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Four academic journeys explored
Vijay Balasubramanian writes equations on a whiteboard with a graduate student

Younger scientists often ask him about exploring multiple fields, Balasubramanian says. The advice he offers is to “have a central line where you have credibility, where you’ve established that you’re really, really good at what you do, and you can be trusted.”

(Image: Eric Sucar)

Four academic journeys explored

Vijay Balasubramanian and Tukufu Zuberi in the School of Arts & Sciences, Amy Hillier in the School of Social Policy & Practice, and Brittany Watson in the School of Veterinary Medicine share their academic paths toward interdisciplinary work.

Kristina Linnea García

Penn pioneers a ‘one-pot platform’ to promptly produce mRNA delivery particles
3D illustration showing cross-section of the lipid nanoparticle carrying mRNA of the virus entering a human cell.

Lipid nanoparticles present one of the most advanced drug delivery platforms to shuttle promising therapeutics such as mRNA but are limited by the time it takes to synthesize cationic lipids, a key component. Now, Michael Mitchell and his team at the School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a faster way to make cationic lipids that are also more versatile, able to carry different kinds of treatments to target specific organs.

(Image: iStock / Dr_Microbe)

Penn pioneers a ‘one-pot platform’ to promptly produce mRNA delivery particles

New lipid platform enables rapid synthesis of molecules that can shuttle therapeutics for a range of diseases with a high degree of organ specificity.
The power of protons
Two nurses guiding a prone patient into a proton imaging machine.

(On homepage) Until recently, proton therapy has occupied a small niche within the field of radiation oncology. Penn Medicine has played a leading role in championing proton therapy and moving the field forward.

(Image: Scott Nibauer)

The power of protons

Penn Medicine has treated more than 10,000 cancer patients at three proton therapy centers across the region, including the largest and busiest center in the world—while also leading the way in research to expand the healing potential of these positive particles.

Kirsten Weir for Penn Medicine Magazine

Fruitful insights on the brain
Photograph of researcher, China Byrns, in front of monitor showing microscopy images of fly brain

China Byrns used high-magnification confocal microscopy to visualize senescent glia (red) in Drosophila brains as part of a multidisciplinary approach to define the origin and effects of senescent cells in brain aging.

(Image: Courtesy of Riya Anand)

Fruitful insights on the brain

Research led by China Byrns of the lab of Nancy M. Bonini in the School of Arts & Sciences have uncovered new details about the role of zombie-like cells in brain aging, using the fruit fly as a model.
New insights on cellular clones and inflammation in bones
Hajishengallis, an expert in the immune mechanisms behind the gum disease periodontitis

Hajishengallis, an expert in the immune mechanisms behind the gum disease periodontitis, worked with an international team to show that the innate immune system--typically thought to lack immune memory--can in fact be trained to "remember" past threats.

New insights on cellular clones and inflammation in bones

Research led by George Hajishengallis of Penn Dental sheds light on an aging-related condition that drives inflammation in older populations.
Adding diversity to your research process: A new system
A patient having their heartbeat checked by a doctor.

Image: iStock/Wavebreakmedia

Adding diversity to your research process: A new system

A Penn team has created guidelines and a best practices overview for incorporating equity and diversity into the research process.

Hoag Levins

A humanities pathway to pre-med
Emily Monfort and Izzy DiCampli work on set design.

In a theatre class, Emily Monfort and Izzy DiCampli work on umbrellas that will be built into dragon heads for the play “She Kills Monsters.”

nocred

A humanities pathway to pre-med

Pre-med students majoring in English, theatre, history, and other humanities fields find satisfaction in tapping into multiple interests—and see benefits for a career in medicine.