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Aging and the costs that come with it
Penn student Darcey Hookway

Aging and the costs that come with it

As a high school student, junior Darcey Hookway spent time volunteering on a dementia ward at a local hospital. “The social aspect of their condition really struck me,” says Hookway, who is from London. “They struggled immensely with social isolation. And now with COVID exacerbating that more than ever, I think that’s a huge detriment to their health.”

Katherine Unger Baillie

Climate Week offers something for ‘every member of the Penn community’
Abstract image of red earth and blue water with words Climate Week at Penn

A week’s worth of online events, aimed at engaging the entire Penn community, will examine the interplay of climate change, COVID, and social injustice.

Climate Week offers something for ‘every member of the Penn community’

With participation from schools, centers, and groups across the University and a focus on the interplay of the climate emergency with social justice issues and the global pandemic, Climate Week at Penn will run September 21-25. The week’s dozens of events will help participants learn about the climate crisis—and then act.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Can Galápagos businesses be eco-friendly and profitable at once?
turtle in the sand in galapagos

Can Galápagos businesses be eco-friendly and profitable at once?

In an effort to try for this, a group of Penn undergrads led by doctoral student Jesse Hamilton partnered with five small enterprises on the islands. Even amidst a global pandemic and local civil unrest, the pilot was a success.

Michele W. Berger

‘Living with the Sea’
Three woman stand behind museum objects

Ashleigh David and Erin Spicola frame Kia DaSilva as she talks about the mattang (navigational chart) in front of them. Students were able to access the objects to inform the exhibition planning process. (Pre-pandemic photo.)

‘Living with the Sea’

A student-led exhibition at the Penn Museum features objects from the rarely seen Oceanian collection.

Kristina García

An improv class that enriches the mind and soul, even remotely
A person facing the camera shrugging with arms wide open. Another person is standing to the right, and two others are in the background.

Much like in traditional improv, participants in the Penn Memory Center’s Cognitive Comedy play off of each other, running scenes or throwing each other imaginary balls of varying sizes, for example. Though some facets changed as the sessions went virtual, the program remains well-loved and well-attended. (Pre-pandemic image: Terrance Casey)

An improv class that enriches the mind and soul, even remotely

The Penn Memory Center’s Cognitive Comedy program gives people with memory impairments and their caregivers a no-pressure space to think creatively, socialize, and be part of a community.

Michele W. Berger

Iranian, American health experts share coronavirus experiences in rare talk
A hand in a medical glove is see holding a face mask with the words "Mask Tehran."

A gloved hand holds a mask reading "Mask Tehran." Penn's Middle East Center recently held a rare conversation between Iranian and American health officials about the coronavirus crisis.

Iranian, American health experts share coronavirus experiences in rare talk

The coronavirus crisis and the move to online events presented Penn’s Middle East Center with a rare opportunity to foster the first public conversation about the virus between senior health officials in Iran and counterparts in the United States.

Kristen de Groot

Offsetting carbon emissions, one ton at a time
solar panels in a field

Offsetting carbon emissions, one ton at a time

Carbon offsets are a small but meaningful market in its mission to contribute to greenhouse gas reducing industries and practices in order to compensate for emissions made elsewhere.
Understanding infrastructure
Pedestrians lounging around a city filled with bicycles, cars, and airplanes

Understanding infrastructure

In the second episode of Penn Today’s “Understand This ...” podcast series, emphasizing interdisciplinary perspectives, a Wharton and Weitzman School discuss the past, present, and future of infrastructure.
New database aims to make Alzheimer’s diagnosis easier and earlier
outline of a head in profile, the brain matter is filled in with question marks and the face, back of the head, and neck is outlined with roots resembling tree limbs and roots.

New database aims to make Alzheimer’s diagnosis easier and earlier

A five-minute online session will allow neural health to be tracked across time, so that doctors can make an earlier diagnosis and researchers can evaluate medications and other treatments.

Susan Ahlborn

SP2 graduate is now a policy fellow for Philly’s LGBTQ population
A sign with LOVE written the colors of the black and brown rainbow flag is held aloft before City Hall

In 2017, Philadelphia's Office of LGBT Affairs introduced black and brown stripes to the rainbow flag as part of anti-racism initiatives. (Image: Albert Lee)

SP2 graduate is now a policy fellow for Philly’s LGBTQ population

Sayeeda Rashid, who identifies as a queer South Asian woman, advocates for social justice in the Philadelphia Mayor’s office of LGBTQ Affairs.

Kristina García