Kennedy Reed presents research from her time in the NIH PREP program on how immune system changes impact crypt hyperplasia (courtesy of Mariana Byndloss)

Kennedy Reed, a fourth-year PhD candidate in the Division of Biology & Biomedical Sciences (DBBS) at WashU School of Medicine, died in a car accident in St. Louis on Tuesday, Aug. 4. She was 26 years old. 

Born in Hinds County, Mississippi, Reed came to St. Louis to pursue a doctorate in molecular microbiology and microbial pathogenesis. Reed primarily focused on microbiota, an environment composed of microorganisms, and how it can affect human health. 

Reed is remembered by her mentors and peers as a supportive, curious scientist whose warmth left an impression on those around her. 

“She’s an incredibly kind, compassionate, giving, generous person who really tried to help others,” said Jim Skeath, co-director of Next Generation of Science Scholars (NGSS). 

Her generosity was reflected in the little gestures between Reed and those who worked with her. 

“Whenever you would see her, she would always have a big smile and was always very sincere and just be like, ‘Oh, how are you doing?’ and really cared,” said Megan Baldridge, a professor of molecular microbiology and co-director of the Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis graduate training program (MMMP). 

Reed’s smile was a recurring memory among her mentors, who reminisced about her quiet but empathetic presence.  

“Even if things were stressful or other people were stressed out … she would bring that inner calmness and inner confidence and just peacefulness with her,” said Baldridge. “And she would also share that with her friends and with the faculty she worked with.” 

Baldridge described her as someone who “left you feeling a little bit brighter, a little bit happier after I would run into her.” 

Reed’s warmth also shaped the way she interacted with newer members of the program. Skeath remembered her active role in welcoming incoming graduate students. 

“We had a welcoming event for new first-year grad students coming in. She just made sure to go around and kind of touch base with all the new students, and there were many,” said Skeath. “Just to make sure that they knew that she and everyone else in the program were there for them.” 

She also had an interest in women’s health and rotated with Andrew L. Kau, an Associate Professor in the Department of Allergy and Immunology, who studies the topic. 

“She was very excited about science, very focused on becoming a scientist,” said Kau.

Beyond her research, Reed was interested in subjects like cancer therapeutics and long-term impacts of her work. Baldridge recalled how engaging her regular meetings with Reed were. 

“She was just really intrigued by a wide variety of possibilities,” said Baldridge. “It was really fun to talk to her because she would get really excited and interested.”

Reed’s commitment to mentorship will continue through the Kennedy Reed Memorial Summer Program Scholarship, established by WashU, which sponsors two undergraduates from Alcorn State University, Reed’s alma mater, to participate in WashU’s summer research programs. 

Additionally, WashU posthumously awarded her doctoral degree, honoring her as Dr. Kennedy K. Reed, and will publish her research. 

A memorial service was held at New Jerusalem Church in Jackson, Mississippi, on Aug.15. 

WashU Medicine’s Student Health Services can be contacted at (314) 362-3523, where their
Wellbeing Counseling service is available for WashU Medical Students.