News Archives

Editor's Pick: The hidden Middle East

Arabs are not the only people who inhabit the Middle East. This year’s Middle East Week focuses on a non-Arab people much in the news lately, the Kurds. “Scattered Seeds of Hanareh: The New Kurdish Cinema” is the theme of the film series that is the week’s main event. Films by Kurdish filmmakers in Iran, Turkey and further abroad, such as “Marooned in Iraq” by Bahman Ghobadi (photo), examine the awkward cultural and geopolitical space the stateless Kurds occupy.

BOOKQUICK/“Atlantic Virginia: Intercolonial Relations in the Seventeenth Century”

Much 17th-century historiography assumes that each North American colony operated as a largely self-contained entity and interacted with other colonies only indirectly through London. By contrast, in “Atlantic Virginia,” historian April Lee Hatfield of Texas A&M demonstrates that the colonies actually had vibrant exchanges among themselves and with peoples throughout the hemisphere, as well as with Europeans.

Lucky charm

Experts question Mars proposal

Could President Bush’s ambitious plan to send humans back to the moon, to Mars and beyond inspire the same excitement that the first moon race did in the 1950s? “I think people are really turned on by it. It would be fun, there’s no doubt about it,” said Mark Devlin, associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, who added, “There is no new money for this. … Something’s got to give.” In the President’s plan, that may be the International Space Station and shuttle flights; work on the Station and flights are slated to cease by 2010.

Faculty Feature: Dentist gets troops armed to the teeth

The finest fighting force in the world requires its troops to be in top physical condition before they go off to combat. That includes their teeth. This is where Capt. Dale Scanlon of the U.S. Army Reserve comes in. On campus, he is better known as clinical assistant professor of restorative dentistry and director of the Penn Dental Care Network’s University City clinic. Since November of 2002, he has also served as a reserve dentist for our armed forces.

HR serves self-improvement at lunch

Focus on your career and your well-being with help from the folks at Human Resources. Take advantage of these upcoming free Learning and Education programs and Quality of Worklife workshops. For course locations and more information on Learning and Education programs, call 215-898-3400 or visit www.hr.upenn.edu/learning. Registration required for most programs.

People's Choice: My funny Valentine

This Saturday is the day that’s made for lovers. So in the spirit of romance, we asked several Penn people to share with us their most memorable Valentine’s Day experiences—gifts or events, good or bad. We’re heartened that most of the memories our respondents shared with us were good ones, but we did manage to unearth a tale of unrequited love—as it turned out, from the only male who answered our question.

Penn Student Named to USAToday's All-USA College Academic Second Team

PHILADELPHIA- University of Pennsylvania student Mei Elansary has been named to USA TODAY's All-USA College Academic Second Team, which was announced in today's issue of the newspaper. Elansary was nominated by Penn President Judith Rodin for her outstanding commitment to public service.

Steroid-Coated DNA Represents New Approach to Gene Delivery

PHILADELPHIA -- Coating DNA with a topical steroid might make for more effective therapeutic gene delivery, according to bioengineers at the University of Pennsylvania.  The researchers have shown that a common anti-inflammatory steroid, wrapped around a strand of DNA, can prevent the immune responses commonly associated with gene-transfer techniques.Studies of the technique, performed in animal models, are presented in the Feb. 15 issue of the journal Gene Therapy, available online now.  

Penn Law School Professor Appointed to U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council

Penn Law School Professor Appointed to U.S. Holocaust Memorial CouncilFeb. 11, 2004PHILADELPHIA  -- Harry Reicher, a professor in the University of Pennsylvania Law School, has been named by President Bush to the Holocaust Memorial Council, the governing body of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.  The council is comprised of 55 presidential appointees, 10 congressional representatives and three members from the departments of Education, Interior and State.