Skip to Content Skip to Content

Faculty

Steven J. Fluharty to step down as dean of Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences
Steve Fluharty seated at a table with hands folded.

Steven J. Fluharty, Thomas S. Gates, Jr. Professor of Psychology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience and dean of the School of Arts & Sciences.

(Image: Lisa J. Godfrey)

Steven J. Fluharty to step down as dean of Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences

The Thomas S. Gates, Jr. Professor of Psychology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience has served as dean since 2013, concluding his term as the longest-serving dean in the history of the School of Arts & Sciences.

Novel coupled nanopore platform offers greater precision for detecting molecules
Artist depiction of DNA moving through a nanopore system.

Marija Drndić of the School of Arts & Sciences and Dimitri Monos of the Perelman School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia led a team of researchers who developed a new nanostructure platform that allows for more precise detection and control of biomolecules, such as DNA and proteins. This exciting new platform signals a new era of synthetic biology, paving the way for enhanced DNA sequencing and protein conformation detection.

(Image: Courtesy of artist) 

Novel coupled nanopore platform offers greater precision for detecting molecules

An interdisciplinary team of researchers from Penn have created the first ever reusable coupled nanopore platform for detecting and guiding molecules, findings could pave the way for much improved DNA sequencing and molecule identification.
‘Ripple Effect’ explores higher education
A college student sitting on a bench outside a university building.

Image: iStock/Santiaga

‘Ripple Effect’ explores higher education

The latest installments of The Wharton School’s faculty research podcast, “Ripple Effect,” delves into the latest issues facing higher education, from paying athletes to AI in the classroom.

From Knowledge at Wharton

Boosting the frequency of sound waves to make the next generation of wireless devices
Researchers in a clean room pointing at a microscope.

Under the guidance of Yue Jiang(left), a Ph.D. candidate in the Charlie Johnson research group in the School of Arts & Sciences, Vincent Kerler (right) conducted this work through the Penn Undergraduate Researching Mentoring Program, a 10-week opportunity from the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. The program provides rising second- and third-year students with $5,000 awards to work alongside Penn faculty.

nocred

Boosting the frequency of sound waves to make the next generation of wireless devices

Vincent Kerler, a second-year student in the College of Arts and Sciences, spent the summer running simulations as part of Charlie Johnson’s research on topological insulators.
As the world warms, how are young people feeling?
A young person pouring water over their head.

Image: Courtesy of Environmental Innovations Initiative

As the world warms, how are young people feeling?

Climate scientist Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences and Annenberg School for Communication leads a research community that aims to understand climate anxiety and improve climate communication.

From the Environmental Innovations Initiative

Understanding the cellular mechanisms driving solid tumors’ robust defense system
A 3D rendering of the tumor microenvironment with cancer cells, T-Cells, nanoparticles, cancer associated fibroblast layer of tumor microenvironment normal cells, molecules, and blood vessels.

In a collaborative interdisciplinary study, Michael Mitchell of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, Wei Guo of the School of Arts & Sciences, and Drew Weissman of the Perelman School of Medicine show that solid tumors can block drug-delivery mechanisms with a “forcefield-like” effect but certain genetic elements that can effectively “shut down” the forcefield. Their findings hint at new targets for delivering cancer treatments that use the body’s immune system to fight tumors.

(Image: iStock / CIPhotos)

Understanding the cellular mechanisms driving solid tumors’ robust defense system

Researchers from Penn have identified a “forcefield-like” defense system in solid tumors and the genetic elements that can switch it off.
NASA’s Roman Space Telescope will investigate the history of galaxies
artist's concept of the Andromeda galaxy's stellar halo, depicted with exaggerated brightness and density, highlighting the extent of this faint and loosely connected collection of stars that surrounds the galaxy.

Robyn Sanderson and Adrien Thob of the School of Arts & Sciences are part of a team of astronomers using NASA’s upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to uncover the “fossil record” of the universe as they look to clues to unearth key insights into its formation.

(Image: Courtesy of NASA, Ralf Crawford (STScI))

NASA’s Roman Space Telescope will investigate the history of galaxies

Robyn Sanderson and collaborators are unearthing the history of the universe’s formation by looking for clues that reveal its “galactic fossil record.”
Telling the story of a Hispanic war hero
President Reagan presenting Roy Benavidez with the Medal of Honor in 1981.

President Reagan presenting retired Army Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez with the Medal of Honor in 1981.

(Image: The U.S. National Archives)

Telling the story of a Hispanic war hero

In his new book “The Ballad of Roy Benavidez,” Penn historian William Sturkey explores the life of this Hispanic war hero, his fight to maintain veteran disability benefits, and the ways in which Hispanic Americans have long shaped U.S. history with scant acknowledgement.

From Omnia

Mark Wolff reappointed dean of the Penn School of Dental Medicine
Mark Wolff.

nocred

Mark Wolff reappointed dean of the Penn School of Dental Medicine

Wolff’s reappointment follows a comprehensive review of the major accomplishments of his first term as dean, including new mission and vision statement for the School, new programs and interdisciplinary centers, and advancing an inclusive learning environment.