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2023 PIP/PEP winners: Where are they now?
Sonura team

Recipients of the 2023 President’s Innovation Prize, team Sonura, five bioengineering graduates from the School of Engineering and Applied Science, have created a device that filters out disruptive environmental noises for infants in neonatal intensive care units. Their beanie offers protection and fosters parental connection to newborns while also supporting their development.

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2023 PIP/PEP winners: Where are they now?

Nearly a year after the winners of the President’s Innovation Prize (PIP) and President’s Engagement Prize (PEP) began their projects, the winners—now alumni—discuss their progress. 
‘Switchable’ bispecific antibodies pave way for safer cancer treatment
Artist's depiction of tumor microenvironment

Bispecific T cell engagers are emerging as a powerful class of immunotherapy to treat cancer but are sometimes hindered by unwanted outcomes, such as on-target, off-tumor toxicity; cytokine release syndrome; and neurotoxicity. Now, researchers Penn researchers have developed a novel “switchable” bispecific T cell engager that mitigates these negative effects by co-opting a drug already approved by the FDA.

(Image: iStock / CIPhotos)

‘Switchable’ bispecific antibodies pave way for safer cancer treatment

Immunotherapy utilizing an FDA-approved drug has enabled Penn researchers to develop a novel switchable bispecific T cell engager that mitigates negative outcomes of immunotherapy.
‘Natural’ deaths likely COVID-19 related
White flags honoring lives lost to the COVID-19 virus on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Many deaths during the pandemic which were not listed as /COVID-related may have, in fact, been as a result of COVID. In a collaborative study, researchers in the School of Arts & Sciences found that increases in non-COVID excess deaths occurred at the same time or in the month prior to increases in reported COVID-19 deaths in most U.S. counties, indicating that many COVID deaths went uncounted as such.

(Image: iStock/BriVisu)

‘Natural’ deaths likely COVID-19 related

New study led by Penn and Boston University provides the most compelling data yet to suggest excess mortality rates from chronic illnesses and other natural causes were driven by COVID-19 infections.
Noor Momin harnesses the immune system to treat heart disease
A model of a heart

Image: Kjpargeter for Shutterstock

Noor Momin harnesses the immune system to treat heart disease

The Stephenson Foundation Term Assistant Professor of Innovation and her lab members work to engineer nanoparticles as medicinal vehicles to fit directly into a single cell.

From Penn Engineering Today

Researchers breathe new life into lung repair
Artist's interpretation of human lungs and a virus.

Respiratory diseases like influenza and COVID-19 drive inflammatory responses that can cause long-term damage to the lungs and can be difficult to treat. Now, by using techniques that deliver mRNA via lipid nanoparticles, researchers led by Andrew Vaughan of the School of Veterinary Medicine were able to greatly enhance modes of repair for damaged blood vessels in the lung, leading to improved oxygen saturation.

(Image: iStock/Mohammed Haneefa Nizamudeen)

Researchers breathe new life into lung repair

A collaborative effort from teams across Penn culminates in new techniques to repair lung tissue after damage from flu and COVID-19.
Regenerative Ag Alliance promotes stream health through agroforestry
New trees planted in a field.

Image: Courtesy of the Environmental Innovations Initiative

Regenerative Ag Alliance promotes stream health through agroforestry

The Alliance planted an initial 250 trees at New Bolton Center with assistance from volunteers and students from Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine and the Stuart Weitzman School of Design.

From the Environmental Innovations Initiative

A Penn Libraries and Penn Dental Medicine collaboration
A bookplate depicting Saint Apollonia, patron saint of dentistry.

A bookplate from the collection of Hermann Prinz depicting Saint Apollonia, patron saint of dentistry.

(Image: Courtesy of Penn Libraries)

A Penn Libraries and Penn Dental Medicine collaboration

A look back at the history of the Dental Library sheds light on the formation of the new Center for Integrated Global Oral Health.

From Penn Libraries

Breaching the blood-brain barrier
Researchers Mike Mitchell and Emily Han examining a microfluidic device used to make LNPs by mixing lipids and mRNA.

Michael Mitchell (left) and Emily Han (right) examine a microfluidic device used to make LNPs by mixing lipids and mRNA. 

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Breaching the blood-brain barrier

A team of researchers in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences has devised a method to deliver mRNA into the brain using lipid nanoparticles, potentially advancing treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and seizures.
Two-and-a-half decades of research in Malawi
Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health Collaborators on the Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health visited the University of Pennsylvania in October for a project meeting. Pictured are Lauren Schmitz (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Namrata Ray (Penn), Hans-Peter Kohler (Penn), Kondwani Katundu (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences in Malawi), Kazione Kulisewa (Kamuzu University), Iliana V. Kohler (Penn), and Victor Mwapasa (Kamuzu University).

(Image: Eric Sucar)

Two-and-a-half decades of research in Malawi

As the country’s life expectancy has risen, the Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health has shifted its current and future research to aging.