Young-Shin Jun, professor of energy, environmental & chemical engineering, is among seven faculty members at WashU and 471 new fellows selected by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), one of the most distinct honors in the scientific community.

On Monday, October 13, 2025, the McDonnell International Scholars Academy hosted the first installment of its Global Leadership Visions Series, an enlightening assembly of thought leaders who share their perspectives on global challenges through the lens of leadership, their academic work, and their interests as a global citizens.

Larry Atakora-Amaniampong, a McDonnell Scholar and Biomedical Engineering PhD student in McKelvey School of Engineering at WashU, is spearheading a commendable initiative to donate teaching laboratory equipment from WashU’s Department of Biomedical Engineering to three under-resourced BME departments in Ghana.

Gun Yi Park, a 2024 McDonnell Scholar and PhD student in Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering at WashU’s McKelvey School of Engineering, achieved significant recognition at the WashU Center for Water Innovation Research Symposium on September 8, 2025.

Through immersive experiences at iconic landmarks, esteemed cultural institutions, and the heart of the world’s financial hub, the Scholars gained invaluable insights. Explore the reflections and lessons learned from several McDonnell Scholars, who discovered new dimensions of leadership and community during the 2025 Cohort Trip to New York City.

McKelvey School of Engineering | February 13, 2025 Somtochukwu Okafor, McDonnell Scholar and biomedical engineering PhD student, in collaboration with Alexandra Rutz, assistant professor of biomedical engineering in the McKelvey School of Engineering, developed a technique to 3D print bioelectronic scaffolds that could help new tissue grow that could be used for drug development, environmental […]

Robert Kasumba, a 3rd-year McDonnell Scholar, is making a meaningful impact as a board member of the Harambee Center, a nonprofit fostering cultural exchange between East Africa and North America.

On November 9, 2024, the McDonnell Scholars brought the Global Food Science Experience to Saint Louis Science Center Sci-FEAST.

The Bayer for You (B4U) Mentorship Program connected McDonnell Scholars with Bayer Crop Science mentors for three months of leadership and career development.

On October 31, 2024, McDonnell Scholars visited Nestlé Purina’s St. Louis campus to explore leadership and innovation, including a corporate showcase, global strategy insights, and discussions with executives, emphasizing the translation of academic expertise into industry impact.

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.

As a McDonnell Scholar at Washington University in St. Louis, I’ve been fortunate to be part of a diverse and supportive academic network.

Washington, DC: A monumental recall

Larry Atakora-Amaniampong, a McDonnell Scholar and Biomedical Engineering PhD student in McKelvey School of Engineering at WashU, is spearheading a commendable initiative to donate teaching laboratory equipment from WashU’s Department of Biomedical Engineering to three under-resourced BME departments in Ghana.

Gun Yi Park, a 2024 McDonnell Scholar and PhD student in Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering at WashU’s McKelvey School of Engineering, achieved significant recognition at the WashU Center for Water Innovation Research Symposium on September 8, 2025.

Eleven distinguished senior McDonnell Scholars competed for top honors and recognition at the annual McDonnell Academy PhD-in-3D competition held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

McKelvey School of Engineering | February 13, 2025 Somtochukwu Okafor, McDonnell Scholar and biomedical engineering PhD student, in collaboration with Alexandra Rutz, assistant professor of biomedical engineering in the McKelvey School of Engineering, developed a technique to 3D print bioelectronic scaffolds that could help new tissue grow that could be used for drug development, environmental […]

Robert Kasumba, a 3rd-year McDonnell Scholar, is making a meaningful impact as a board member of the Harambee Center, a nonprofit fostering cultural exchange between East Africa and North America.

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.

As a McDonnell Scholar at Washington University in St. Louis, I’ve been fortunate to be part of a diverse and supportive academic network.

