College of Arts and Sciences

In February, a group of eight Communication students traveled to sunny Los Angeles to explore career paths in communication fields. As a part of the Career Kickstart professional development program, Career Exploration Trips give Communication students the opportunity to expand their networks in Los Angeles, New York City, D.C., and Seattle, and gives them the opportunity to explore careers that may not be obvious. Trips are little to no cost to students, thanks to the Christopher Rauch Meyer Endowed Fund, established by UW alum Paul Meyer in honor of his son. 

The College of Arts & Sciences celebrates undergraduate and graduate students from across all four divisions, who are recognized for making the most of their time at the UW. 

Ron Krabill, a professor in UW Bothells School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences and director of the Global Sport Lab in the UW Jackson School of International Studies, is co-leading this years UW Summer Institute in the Arts & Humanities Seattles World Cup: Storytelling Through Community Mapping. Krabill talked with UW News about his plans for participating students, his background in sports scholarship, what hell be watching during Seattles tournament games and more.

Every summer, UW researchers head to northern Botswana to study how large predators, such as lions and African wild dogs, are affected by climate change and other shifts in their environment. UW News asked a few team members to describe their plans for this summer.

Two biologists at UW believe they have found a nontoxic method to control burrowing ghost shrimp. Jennifer Ruesink, professor of biology at the UW, is quoted.

UW Department of Communication alum and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, David Horsey, '76, first discovered his love for journalism where so many Daily alumni have: in the orange-painted walls of The Daily’s newsroom in the Communications Building, CMU 132.

Mary Brunkow graduated from UW with a bachelor’s degree in molecular and cellular biology in 1983 before pursuing a Ph.D. in the same field at Princeton University. 

For decades, scientists have understood that plants can release volatile organic compoundsessentially airborne chemical signalsto attract the natural enemies of the things that eat them, like caterpillars. What we didnt know was exactly how a plant translates the physical act of being eaten into a specific, predator-summoning distress signal. Adam Steinbrenner, an associate professor of biology at the UW, is quoted.

A hummingbird darts up to a flower, slips in its long, thin beak and drinks. The whole visit lasts a fraction of a second, and for years scientists assumed the bird simply sucked the sweet liquid up and swallowed. Alejandro Rico-Guevara, associate professor of biology at the UW and curator of birds at the UW Burke Museum, is mentioned.

Using fabric, oil paint, glycerin and wax, Mackender explores the way humans and animals share the experience of grief.

Roberto Maestas grew up in a small New Mexico town but became a Seattle legend as a UW student and social-justice leader.

Roberto Maestas grew up in a small New Mexico town but became a Seattle legend as a UW student and social-justice leader.

One of UW President Robert J. Jones’ goals is to make the UW a place where every Washington student might graduate debt-free. UW Magazine articulates how that goal could be in reach, thanks to a combination of federal financial aid, state support, institutional grants, scholarships, and students showing their trademark Husky tenacity and work ethic. You can read the story, which features profiles of students from all three UW campuses, here.

Elissa Khodikian, a graduate student in the Department of Biology, researches how certain mosquito species adapt to saline environments in the Pacific Northwest. Originally from Lebanon and later studying in Canada, Elissa came to UW to continue her research under Dr. Andrea Durant. Her story highlights her passion for evolutionary biology and the important role mentorship as well as community have played in shaping her experience at UW.

Mary Brunkow's unconventional journey from UW genetics student to Nobel laureate was shaped by a love of discovery.