America’s energy solutions: McCaskill turns to WUSTL for help January 10, 2012 SHARE U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill (center) made Washington University in St. Louis a key stop on her statewide Hometown Energy Tour that focused on finding “practical, accessible and affordable” solutions to the nation’s energy needs. McCaskill met with WUSTL administrators and scientists and regional energy industry leaders Jan. 9 in Brauer Hall. Tremendous pressure exists on Capitol Hill, McCaskill said, to cut federal funding for science. “Most people don’t realize what the Department of Energy does,” she said, “which is why they’re in favor of killing it.” Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton (left) said “the federal government could make no better investment than in research.” Ralph S. Quatrano, PhD, dean of the School of Engineering & Applied Science (second from right), said that if funding for science were cut “you’d also be cutting the next generation of scientists and engineers.” After the discussion, McCaskill toured the Ultrafast Laser Facility, part of WUSTL’s Photosynthetic Antenna Research Center (PARC), established with a $20 million research award from the Department of Energy in 2009 to do research on novel energy initiatives. PARC comes under the umbrella of WUSTL’s International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability (I-CARES). Latest from the Newsroom Recent Stories Smart nanoparticles may be able to deliver drugs to heart after heart attack Imaging technique shows new details of peptide structures WashU presents Twilight Thursdays at Missouri History Museum WashU Experts DeFake tool protects voice recordings from cybercriminals Tremor a reminder that East Coast, Midwest earthquake threat is real NASPA chair, WashU vice chancellor on the future of student affairs WashU in the News Alzheimer’s drug adoption in US slowed by doctors’ skepticism As bird flu spreads in the U.S., is it safe to eat eggs? What to know about the risk. Could the Union Victory at VW Set Off a Wave?