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The infrastructure bill could fix trucking for the long haul
Eighteen-wheeler truck driving on the highway at dusk.

The infrastructure bill could fix trucking for the long haul

As the country explores major infrastructure investments, urban truck ports have the potential to increase the fuel efficiency of trucks, reduce air pollution, and improve the lives of truckers who deliver our critical goods.

From Kleinman Center for Energy Policy

Correcting misperceptions about—and increasing empathy for—migrants
Young person pressing hands up against a border wall.

Participants’ erroneous beliefs about immigrants impacted their views on immigration policy and caused them to view immigrants with less empathy and to dehumanize them more. (Image: Max Bohme/Unsplash)

Correcting misperceptions about—and increasing empathy for—migrants

Americans dramatically overestimate the number of migrants affiliated with gangs and children being trafficked.

From Annenberg School for Communication

The ins and outs of research, through a yearlong practicum
Two people standing outside, with a bridge and trees blurry in the background. One, in a blue button-down shirt and khakis, stands with hands in pockets. The other, in a red dress, stands with arms crossed.

Through a yearlong practicum taught by William (Zev) Berger (left), a fellow with the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics program at Penn, rising senior Jeanica Geneus and four classmates learned how the research process works, including what to do when the results are unexpected.

The ins and outs of research, through a yearlong practicum

The course, which just completed its third iteration, takes undergrads through the process, from generating a hypothesis and creating experiments to analyzing results and writing a paper. The most recent cohort studied mentorship and educational inequality.

Michele W. Berger

Honoring outstanding staff with 2021 Models of Excellence awards
picture of the front page of the Model of Excellence booklet

Honoring outstanding staff with 2021 Models of Excellence awards

Each year, the program shines a light on the University’s stellar staff. This year, the University is proud to honor the professionals who exemplify the dedication, care, and innovation that helped the Penn community persevere during the pandemic.

Dee Patel

Penn team expands cultural heritage work in Iraq, backed by new funding
Taq-i Kisra Taq-i Kisra is a vaulted hall near Baghdad that likely dates to the 6th century. After heavy rains in late 2020 caused part of it to collapse, the Penn team was asked to conduct an assessment on the structure. It’s one of the newest projects for the IHSP, funded by the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas.

Penn team expands cultural heritage work in Iraq, backed by new funding

Three big new projects—restoration of a fortification gate, repair of an important landmark, and a survey of historic nonreligious architecture—recently got underway.

Michele W. Berger

Paving the way for ‘next-generation’ lithium-ion batteries
Array of multi-sized lithium batteries.

Paving the way for ‘next-generation’ lithium-ion batteries

A new study from Penn Engineering details the complex electrochemical process that causes certain types of batteries to degrade, insights that could aid in the design of longer lasting, more efficient batteries in the future.

Evan Lerner

Black and white women have same mutations linked to breast cancer risk
Two people, one Black one white, sitting in a waiting room wearing masks.

Black and white women have same mutations linked to breast cancer risk

The prevalence of genetic mutations associated with breast cancer in Black and white women is the same, but the takeaway is not to change testing guidelines based on race alone, but focus on ensuring equal access to and uptake of testing to minimize disparities in care and outcomes.

Steve Graff

Partisan politics and the opioid epidemic: A social media analysis
Ball of red and blue prescription drug capsules.

Partisan politics and the opioid epidemic: A social media analysis

Researchers at Penn Medicine explored how partisanship might affect legislative progress on the opioid epidemic by analyzing the content of state legislators’ opioid-related social media posts over time.

From Penn LDI

How to get even better at supporting your LGBTQ+ students
Many rainbow-colored umbrellas hanging from overhead strung lighting.

How to get even better at supporting your LGBTQ+ students

Teachers, school counselors, and administrators owe it to their LGBTQ+ students, along with the rest of the student body, to provide an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable.

From Penn GSE