The Office of the Vice Provost for Research and the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs have announced the 2025–2026 cohort of Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellows. These scholars represent a broad range of disciplines across the School of Arts & Sciences, the Perelman School of Medicine, and the School of Engineering & Applied Science. Each fellow was selected for their outstanding scholarly potential and will contribute to Penn’s academic and research community through independent research, teaching, and professional development.

Marquise D. Bell 
Marquise D. Bell joins the School of Engineering & Applied Science, where he will collaborate with Kevin Turner in the department of mechanical engineering and applied mechanics. His research explores programmable materials and soft robotic systems, with a focus on wearable technologies designed for physical assistance and mobility support.

Audrey Drotos
Audrey Drotos brings expertise in auditory neuroscience to the Perelman School of Medicine, where she will work in the lab of Maria Geffen in the department of otorhinolaryngology. Her work examines how the brain processes sound through thalamocortical circuits, using in vivo recordings and computational tools to study sensory encoding.

Malcolm Nelson 
Malcolm Nelson joins the department of classical studies in the School of Arts & Sciences, where he will expand on his recent dissertation from Harvard University. His research investigates the role of empathy, moral norms, and emotion in ancient Greek society, with a particular focus on law, warfare, and political authority. A U.S. Army veteran, Dr. Nelson brings a unique perspective to historical inquiry, connecting lived experience with the study of ancient cultures. He will be working under the mentorship of Julia Wilker.

Julia Honoroff 
Julia Honoroff comes to Penn from Northwestern University and will be based in the department of psychology in the School of Arts & Sciences. She will collaborate with department chair Sara Jaffee on the PHLHousing+ Evaluation, examining how housing and economic support programs influence child and household outcomes. Her work draws on interdisciplinary methods in developmental psychology and policy research.

Rama Hagos 
Rama Hagos joins the department of sociology in the School of Arts & Sciences, where she will work with Chenoa Flippen and Jason Schnittker. She will also be affiliated with Penn’s Center for the Study of Ethnicity, Race, and Immigration (CSERI) and the Population Studies Center. Her research spans historical and contemporary topics in population studies, including marriage patterns, health trends, and institutional contact.