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A summer in the tick trenches
A person in PPE holding blue painters tape covered in several ticks.

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A summer in the tick trenches

With the help of five Penn undergrads, biology professor Dustin Brisson’s research group collected 9,000 tick specimens this summer to understand how seasonal activity patterns of these arachnids affects human pathogens and what role a changing climate might play.

Kristina Linnea García

2 min. read

Three things to know: Postdoc Shana Scogin on Nepal’s youth uprising
Gen Z protesters gathered at a parliament house in Nepal.

Gen Z protesters gathered at a parliament house as clashes erupted with police at the Federal Parliament in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Sept. 8, 2025.

(Image: Safal Prakash Shrestha/NurPhoto via AP Images)

Three things to know: Postdoc Shana Scogin on Nepal’s youth uprising

In the aftermath of the deadly anti-government uprising that led to the fall of the country’s government, Penn Today spoke with the Perry World House fellow for insights.

3 min. read

A deficit in Pennsylvania’s pretrial data
Leo Solga

Leo Solga is a fourth-year political science major in the School of Arts & Sciences.

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A deficit in Pennsylvania’s pretrial data

Arts & Sciences undergraduate Leo Solga has been studying what happens in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania before someone goes to trial. What he’s learned reveals just how little is understood.

From Omnia

2 min. read

$21M legacy gift supports Penn Arts & Sciences’ Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies, the Penn Libraries, and Morris Arboretum & Gardens
rare book room at the Katz Center.

Ione Apfelbaum Strauss & Hilary Strauss Rare Book Room at the Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies.

(Image: Kathryn Maxwell)

$21M legacy gift supports Penn Arts & Sciences’ Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies, the Penn Libraries, and Morris Arboretum & Gardens

The donor, alumna Louise Strauss, was a member of the Katz Center’s board of advisors and was dedicated to volunteer work and philanthropy.

3 min. read

Understanding the Fed’s inflation outlook
The Marriner S. Eccles Federal Reserve building in Washington, D.C.

Image: Bloomberg Creative via Getty Images

Understanding the Fed’s inflation outlook

Ahead of the Fed’s latest economic outlook, Penn Today spoke with Wharton’s Patrick Harker and Penn Arts & Sciences’ Harold Cole to unpack inflation, interest rates, and labor trends.

3 min. read

Exploring the influence of the Scottish Enlightenment on America’s founding
Eric Ryu stands outside of College Hall.

Eric Ryu spent part of his summer in Scottish university archives researching the Scottish Enlightenment.

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Exploring the influence of the Scottish Enlightenment on America’s founding

Fourth-year Eric Ryu studied 18th and 19th century lectures notes from university archives in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and St. Andrews to trace the intellectual roots of the two movements.

2 min. read

Penn buildings achieve LEED certifications, showcasing commitment to sustainability
Sun shades attached to building windows.

The sun shades on the Vagelos Institute for Energy Science and Technology.

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Penn buildings achieve LEED certifications, showcasing commitment to sustainability

Three recent building projects at the University of Pennsylvania have earned LEED Platinum, Gold, and Silver certifications, underscoring Penn’s ongoing commitment to sustainable design and construction.

3 min. read

Joseph Francisco awarded 2025 Pauling Medal

Joseph Francisco awarded 2025 Pauling Medal

Joseph Francisco, President’s Distinguished Professor of Earth and Environmental Science, is awarded the Pauling Medal in honor of his work into the chemistry of Earth’s atmosphere by the American Chemical Society Puget Sound Section.

From the frontlines of climate change
Mangroves growing on a small island separated from the mainland due to abrasion in West Java.

Image: Aditya Irawan/NurPhoto via AP Images

From the frontlines of climate change

People living on small islands and territories face mounting climate impacts, but little is known about their stance on the issue. Research from a team including Parrish Bergquist, assistant professor of political science, aims to fill those gaps.

From Omnia

2 min. read

A new way to guide light
Researchers stand and point at a white board littered with equations.

Bo Zhen (right) and postdoctoral researcher Li He developed a system for guiding light through tiny crystals in ways that allow it to navigate undeterred bu bumps and defects. Their work could lead to sturdier lasers, faster data links, and light-based chips that don’t get tripped up by imperfections.

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A new way to guide light

Penn researchers developed a system that allows light to be guided through a tiny crystal, undeterred by bumps, bends, and back-reflections. Their findings pave the way for robust, controllable light-based chips, smarter routing for data links, and more stable lasers.

3 min. read