Annenberg School for Communication postdoctoral fellow Baird Howland looks at prominent narratives in the news media and how they shape Americans’ worldviews.
A section of healthy human gum tissue captured using an imaging technique called Second Harmonic Generation microscopy. In this sample, collagen fibers (shown in yellow), which give healthy gums their firm, resilient stiffness, are dense and well-organized—acting as a supportive scaffold for the surrounding cells (shown in teal).
(Image: Hardik Makkar)
A stiff defense: Rethinking gum disease
Penn Dental Medicine’s Kyle H. Vining and Hardik Makkar take a biomaterials approach to understanding periodontal disease, using a hydrogel system to investigate how the physical properties of the gum tissue impact inflammation.
2025 PEP, PIP, and PSP winners: Where are they now?
Nearly a year after being awarded the 2025 President’s Engagement Prize, President’s Innovation Prize, and President’s Sustainability Prize, the recipients—now alumni—provide updates on their projects.
Kara Butler spoke at an event for Makuu: The Black Cultural Center about her experience growing up in Philadelphia.
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Who, What, Why: Kara Butler on museum education
Butler, a fourth-year anthropology and communication double-major from Philadelphia, is starting a master’s program at the Graduate School of Education in the fall, with the goal of becoming a museum educator.
Emily Wilson, Kevin Platt, and Paul St. Amour recording an episode of SideGig at Kelly Writers House.
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Music, friendship, and a podcast on the side
Through their new project, SideGig, School of Arts & Sciences faculty Paul Saint-Amour and Kevin Platt explore songs and sound. Plus, it gives the pals a chance to hang out.
2025 President’s Innovation Prize recipients Melanie Herbert and Alexandra Popescu are leveraging AI and privacy-focused computing to address the crisis of an aging population and overburdened health care staff.
Spearheaded by two 2025 President’s Engagement Prize recipients, LensBright expands upon an existing Penn student-led art mentorship initiative at Sayre High School in West Philadelphia with the aim of connecting under-resourced youth with hands-on art immersion, practical learning experiences, and industry networking opportunities.
