Penn brings Philadelphia’s rare manuscripts to the world
Leveraging the University’s expertise with technology and rare centuries-old manuscripts, Penn Libraries is digitizing and cataloging medieval and early modern texts from 15 Philadelphia-area institutions. The three-year project is known as BiblioPhilly.
As part of SMASH Wharton, rising 10th graders spend almost the entirety of their summer breaks on Penn’s campus, taking rigorous STEM and business courses.
STEM and business classes mesh for Philadelphia high schoolers
As part of the SMASH Wharton program, 35 students live and breathe college life in the summer, staying for three years in Harnwell College House and taking classes at Huntsman Hall.
Tobias Nasgarde (left) and Garrett Meccariello are graduate students in the University of Pennsylvania’s Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences program, part of the College of Liberal and Professional Studies in the School of Arts and Sciences. They completed the research in an effort to practically use the skills they learned in their program.
A gentle nudge at the right moment can curb unnecessary spending online
It turns out, reminding people of their financial goals before they start online shopping can reduce unnecessary spending of this kind by almost 25 percent.
In the latest round of research on the effects of greening vacant lots, criminologist John MacDonald and emergency medicine physician Eugenia South found that people living within a quarter mile of greened lots had a 41.5 percent decrease in feelings of depression and a nearly 63 percent decrease in self-reported “poor mental health” compared to those who lived near the lots that received no intervention.
Greening vacant lots reduces depression in city dwellers
People living within a quarter mile of greened lots had a 41.5 percent decrease in feelings of depression and a nearly 63 percent decrease in self-reported “poor mental health,” compared to those who lived near the lots that received no intervention.
Parasitology professor James Lok’s studies of the development and basic biology of parasites, particularly the roundworm Strongyloides, have implications for finding new drug candidates. Veterinary schools have traditionally been strongholds of parasitology research, and Penn Vet is no exception. (Image: Eric Sucar)
The changing landscape of mosquito- and tick-borne diseases
Lyme disease, West Nile virus, Zika, chikungunya, and dengue are among the vector-borne infections making headlines. Penn researchers shed light on what’s behind the spread and how to stay safe.
Penn Libraries fellow Erin Connelly (left) and colleague Alberto Campagnolo, of the Library of Congress, prepare a medieval manuscript for multispectral imaging at Penn as part of a national research project to analyze stains. (Photo by Eric Sucar)
Stains Alive
For Libraries fellow Erin Connelly, stains are some of the most exciting discoveries in her study of medieval manuscripts. She is part of a national team analyzing stains in medieval texts using modern multispectral imaging. An exhibition at Van Pelt-Dietrich Library displays the researchers’ discoveries.
Philadelphia’s rich history and forward momentum make it ripe for scientific inquiry for a number of Penn schools and departments, from urban and population studies to medicine and anthropology.
The basics of homebuying with Nicole Hudson Andrews
Andrews, manager of Penn Home Ownership Services, works to help University employees purchase homes. In a Q&A, Andrews breaks down the department’s two prominent programs, which offer a closing cost reduction and a forgivable loan.
Madeleine Joullie, professor of chemistry and the first woman to join Penn’s chemistry faculty
A maverick among chemists
Madeleine Joullie, the first woman to join Penn’s chemistry faculty, was also the University’s first affirmative action officer, which she says is the most important thing she’s done.
Madeleine Joullie, professor of chemistry and the first woman to join Penn’s chemistry faculty