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Genomic differences selected through evolution may offer clues as to why COVID-19 outcomes vary widely
two DNA double helixes next to an illustration of the SARS-CoV-2 virus

COVID-19’s hard-to-predict effects likely owe in part to genetic differences. A Penn-led study analyzing the genomes of a diverse set of populations globally points to genetic variants that may help explain some of the variability in disease severity.

Genomic differences selected through evolution may offer clues as to why COVID-19 outcomes vary widely

A team from the University of Pennsylvania analyzed genomic data from global populations, including thousands of ethnically diverse Africans, to identify genetic variants that may be associated with clinical COVID-19 outcomes.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Elucidating the developmental origin of life-sustaining adrenal glands
microscopic image with proteins labeled in red and blue shows tissue that develops into the adrenal glands

The adrenal glands, which pump out crucial hormones, develops differently in mice compared to primates, including humans, according to new research led by the School of Veterinary Medicine. At at early stage of development, the primate adrenogenic coelomic epithelium, which eventually gives rise to the adrenal glands, expresses genes (NR5A1 in red, and GATA1 in blue) in a pattern that diverged with expectations. (Image: Kotaro Sasaki)

Elucidating the developmental origin of life-sustaining adrenal glands

Research led by the School of Veterinary Medicine reveals that adrenal development proceeds differently in humans than it does in mice.

Katherine Unger Baillie

A passion for addressing ‘meaningful causes’ with data
a portrait of angelina heyler outside on a staircase

Angelina Heyler, a senior in the School of Engineering and Applied Science from Hong Kong, discovered a passion for data science and applied statistics while majoring in systems science and engineering. In addition to fostering community engagement within Penn Engineering as well as with students in West Philadelphia, she’s also thankful for the connections she made on campus through Ultimate Frisbee.

A passion for addressing ‘meaningful causes’ with data

Senior Angelina Heyler, a systems science and engineering major who is submatriculating in Penn’s data science accelerated master’s program, spent her time at Penn fostering a passion for applied problem solving, building community, and playing Ultimate Frisbee.

Erica K. Brockmeier

Six from Penn elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2022
A grid of people that includes, in the top row, Dorothy Roberts, Drew Weissman, and Katalin Karikó, and in the bottom row, Yale Goodman, Nicholas Sambanis, and Diana Kotzin.

Six researchers and faculty affiliated with the Perelman School of Medicine, School of Arts & Sciences, Graduate School of Education, and Penn Law have been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2022. (Images: Courtesy of [counterclockwise from top left] Penn Law, Peggy Peterson/Penn Medicine, Penn Engineering, Nicholas Sambanis, Graduate School of Education)

Six from Penn elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2022

Faculty from the Perelman School of Medicine, School of Arts & Sciences, Graduate School of Education, and Law School join more 260 honorees recognized for contributions to academia, the arts, industry, public policy, and research.

Michele W. Berger

How one inflammatory disorder exacerbates another
graphic of a person with both gum inflammation and arthritis in an elbow, showing the cells involved in the relationship between the two conditions

How one inflammatory disorder exacerbates another

Researchers from the School of Dental Medicine and colleagues from Dresden, Germany demonstrate that an association between conditions such as severe gum disease and arthritis is traceable to the bone marrow.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Islands on the climate front line
Four people sit on a stage at Perry World House.

Island ambassadors to the United Nations speak at the Perry World House Global Shifts Colloquium event moderated by Michael Weisberg (fourth from left).

Islands on the climate front line

Perry World House’s Global Shifts Colloquium looked at how islands can protect their people, build resilient communities, and safeguard their environment in the climate crisis.

Kristen de Groot

Revising the lifecycle of an important human parasite
Black and white microscopic image of many cells clustered tightly

The parasite Cryptosporidium, transmitted through water sources, is one of the most common causes of diarrheal disease in the world. (Image: Muthgapatti Kandasamy and Boris Striepen)

Revising the lifecycle of an important human parasite

Researchers from Boris Striepen’s lab in the School of Veterinary Medicine tracked Cryptosporidium in real time, creating a new paradigm for how the widespread parasite reproduces in a host.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Social connections influence brain structure of rhesus macaques
Three adults rhesus macaques and two infants macaques sitting on a rock in a forest located on the island of Cayo Santiago.

A grooming chain of adult female rhesus macaques on Cayo Santiago, an island off the coast of Puerto Rico. Researchers in the Platt labs have studied this group of free-ranging nonhuman primates for more than a decade. This most recent work builds on previous research aimed at understanding the link between social connections and the brain. (Image: Lauren JN Brent)

Social connections influence brain structure of rhesus macaques

Researchers from Penn, Inserm, and elsewhere observed that the number of grooming partners an individual animal had predicted the size of brain areas associated with social decision-making and empathy.

Michele W. Berger

Creating global systems for evidence-informed oral health policy
Dental faculty member Alonso Carrasco-Labra

With a background in evidence-based medicine and dentistry, Alonso Carrasco-Labra brings unique skills and perspective to the School of Dental Medicine.

(Image: Kevin Monko)

Creating global systems for evidence-informed oral health policy

Alonso Carrasco-Labra, who joined the School of Dental Medicine in 2021, is a leader in developing new policy and clinical guidelines across areas of medicine.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Talking energy at Penn
Wind turbines in water, with a sunset in the background.

Talking energy at Penn

Energy Week 2022, hosted by the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy and the Vagelos Institute for Energy Science and Technology, runs April 4-8. It includes student presentations, along with conversations about renewables, energy and the war in Ukraine, and much more.

Michele W. Berger, Lindsey Samahon