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Chemistry

Scientists unlock frogs’ antibacterial secrets to combat superbugs
A tree frog in Thailand.

The researchers theorized that frogs must have developed antibiotics to survive in their challenging environment.

Image: Michael Edward via Getty Images

Scientists unlock frogs’ antibacterial secrets to combat superbugs

The lab of César de la Fuente has created synthetic peptides, a class of antibiotics, derived from the secretions of a frog commonly found in South Asia.

Ian Scheffler

2 min. read

Five from Penn elected 2024 AAAS Fellows
Headshots of five Penn professors elected 2024 AAAS Fellows.

(Clockwise from bottom left) M. Susan Lindee, Marlyse Baptista, Jinbo Chen, George Cotsarelis, and Christopher B. Murray were elected 2024 AAAS Fellows. 

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Five from Penn elected 2024 AAAS Fellows

Professors from the School of Arts & Sciences, Perelman School of Medicine, and School of Engineering and Applied Science are among 471 scientists, engineers, and innovators being recognized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

4 min. read

2025 CAREER Award recipient: Jina Ko

2025 CAREER Award recipient: Jina Ko

Ko, a professor in bioengineering in Penn Engineering and in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in the Perelman School of Medicine, is awarded the 2025 National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award for her expertise across bioengineering, molecular biology, and chemistry in developing transformative technologies for molecular diagnostics of diseases, especially with respect to how brain-related conditions are diagnosed and treated.

Penn fourth-year Jaskeerat Gujral named 2025-2026 ThinkSwiss Research Scholar

Penn fourth-year Jaskeerat Gujral named 2025-2026 ThinkSwiss Research Scholar

Gujral, a fourth-year student in the College of Arts and Sciences studying neuroscience with a minor in chemistry, and sub-matriculating in the bioengineering master's program in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences has been selected for a ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship, a program that aims to promote research opportunities in Switzerland to foster exchange between Swiss, U.S., and Canadian universities and research institutions.

A greener, cleaner way to extract cobalt
A large setup infrastructure for mining gold and other minerals in Australia.

(Image: Alfio Manciagli)

A greener, cleaner way to extract cobalt

Penn researchers led a collaborative effort pioneering safer, more sustainable technique to extract elements critical to battery-powered technologies. Findings pave the way for getting value from materials that would otherwise be considered waste.
Squire Booker appointed Penn Integrates Knowledge University Professor
Squire Booker

Squire Booker is a Penn Integrates Knowledge University Professor in Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences and Perelman School of Medicine.

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Squire Booker appointed Penn Integrates Knowledge University Professor

Through his work as an interdisciplinary chemist, Booker has has made advancements in human health and innovative new treatments of disease.
Artificial chromosomes for disease modeling
The Scientist

Artificial chromosomes for disease modeling

A study by Ben Black of the Perelman School of Medicine and colleagues used a new technique for synthesizing chromosomes to introduce panels of genes into disease models, facilitating drug testing.

Five from Penn elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2024
Headshots of five Penn professors.

The American Academy of Arts & Sciences elected five Penn faculty this year (left to right): Dolores Albarracín, Charles Kane, Edward D. Mansfield, Virgil Percec, and Deborah A. Thomas.

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Five from Penn elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2024

Dolores Albarracín, Charles L. Kane, Edward D. Mansfield, Virgil Percec, and Deborah A. Thomas are recognized for their contributions to mathematical and physical sciences and social and behavioral sciences.