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The Interwoven University

The soul of an artist, the mind of a mathematician
A rainbow-colored swirl.

Image: Courtesy of Robert Ghrist

The soul of an artist, the mind of a mathematician

An artist, author, engineer, mathematician, and mentor, PIK Professor in the School of Arts & Sciences and the School of Engineering and Applied Science Robert Ghrist embraces innovation to enrich each of these roles.

8 min. read

Collaborating toward a better future for all
Group pose of Draw Down the Lightning grants winners.

Winners of the inaugural Draw Down the Lightning grants with Penn President J. Larry Jameson and Senior Vice President for Strategic Initiatives David Asch.

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Collaborating toward a better future for all

The 12 winning teams of the inaugural Draw Down the Lightning grants were celebrated by Penn leadership at a reception, bringing to life the vision of In Principle and Practice.

4 min. read

Armoring CAR T cells to take on cancer
 3D visualization showing a reddish-blue tumor mass with internal vasculature, surrounded by blue CAR T cells and small extracellular vesicles against a dark background.

Wei Guo of the School of Arts & Sciences and colleagues from the Perelman School of Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, and School of Engineering and Applied Science have teamed up to uncover how solid tumors’ complicated microenvironments can manipulate cancer-fighting CAR T cells through extracellular vesicles, causing the engineered CAR T cells to commit fratricide—essentially turning against each other instead of attacking the cancer.

(Image: iStock / Marcin Klapczynski)

Armoring CAR T cells to take on cancer

Wei Guo of the School of Arts & Sciences and colleagues from the Perelman School of Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, and School of Engineering and Applied Science have uncovered how solid tumors manipulate cancer-fighting CAR T cells through extracellular vesicles, causing the engineered CAR T cells to commit fratricide—essentially turning against each other instead of attacking the cancer.

3 min. read

How Penn engineers are restoring historic Springfield Mills
Jason Pastor and another lab worker at Penn’s MEAM lab.

Jason Pastor (left) is a senior coordinator of instructional labs at the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics (MEAM) at Penn Engineering.

(Image: Courtesy of Penn Engineering)

How Penn engineers are restoring historic Springfield Mills

The gristmill on Wissahickon Creek, which dates back to 1761, required repairs to its modern machinery upgrades. Volunteers at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens turned to MEAM’s Precision Manufacturing Lab at Penn Engineering for the design of precision components.

From Penn Engineering

2 min. read

Exploring the governance of artificial intelligence
A speaker at the Perry World House AI Governance panel.

Wharton’s Kevin Werbach described the conference as a “reflection of the incredible work on AI policy and governance happening across the University.”

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Exploring the governance of artificial intelligence

Perry World House, the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative, the Wharton Accountable AI Lab, the School of Engineering & Applied Science, and the Center for Technology, Innovation & Competition at Penn Carey Law recently hosted researchers from across the University of Pennsylvania for an in-depth dis

From Perry World House

2 min. read

AI Across Disciplines event highlights the power of ‘breadth and connectivity’ at universities
AI Across Disciplines panelists on stage engaged in conversation.

From left: Bhuvnesh Jain, Marylyn Ritchie, Dawn Bonnell, René Vidal, Duncan Watts, and Lynn Wu. 

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AI Across Disciplines event highlights the power of ‘breadth and connectivity’ at universities

At a cross-disciplinary gathering at Amy Gutmann Hall, the Penn community celebrated the launch of the Penn AI Initiative with a panel discussing AI research at Penn—and writ large.

5 min. read

Recording oral histories in rural Uganda
A person being interviewed by Penn students in a Ugandan village.

Image: Courtesy of Penn Global

Recording oral histories in rural Uganda

As part of the Penn Global Seminar, Global Jewish Communities, 15 students traveled to rural Uganda in January to film oral histories that will become part of the Shoah Foundation archive.

8 min. read

Combining AI and artmaking for youth well-being
Eileen Feng leans against a pole.

Eileen Feng, a graduate student in the Integrated Product Design, inside Tangen Hall. 

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Combining AI and artmaking for youth well-being

Through a community-led partnership project, graduate student Eileen Feng and an interdisciplinary, cross-school team are working with local youth to tailor an AI-supported platform for healing through creative arts.
One tiny dog’s outsized contribution to brain surgery
A dog with a bandage on their head.

Geddy following her surgery.

(Image: Courtesy of Penn Vet News)

One tiny dog’s outsized contribution to brain surgery

A terrier mix makes history as the first patient to undergo canine neurosurgery in a collaborative effort of specialists in human and veterinary medicine using cutting-edge augmented reality technology and infrared imaging.

Sacha Adorno