School of Arts & Sciences

Four people standing at base of stairwell posing for photo

What the genomes of ancient humans can teach us about modern health

Iain Mathieson, an assistant professor of genetics, is working with two PURM interns to analyze genome data from ancient humans.

The planet Venus shown against a black background

New analysis shows how sulfur clouds can form in Venus’ atmosphere

An international research team, including atmospheric chemists from the School of Arts & Sciences, used computational chemistry methods to identify a novel pathway for how sulfur particles can arise high in the atmosphere of the second planet from the sun.

A drawing of two people shouting at each other from castle turrets, which are placed on top of silhouetted heads. Ladders are on the side of each head, and in the background are clouds, sky, and plant fronds.

Q&A

How ideologically divided is the American public?

The Polarization Research Lab, a new initiative from Annenberg’s Yphtach Lelkes and colleagues at Dartmouth and Stanford, will work to answer that question through surveys and partnerships with community organizations.

fetus in the uterus showing connection to placenta

A novel method for monitoring the ‘engine’ of pregnancy

By combining optical measurements with ultrasound, researchers were able to study oxygen levels in the placenta, paving the way for a better understanding of this complex, crucial organ.

two figures, one showing a three dimensional polygon and another graph with four intersecting planes

A new connection between topology and quantum entanglement

The theoretical work led by physicist Charles Kane reveals an unexpected link between two major principles in physics that may inform future experimentation and an understanding of how to harness quantum information.

Ibrahim Bakri sits on a bench in front of wooden double doors and a red brick building

Building bridges, locally and abroad

From the Middle East Center to a think tank in the United Arab Emirates, Ibrahim Bakri is using his various roles to make connections personally, academically, and professionally.

A summer internship with Play On Philly

Rising College of Arts and Sciences second-year Chaily Derecskey is a summer intern with Play On Philly, a nonprofit that provides orchestral instrument instruction to Philadelphia school children.

Solar panels with sunlight shining on the top right corner.

Marrying models with experiments to build more efficient solar cells

Penn chemist Andrew M. Rappe, in collaboration with former postdoc Arvin Kakekhani and researchers at Princeton University, has gained insight into how the molecular make up of solar cells can affect their properties and make them more efficient.

Osama bin Laden, right, listens as his top deputy Ayman al-Zawahri speaks at an undisclosed location in 2002

Five things to know about the killing of Ayman al-Zawahiri

Farah N. Jan, senior lecturer in international relations and political science, discusses what happened, what his killing means for counterterrorism, and the impact it will have on the future of al-Qaida.

Sophia Zehler removes the Quaker mascot head in costume at the Palestra.

Inside the Quaker’s head

Sophia Zehler recently earned her master’s degree from the Fels Institute of Government. The first-generation Cuban American also spent the year as Penn’s mascot, her third mascotting position in five years.

Filters