Faculty

Mary Francis to head Penn Press

Mary Francis has been named director of Penn Press at the University of Pennsylvania, effective Sept. 23. The announcement was made today by Penn Provost Wendell Pritchett.

Lorene Cary’s ‘Ladysitting’

Lorene Cary of the School of Arts and Sciences spoke about her new memoir, “Ladysitting: My Year with Nana at the End of Her Century.”

Five questions with Kevin Mahoney

Kevin B. Mahoney, a 23-year veteran of Penn Medicine, became CEO of the University of Pennsylvania Health System on July 1. In a Q&A, Mahoney shares his expertise and inspiration on Penn Medicine’s strengths, where it can improve, and a little insight into his downtime.

Engineering’s Vanessa Chan gives students a real-world glimpse of life after college

Vanessa Chan, a professor at Penn Engineering, is changing up the curriculum, giving students a real-world glimpse into life after college.

Wharton Dean Geoffrey Garrett to become Dean of USC Marshall School of Business in 2020

Penn President Amy Gutmann and Provost Wendell Pritchett today announced that Wharton Dean Geoffrey Garrett will be leaving Penn at the end of the 2019-20 academic year to become dean of the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business in Los Angeles effective July 1, 2020.

Science & Technology

June 11, 2019

A conversation with Vijay Balasubramanian

In the latest episode of Penn Today’s ‘Office Hours’ podcast series, a casual chat with Professor of Physics Vijay Balasubramanian.

Vijay Balasubramanian sitting next to BioPond — Vijay Balasubramanian, professor of physics, at the BioPond on Penn’s campus.

Welcome to the “office hours” of Vijay Balasubramanian, professor of physics in the School of Arts and Sciences.

Here, in the latest episode of the “Office Hours” podcast, which explores the minds of the University’s academic talents in a more unbuttoned and freewheeling setting outside of the lecture hall, Balasubramanian joins for a chat about the science behind smell and memory, the distinction between “cool” and “important,” and why MacGyver makes for such a moral character.

Download the podcast on iTunes

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Writers

Brandon K. Baker

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Faculty

Office Hours

The Summer Reading List: Book recommendations from Penn faculty and staff

In 'Ladysitting,' Lorene Cary chronicles the end of her grandmother's life

Lorene Cary of the School of Arts and Sciences was interviewed about her new memoir, which documents the year she spent caring for her grandmother.

Bike rider in the rain coming down a street with cars and trucks in the opposite lane

The beauty of the two-wheeled commute

On Bike to Work Day, Penn will fete two-wheeled commuters with snacks, showers, and swag. For many at the University, commuting by bike is a way of life. Five Penn staff and faculty share how they make it work and why they keep riding.

Health Sciences

April 12, 2019

A conversation with James Serpell

In the latest episode of Penn Today’s ‘Office Hours’ podcast series, a casual chat with James Serpell, professor of ethics and animal welfare at Penn Vet.

James Serpell on a bench with hands crossed — James Serpell, professor of ethics and animal welfare at the School of Veterinary Medicine. (Image: Eric Sucar)

Welcome to the “office hours” of James Serpell, professor of ethics and animal welfare at the School of Veterinary Medicine and director of the Center for the Interaction of Animals & Society.

Here, in the latest episode of Penn Today’s “Office Hours” podcast series, which explores the minds of the University’s academic talents in a more unbuttoned and freewheeling setting outside of the lecture hall, Serpell joins for a discussion about the parrot that sparked his interest in animal behavior, the use of antidepressants in dogs, his passion for cooking, and why today’s students inspire him.