Penn Today

Campus & Community

David Meaney named vice provost for research at Penn

Meaney is the senior associate dean in the School of Engineering and Applied Science.

2 min. read

Masoud Akbarzadeh holding up one of the fabricated materials.

Natural Sciences

Designing cleaner, greener concrete that absorbs carbon dioxide

Penn engineers, materials scientists, and designers have developed a 3D-printed concrete solution based on diatomaceous earth that has enhanced carbon capture, is stronger, and uses fewer materials like cement.

6 min. read

Two medical personnel looking at an fMRI image on a computer.

Social Sciences

A new understanding of brain activity when we ‘read the minds’ of others

Penn psychologists Anna Jenkins and Dilara Berkay show the role of uncertainty in engagement of the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex. Their findings pave the way for a broader understanding of autism and social anxiety.

3 min. read

Health & Medicine

Illuminating gaps in perinatal palliative care evidence amidst abortion restrictions

A new review by a team of researchers led by Penn Nursing’s Abigail B. Wilpers highlights significant limitations in the existing evidence base for perinatal palliative care in the U.S.

2 min. read

Social Sciences

New teacher-staffing model rethinks ‘one-teacher, one-classroom’

A new study by Penn GSE’s Richard Ingersoll evaluates a team-based model of organizing teaching staff in elementary and secondary schools that integrates teams of teaching staff in contrast to this traditional one-teacher, one-classroom approach.

2 min. read

Technology

Wensi Wu uses digital twins to explore the hidden mechanics of the human heart

Wu, a research faculty member at Penn’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, develops ‘digital twins’ of the human heart through computational modeling that capture both the visible and invisible aspects of cardiac function.

2 min. read

Natural Sciences

Can data from the Large Hadron Collider snap string theory?

Penn theoretical physicists collaborate on work that tests the fallibility of a framework that seeks to unite physics across the universe.

10 min. read

The actual chip of human leukemia bone marrow where chambers and channels were filled with food dyes.

Health & Medicine

‘Leukemia-on-a-chip’ could transform CAR T blood cancer treatments

In a collaborative effort with NYU, Penn researchers have helped pioneer a novel 3D platform that mimics the human bone marrow and immune environment, enabling more predictive testing of cancer immunotherapy success in patients, including CAR T cell therapies.

3 min. read

Oriol Sunyer pointing to rainbow trout, the fish species used for the reported study.

Health & Medicine

New Penn Vet study uncovers a key guardian of gut health and metabolism

Researchers at the School of Veterinary Medicine unveil the critical role of secretory immunoglobulin M (sIgM) in maintaining microbiota balance, regulating metabolism, and protecting against disease.

2 min. read

Featured Events

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Jul 12

Morris Arboretum: Sculpture Tour

This tour highlights the sculptures that connect human art with the beauty of nature. Visitors will view garden art featured at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens, which includes sculptures that have become featured in prominent places or tucked in the shade of a special tree. Free with Penn ID.

Jul 13

Cancer Detection on Wheels

A brand new Penn Medicine mobile mammogram van will make its debut during Penn Medicine's fourth annual community health fair. The mobile mammogram unit will enable Penn Medicine to provide convenient breast cancer screenings at community sites throughout the region year-round. During the fair on July 13, attendees can access a variety of free health screenings and educational resources.

Penn Medicine's mobile mammogram van. The vehicle is a blend of pink, blue, and violet, with a pink butterfly design.

Students walk beneath The Covenant on Locust Walk at dusk

In Principle and Practice

Penn’s strategic framework

Penn’s guiding principles are the University’s enduring values and distinctive strengths: anchored, inventive, interwoven, and engaged. The practices support and strengthen Penn’s core educational mission.

At Penn Today, we focus on some of the ways the University is putting this framework into action. From student, faculty, and staff profiles to research updates and event coverage, Penn Today highlights the latest examples of the University’s principled approach to excellence.

Nikisha Bailey and Matthew Nam, co-founders of Win Win Coffee, a Philadelphia-based coffee supplier and Penn vendor.

Campus & Community

Keeping it local: Penn’s partnerships with Philadelphia-based vendors boost local economy, neighborhood impact

According to the University’s latest Economic Impact Report, Penn helps power Philadelphia’s economy by procuring goods and services from neighboring businesses. Local CEOs discuss the meaningful impact that Penn has on their bottom line and in the community.

7 min. read

Inaya Zaman, Rashmi Acharya, and Imani Nkrumah Ardayfio.

Campus & Community

Nourish to Flourish

Using behavioral economics-based interventions, a 2025 President’s Engagement Prize-winning project will address health and nutrition inequities in a West Philadelphia elementary school.

7 min. read

Volunteers smiling and carrying tools and supplies during the block build event.

Campus & Community

Penn lends support to Rebuilding Together Philadelphia effort repairing 11 local homes in two days

Marking a milestone block build, 70 Penn volunteers combined forces with Rebuilding Together Philadelphia, a nonprofit with roots at the University, to revitalize owner-occupied houses in the West Philadelphia community. The momentous two-day event involved a block build and speaking program—with a local homeowner sharing a heartfelt message.

2 min. read

Canopy of trees in early spring that surround the LOVE sculpture.

Campus & Community

Supporting a community for learning, research, and thriving

Four months after the launch of the Office of Religious and Ethnic Interests (Title VI), the office is combating discrimination in all forms while leading educational efforts about dialogue and adaptive leadership.

4 min. read

Penn in the News

Some publications require a subscription to view full articles.

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Vox.com

America’s fastest-growing suburbs are about to get very expensive

A paper co-authored by Jospeh Gyourko of the Wharton School finds that housing supply growth in Sun Belt metropolitan areas has decreased since the 2000s to rates almost as low as in hyper-expensive coastal cities.

WHYY (Philadelphia)

Composting and feeding food waste to animals have big climate benefits, study finds

A study by Zhengxia Dou of the School of Veterinary Medicine and colleagues found that diverting all food waste away from landfills in the U.S. would avoid about 10% of the planet-warming carbon emissions that come from the country’s agriculture sector.

Philadelphia Inquirer

Skills you need to protect your child from drowning

In an opinion essay, Michael J. Stephen of the Perelman School of Medicine says that simple swimming ability, close supervision, and knowledge of CPR specific to a drowning victim would help reduce drowning deaths among children nationwide.

The Washington Post

Do you need a measles vaccine booster? Here’s what to know

Joseph Teel of the Perelman School of Medicine says that people can get a blood test to see whether they already have antibodies against certain viral infections.