ProSPER is a graduate student group dedicated to promoting science policy, education, and research.

ProSPER Blog posts are educational exercises intended to develop students’ communication skills. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ProSPER or Washington University in St. Louis.

Learn more about ProSPER here.

Latest blog posts

Science

Encouraging results from mitochondrial replacement therapy study in the UK

November 3, 2025
Schematic showing mitochondrial replacement therapy by pronuclear transfer. Image obtained from The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Many of us know mitochondria as the powerhouses of the cell. These cellular compartments are considered a hub for metabolism and are also involved in communicating within the cell, responding to stress, and regulating cell death. […]
Saving Lives, Saving Costs: Why Missouri Taxpayers Should Care About Homeless Interventions
Op-Ed, Policy

Saving Lives, Saving Costs: Why Missouri Taxpayers Should Care About Homeless Interventions

October 9, 2024
Research indicates that for every dollar allocated to Housing First, $1.44 is recouped in related public savings. Similarly, every dollar invested in medical respite yields a return of $1.81 in reduced hospital expenditures. The vast majority of evidence indicates that the long-term savings generated by these programs far exceed the initial spending and create sustainable models for addressing homelessness and reducing healthcare costs. So, while skepticism or hesitation regarding the initial investments required to establish these programs is understandable, it is clear that the cost of inaction is far greater.
Science

Gene Therapy: A New Frontier in Medicine 

By February 27, 2024
On December 8th, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved two gene therapy treatments for Sickle cell disease (SCD).1 This is the first time gene therapies have been approved as a potential treatment, marking a breakthrough in medical advancements. This also marks huge strides in the treatment of SCD. Previously, symptoms could be treated, […]

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The purpose of the ProSPER Blog is to assist in the development of WashU trainees’ science communication skills. The Blog is a platform for graduate students and post-docs to write and publish in a low-pressure, non-academic environment, for educational purposes. 

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Acknowledgement

Membership in registered university-wide graduate student groups is open to all graduate and professional students of the University and does not limit eligibility based on race, color, national origin, shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, sex, or other protected characteristics. 

All current WashU graduate and professional students are welcome to join group events unless the event is designated as one specifically for group members.  Please contact the graduate student group or gradcenter@wustl.edu for more information.

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events. If you have a disability and require accommodations (such as assistive listening device, captioning, large print, reserved front seating, advanced copy of materials to be projected, etc.) in order to fully participate in our program, please email gradcenter@wustl.edu at least 10 days in advance of the event.