By: Jorge Concha and Felipe Quaassdorff, McDonnell Scholars

Sherria Ayuandini, a devoted board game fan, frequently hosted game nights with the McDonnell Academy Scholars when she lived in St. Louis. Dr. Ayuandini is a McDonnell Academy alumnus and partner Scholar from the University of Indonesia. Her 30th birthday bash, a colossal game night, became the “highlight of her decade” as many Scholars joined […]

Young-Shin Jun, professor of energy, environmental & chemical engineering, is among seven faculty members at WashU and 471 new fellows selected by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), one of the most distinct honors in the scientific community.

A total of 20 projects won, allowing research examining a whole host of issues, from the cyber defense of medical devices to the impacts of affordable housing on physical activity and health in Brazil. Funding for this year’s cycle is made possible with support from the Office of the Provost, the “Here and Next” strategic plan, and the Millard family gift to the McDonnell International Scholars Academy. By the numbers

Nurturing research through Global Accelerator Grants Since its 2020 inception, the McDonnell Academy Seed Grant initiative has served as researchers’ starting point. This year, we expanded it by integrating the McDonnell Academy Global Accelerator Grant, enhancing opportunities for endeavors gaining momentum. This crucial support nurtures initial ideas, ensures preliminary data collection, and propels projects to […]

ICHAD Director Fred Ssewamala and Dr. Mary McKay discuss engaging adolescents in research and policy on Uganda’s morning show at NTV

The key objective of the Global Health Seed Funding effort was to help stimulate new global health research collaborations, strengthen existing partnerships and projects, and help faculty become more competitive for larger, extramural grant opportunities. 

This year’s awards are made possible by the McDonnell International Scholars Academy and the Office of the Provost’s joint investment of nearly half a million dollars.

Proscovia Nabunya, assistant professor at the Brown School and Co-Director of the International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD); and Patricia Cavazos-Rehg, professor of psychiatry at the School of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis, have received a five-year $1.2 million research grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to address depression among youth living with HIV in Uganda.

The McDonnell International Scholars Academy is pleased to announce the second cycle of its Global Incubator Seed Grants Initiative.

Professors of radiation oncology at Washington University in St. Louis are teaming up with the Uganda Cancer Institute and Makerere University School of Medicine in Africa to modernize radiation therapy for cancer patients. WashU’s collaboration with the Uganda Cancer Institute is supported by the McDonnell Academy’s 2021 Global Incubator Seed Grant initiative. Makerere University is […]

The McDonnell Academy COVID-19 Seed Grant Initiative reports positive outcomes in the first year since the project’s launch in October 2020. The initiative awarded $250,000 total to kick-start 10 research projects chosen from a highly competitive applicant pool, which included 34 WashU teams from six of the university’s schools and 23 partner institutions. The projects address the international social, […]

The China Journal of Social Work has honored work by an international team of scholars with the 2020 Best Article award for their study on the rebirth of social work in mainland China. The international team includes scholars from Saint Louis University, Peking University, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Washington University’s Center for Social Development. In a […]

On Monday, October 13, 2025, the McDonnell International Scholars Academy hosted the first installment of its Global Leadership Visions Series, an enlightening assembly of thought leaders who share their perspectives on global challenges through the lens of leadership, their academic work, and their interests as a global citizens.

We are honored to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating McDonnell Scholars at the 2025 Recognition Ceremony on May 13—a remarkable group of WashU students representing a wide range of disciplines and global perspectives.

In Spring 2025, McDonnell Academy Scholars had the opportunity to engage with Dr. Jaymin Amin, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Corning Incorporated, as part of the Academy’s Lunch with a Leader series.

Eleven distinguished senior McDonnell Scholars competed for top honors and recognition at the annual McDonnell Academy PhD-in-3D competition held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

The McDonnell Academy hosted an insightful S.T. Lee Endowed Lectureship at WashU and reception featuring Dr. Sam Myers, who explored the critical intersection of human health and environmental stability.

Through this comprehensive and hopeful perspective, Dr. Samuel Myers, MD, MPH will present strategies to mitigate environmental changes, including controlling toxic exposures, investing in clean energy, and improving urban design.

