Penn Today spoke with David Meaney, vice provost for research, about research at Penn—its current focus and plans for its growth and evolution in the continued quest to help make lives better.
Researchers, including Rahul Singh (left), in the Daniell lab’s greenhouse where the production of clinical grade transgenic lettuce occurs.
(Image: Henry Daniell)
Novel plant-based approach to a better, cheaper GLP-1 delivery system
Research led by Penn Dental’s Henry Daniell investigates the use of a lettuce-based, plant-encapsulated delivery platform as a new oral delivery of two GLP-1 drugs previously approved by the FDA in injectable form.
Advancing veterinary medicine through interdisciplinary research
Amanda Watkins applies her clinical skills as a veterinarian to research new ways to fight biofilm infections as the first graduate of the Penn Veterinary Scientist Training Program.
Beating the heat: Designing cooling for bodies in motion
Dorit Aviv, director of Weitzman’s Thermal Architecture Lab, studies how humans, technology, and design intersect, paving the way for the development of novel approaches to cooling people efficiently.
Penn researchers Shelley Berger and Esra Sahingur explain senescence, the process of cellular aging, and discuss the complexities of developing anti-aging therapies that target these cells.
Sniffing out cancer: Trained dogs can detect hemangiosarcoma by scent
Penn Vet’s Cynthia M. Otto and Clara Wilson and colleagues show that trained dogs can identify the odor of hemangiosarcoma, a devastating canine cancer, offering the hope of a better screening tool and more effective treatments.
The Polyhedral Structures Laboratory is housed at the Pennovation Center and brings together designers, engineers, and computer scientists to reimagine the built world. Using graphic statics, a method where forces are mapped as lines, they design forms that balance compression and tension. These result in structures that use far fewer materials while remaining strong and efficient.
(Image: Eric Sucar)
20 breakthroughs of 2025
From ancient tombs and tiny robots to personalized gene editing and AI weather models, Penn’s 2025 research portfolio showed how curiosity—paired with collaboration—moves knowledge into impact and stretches across disciplines and continents.
Jennifer J. Prah of the School of Social Policy & Practice discusses recommended reforms to address abuse that continues after women leave their abusive partners.
(Image: Eric Sucar (left) and Carson Easterly (right))
How might AI shape the future of work?
Computer scientist Konrad Kording and economist Ioana Marinescu have developed an interactive model that incorporates assumptions from both their fields to predict how AI will affect wages, jobs, and the overall economy.
