Melanie Herbert (center), a fourth-year in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, created Sync Labs—an innovative AI solution that addresses caregiving in senior care. Joined by Nami Lindquist (left) of the Wharton School and Penn Engineering and Alex Popescu of Penn Engineering (right) their technology, which has earned them the 2025 President’s Innovation Prize, allows caregivers to see three times more seniors while providing more personalized care.
nocred
Penn students develop AI-driven solution to transform senior care
Fourth-year students Melanie Herbert, Nami Lindquist, and Alexandra Popescu were awarded the President’s Innovation Prize for Sync Labs, a privacy-centered AI system to address the growing caregiving gap in senior care
Winners of the inaugural Draw Down the Lightning grants with Penn President J. Larry Jameson and Senior Vice President for Strategic Initiatives David Asch.
nocred
Collaborating toward a better future for all
The 12 winning teams of the inaugural Draw Down the Lightning grants were celebrated by Penn leadership at a reception, bringing to life the vision of In Principle and Practice.
In conversation with Fariha Khan during the Asian American Food course, Rahim Ullah (standing) speaks about his food truck and experience immigrating to the United States.
nocred
Connecting with Philadelphia’s immigrant Asian communities through food
Through the Asian American Food course with Fariha Khan, students explore the many depths of the immigrant experience of different Asian ethnic groups to learn about history and culture.
Kendra Domotor may have “zigzagged” her way to dentistry, but her journey helped her find her center in dentistry, helping her blend her love of science, teaching, and service.
Using satellites, drones, and AI for more sustainable and efficient agriculture
Piotr Lazarek, a fourth-year Penn Engineering and Wharton student from Pawłowice, Poland, won the 2025 President’s Sustainability Prize for Nirby, a real-time farmland management system addressing inefficiencies in fertilizer usage.
Housed in Meyerson Hall, the Penn Institute for Urban Research (IUR) is a campus-wide enterprise that draws from the collective wisdom of experts around the Penn and beyond to inform urban development and actions on public policy to support the sustainable growth of metros. Now entering its third decade, President Emerita Judith Rodin and Penn IUR co-directors Eugénie Birch and Susan Wachter reflect on the Institute’s history and impact.
nocred
Penn IUR enters its third decade
The Penn Institute for Urban Research enters its second decade. President emerita Judith Rodin and co-directors Eugénie Birch and Susan Wachter reflect on the Institute’s history and impact.
In addition to being a featured artist in The Arts Lounge, contemporary artist Makoto Fujimura is an Equity in Action Visiting Scholar in Penn’s Office of Social Equity & Community.
nocred
A moment of ‘timefulness’ at The Arts Lounge
Through June 1, Makoto Fujimura’s “Transfiguration” triptych ink paintings are on display at The Arts Lounge inside the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.
Supporting a community for learning, research, and thriving
The Office of Religious and Ethnic Interests (Title VI) launched in the fall as the first of its kind nationally, a direct response to recommendations from the Action Plan to Combat Antisemitism, as well as the reports of the University Task Force on Antisemitism and the Presidential Commission on Countering Hate and Building Community. The office (OREI) is a new resource on campus dedicated to supporting Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
(Top left) Team PIXEL: Ejun Mary Hong and Jack Roney; (top right) The Nourish to Flourish team: Inaya Zaman, Rashmi Acharya, and Imani Nkrumah Ardayfio. (Bottom left) For Sync Labs, Melanie Herbert, Nami Lindquist, and Alexandra Popescu; (bottom right) Piotr Lazarek for Nirby.
nocred
Class of 2025 President’s Engagement, Innovation, and Sustainability Prize winners announced
Four prize-winning teams will design and undertake post-graduation projects that make a positive, lasting difference in the world.
Mach is majoring in psychology and design in the College of Arts and Sciences.
nocred
Fine art and design using artificial intelligence
Through the design course Artificial Intelligence in Art, second-year Jessica Mach has discovered AI's potential through creating several projects, including a video story and an interactive game.
