Where math meets biology Where math meets biology Through his research, Yoichiro Mori, the Calabi-Simons Visiting Professor of Mathematics and Biology, demonstrates how mathematical theories can provide insights into complex, living systems.
A missing link in haze formation A veil of haze shrouds the skyline of downtown Los Angeles. Research from Penn chemists provides new details about how this kind of particle pollution forms in the atmosphere (Image: Diliff/CC 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons) A missing link in haze formation Hazy days don’t just block the view; they mean the air contains particulate matter that can compromise human health. Chemists have discovered a way that alcohols can balance out the formation of new particles, a finding that could improve the accuracy of air-quality forecasts.
As good as new at Penn Closet Penn Closet, the thrift shop in Williams Hall, is run by eight students, including Marcela Gomez (left) of Guatemala City, who is director of operations, and Emily Yao of Taipei, who is director of marketing. As good as new at Penn Closet The student-run thrift shop on the ground floor of Williams Hall gives clothes and other items a second life, plus offers donators and shoppers a simple way to practice sustainability.
Socioeconomic status in the U.S. harder to change than any time in past 150 years Socioeconomic status in the U.S. harder to change than any time in past 150 years Research from Penn sociologist Xi Song and colleagues shows that mobility declined substantially during this period, particularly for those born in the 1940s and later.
Penn senior and May graduate win 2020 Rhodes Scholarship Penn senior Nurul Ezzaty Binti Hasbullah (left) and May graduate Stephen Damianos have been named Rhodes Scholars to attend Oxford University. Penn senior and May graduate win 2020 Rhodes Scholarship Nurul Ezzaty Binti Hasbullah and Stephen Damianos have been awarded Rhodes Scholarships for graduate study at the University of Oxford.
Math, stereotypes, and social belonging Math, stereotypes, and social belonging Philip Gressman, professor of mathematics, discusses how stereotype threat can affect student performance in math, and how social belonging can curb it.
Using science to make cities safer and healthier Penn Medicine’s Eugenia South, seen here with John MacDonald of the Department of Criminology, studies the effect of chronic stress and neighborhood environment on health outcomes. South’s latest pilot, Nurtured in Nature, follows work from the pair showing that cleaning up vacant lots leads to a signifiant decrease in gun violence and less stress for local residents. (Pre-pandemic photo) Q&A Using science to make cities safer and healthier In a Q&A, criminologist John MacDonald discusses his new book, grounded in years of research on the positive effects of remediation like fixing up abandoned lots and houses.
Inspiring young women in STEM Inspiring young women in STEM Over two days, nearly two dozen female STEM role models at Penn welcomed more than 100 high school students and teachers to campus as part of the Girls Advancing in STEM (GAINS) Initiative Conference on campus.
Immersive stories to spur action on climate In one of four virtual reality pop-up stations around campus this week, sophomore Katie Collier of Orlando takes in a vignette from “The Altering Shores,” which will premier at the PPEH Environmental Storytelling and Virtual Reality festival on Saturday. (Image: Roderick Coover) Immersive stories to spur action on climate Organized by the Penn Program in Environmental Humanities (PPEH), a two-day festival, “Environmental Storytelling and Virtual Reality” begins Friday, and will explore how virtual reality and other immersive storytelling might inspire action on climate change.
Demographic shifts, voter fears, and presidential voting Demographic shifts, voter fears, and presidential voting New research shows Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign didn’t benefit from voters’ fears of immigrants in communities experiencing greater demographic change.