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Director of Penn Institute for Economic Research Appointed
PHILADELPHIA -Antonio M. Merlo has been appointed director of the Penn Institute for Economic Research at the University of Pennsylvania. Merlo, the Lawrence R. Klein Associate Professor of Economics, joined the Penn faculty in 2000 after holding tenured positions at the University of Minnesota and New York University. His specialty is political economy, and he is a research fellow in the public policy program of the Centre for Economic Policy Research.
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New $2.84 Million Grant Supports Efforts to Improve Reliability of Computers Embedded in Electronic Devices
PHILADELPHIA - Computer scientists at the University of Pennsylvania and other institutions have received a $2.84 million grant to boost the dependability of the specialized minicomputers embedded in electronic devices from toasters to passenger jets. The three-year award, from the U.S. Department of Defense Army Research Office, brings external funding awarded to Penn embedded systems research group within the last 18 months to more than $6 million.
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Who’s the boss? Maybe not Papa.
One of the cleavages in American society has just gotten bigger—that’s according to Andrew Hacker, professor of political science at Queens College. At the annual Sackler Lecture hosted by the Sociology Department on Oct. 4 Hacker talked about the “growing gulf between men and women.” An expert in the dividing lines of America, he has published works on racial and class distinctions. Hacker now seeks to shatter the myth that men and women are balancing partners.
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So you want to be a homeowner
To help faculty and staff take advantage of Penn’s Guaranteed Mortgage Program and Enhanced Mortgage Program, the Office of Community Housing is conducting several workshops for members of the Penn community interested in home ownership. All workshops are held in Room 720, Franklin Building, 3451 Walnut St. Community Housing 101: Find out about the Guaranteed Mortgage Program, its benefits, the process, and general home buying information. Monday, Dec. 10, noon to 1 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m.
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Lessons to learn, growing up black
Saburah Abdul-Kabir’s son had a difficult time hailing a cab. The 18-year-old had left work in a rush after learning that his mother was in the hospital. Standing on the curbside with cash thrust in the air, he saw one cab after another whoosh by him. Even though he was aware of the existence of racial discrimination, the experience left him angry and hurt.
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News briefs
Lifesaver Can playing a computer game prevent someone from having a heart attack? Thanks to Barry G. Silverman, professor of systems engineering and creator of the Heart-Sense game, it can. The 15-minute game begins with a conversation between an emergency worker and an individual experiencing severe chest pains. Players then enter a fictitious village to witness people with chest pains and symptoms of heart attack. In follow-up questionnaires, those who played the game said they are now more likely to seek help in the event of heart attack symptoms.
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Government pumps $6.7 million into circulatory research
- The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute has awarded $6.7 million over five years to Penn’s Institute for Medicine and Engineering. The grant will promote the study of cellular and molecular mechanisms in blood vessels that regulate physiological processes in the cardiovascular system. Led by IME Director Peter F. Davies, the investigation will also test new therapies for heart valve calcification, blood clotting disorder and the weakening and rupture of blood vessels.
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Take a class on how to react and stay safe
Given the mail traffic that flows daily through campus and the public concern about anthrax, Penn is holding sessions on how to recognize and respond to suspicious deliveries. The Division of Public Safety will hold the training sessions, open to all members of the Penn community, Oct. 25 and 26 at the Harold Prince Theatre at the Annenberg Center. The one-hour sessions will be held each day at 9 a.m. and noon.
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Penn thinks big on small-scale research
Over in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, they’re really sweating the small stuff these days. That’s because, in the words of Vijay Kumar, deputy dean for research in SEAS, “small is big.” The small stuff we’re talking about here is really small — the size of a single atom or molecule. Penn researchers are busy pushing these atoms and molecules around, one by one, to see what happens and create devices and processes that will change the way we live.
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Managers, assistants - HR has a class for you
If you missed them the first time around, here’s your second chance. Brought back by popular demand, these courses are offered through Penn’s Human Resources Learning and Education Program. Been there, done that? There are new programs to check out as well. All course locations at the Training Center, 3624 Market St., Suite 1B South, unless noted otherwise.