The McDonnell Scholars Academy is thrilled to partner with the Saint Louis Science Center to bring the “Global Food Science Experience” to the St. Louis community on Nov 9th.

The McDonnell Academy Cabot Corporation-Xinsheng Zhang Endowed Lectureship at Washington University in St. Louis presents a discussion on US-China relations.

The day after WashU’s 2024 commencement, the McDonnell Academy hosted a recognition ceremony to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of our graduating Scholars.

The McDonnell Scholars Academy at Washington University will host its annual recognition ceremony.

Similar to the University of Queensland’s 3MT Competition, this event promises an evening of engaging presentations based on research being conducted at WashU.

Fostering stronger connections, McDonnell Academy introduces Alumni Regional Events—a new initiative for global community engagement. This initiative seeks to engage the St. Louis McDonnell Academy alumni and expand professional networks. We hope this local initiative will serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives among our regional alumni, both in the US and abroad. Join our […]

The McDonnell International Scholars Academy’s cohort trip to New York City during March 2025 spring break reinforced the central idea that true leadership is deeply rooted in people and connections. A standout moment of the trip was a reception hosted by WashU alumnus Josh Rahn, BSBA ’94, and his wife, Jessica Rahn, at their home. Josh, […]

Qiang Li, CEO of Steve Madden China, received the 2025 Mark S. Wrighton Award, honoring his leadership, innovation, and dedication to the community engagement.

We are honored to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating McDonnell Scholars at the 2025 Recognition Ceremony on May 13—a remarkable group of WashU students representing a wide range of disciplines and global perspectives.

WashU’s McDonnell International Scholars Academy is pleased to share that the Mark S. Wrighton Award will now be $25,000, beginning in 2025—more than doubling from its previous amount of $10,000.

Thanks to the incredible support of our McDonnell Academy Alumni, we achieved our goal of providing 22 personalized welcome letters to the 2024 cohort of McDonnell Scholars.

The McDonnell Academy Scholar for Life Initiative aims to enhance and sustain alumni engagement with the McDonnell Academy, WashU, and the St. Louis region through targeted initiatives aligned with WashU’s Here and Next strategic plan. Welcome Letter Writing Alumni write personalized welcome letters to new Scholars, sharing their own experiences and offering guidance. This initiative […]

An honor that recognizes alumni who exemplify global leadership, academic excellence, and a sustained commitment to the mission of the Academy.

Staying engaged with the McDonnell International Scholars Academy can connect you to a network of alumni and Scholars in your community and around the world.

Celebrating Connections: Highlighting the St. Louis McDonnell Academy Alumni Reception We recently had the pleasure of hosting the St. Louis McDonnell Academy Alumni Reception, a great event that brought together a wonderful group St. Louis alumni, along with their families. The event facilitated the reconnection of old friends and the formation of new connections amid […]

Fostering stronger connections, McDonnell Academy introduces Alumni Regional Events—a new initiative for global community engagement. This initiative seeks to engage the St. Louis McDonnell Academy alumni and expand professional networks. We hope this local initiative will serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives among our regional alumni, both in the US and abroad. Join our […]

Introducing Dr. Fernando Lopez, recipient of the 2023 Mark S. Wrighton Award for McDonnell Academy Alumni—an honor that celebrates distinguished alumni who demonstrate outstanding leadership, global engagement, and continued dedication to the values of the McDonnell Academy. In this conversation with Laura Benoist, director of the McDonnell Academy, Dr. Lopez discusses his time as a […]

McDonnell Academy alumna Chuanmei Zhu, who earned her PhD in Plant and Microbial Bioscience from WashU in 2014, recently reconnected with Laura Benoist, director of the McDonnell Academy. Zhu currently serves as the VP of Data Science, Partnership, and Outreach at Premier Strategy Consulting, LLC. Her success is a testament to how McDonnell Academy graduates […]