Launching the Vagelos Institute for Energy Science & Technology
Penn Arts & Sciences has announced the creation of the Vagelos Institute of Energy Science and Technology, which will bring together world-class researchers to solve scientific and technological problems related to alternative sources of energy, and energy use and storage, reinforcing the University of Pennsylvania’s position as one of the premier energy research and technology centers in the nation.
“The Vagelos Institute will galvanize the research efforts of our stellar faculty in the School of Arts & Sciences, the School of Engineering & Applied Science (SEAS) and across many areas of the University,” said Penn President Amy Gutmann. “It will capitalize on Penn’s strategic strength in integrating knowledge across disciplines to address one of the most critical challenges facing our world today—the need for alternative energy sources. Penn is deeply grateful to Roy and Diana Vagelos for their vision and their extraordinary generosity.”
“The Vagelos Institute for Energy Science and Technology will be home to a powerful constellation of scientists who will carry forward an aggressive research and teaching agenda in the areas of energy and sustainability,” said Dean Steven J. Fluharty. “Finding sustainable solutions for energy needs is a critical priority for the nation and the world, and that’s why expanding our capabilities in this area is also a priority of Penn Arts & Sciences’ new strategic plan.”
Arts & Sciences is developing the Vagelos Institute in partnership with Penn’s School of Engineering & Applied Science. “Energy is one of the grand challenges facing our planet. It is one that requires not only fundamental advances in the basic science but also technological innovation to bring these advances to practice,” said Vijay Kumar, Nemirovsky Family Dean of SEAS.
The Institute will be led by prominent senior scientists, who will be joined by other exceptional faculty and outstanding fellows and students on team-based research in collaboration with experts across the University. Penn is currently recruiting a director for the new Institute who will serve as the Vagelos Professor of Energy Research.
The Vagelos Institute will foster advances in energy research by providing faculty with seed grants to develop early-stage projects that can then be parlayed into competitive grant proposals. “Our partnership with faculty in the School of Engineering—and throughout the University—will enable us to effectively compete for the big grants which are essential to funding the most innovative research,” said Dean Fluharty.
Graduate and postdoctoral fellowships will enable the Institute to train the next generation of energy researchers. The Institute will sponsor seminars, lectures and symposia on key energy research topics, attracting to Penn’s campus a diverse group of national and international scholars and students.
The Vagelos Institute for Energy Science and Technology is made possible by a $20 million gift from emeritus trustee and alumnus P. Roy Vagelos, C’50, Hon’99, and his wife, Diana. This most recent philanthropic investment in energy research at Penn follows the couple’s 2015 gift to endow two professorships focused on energy research in Penn Arts & Sciences, and their 2012 creation of the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research, an undergraduate degree program of SAS and SEAS.
“There are so many technologies that can be looked to for future sources of energy—solar, fuel cells, wind, hydrogen fission—not to mention the chemicals that we don’t even know anything about now, which could hold answers for alternative energy. My wife and I are passionate about this subject, and we have the notion that Penn can make a unique contribution,” said Dr. Vagelos.
Dr. Vagelos, a chemistry major who graduated from Penn in 1950 before going on to receive a medical degree from Columbia University, is the retired chairman and chief executive officer of Merck & Co. He served as chair of the University’s Board of Trustees from 1995 to 1999, and he is a former member of Penn Arts & Sciences’ Board of Overseers and the former chair of the Committee for Undergraduate Financial Aid. Ms. Vagelos is a former overseer of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. The Vagelos’ longtime support of Penn Arts & Sciences also includes gifts to establish the Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management, the Vagelos Endowed Scholars Program in Molecular Life Sciences, the Vagelos Science Challenge Scholarship Award, the Roy and Diana Vagelos Laboratories of the Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, the Roy and Diana Vagelos Chair in Chemistry and Chemical Biology and support for the renovation of the Undergraduate Chemistry Laboratories.
Pamela Z. Cacchione is the Ralston House Endowed Term Chair in Gerontological Nursing and a nursing associate professor of geropsychiatric nursing. She teaches in the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program and in the psychiatric component of the undergraduate program. She inspires students with her passion for the field of mental health and aging and challenges their preconceived notions of the elderly. One former student wrote, “In our first class, we were asked to write down words that we used to describe elders; I now cringe when I recall what I wrote. The cognitive shift of that day is now part of my DNA. I hear her voice coming out of my mouth as I instruct others on the importance of referring to patients in relevant, respectful terms.”
Susan M. Renz, an advanced senior lecturer, is the recipient of the Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence, which is given to a member of the Associated Faculty or Teaching Faculty for demonstrated excellence in teaching. Dr. Renz teaches in the adult health and gerontology primary care nurse practitioner program. She fosters a learning environment that is challenging and compassionate. One nominator noted, “Dr. Renz draws on her clinical expertise and instigates an atmosphere of learning that helps her students expand their diagnostic reasoning. She communicates nursing concepts in digestible forms, with concrete focus on clinical application of knowledge that enhances student learning. She demonstrates a mastery of guiding discussions in a way that enriches her students’ understanding…she enhances students’ leadership abilities by allowing students to lead the discussion on topics pertinent to the course material while also providing constructive criticism and feedback.”
Ann Kutney-Lee, an assistant professor, is the recipient of the Dean’s Award for Undergraduate Scholarly Mentorship, which is given for exceptional mentoring of undergraduate students in the introduction of and participation in undergraduate nursing research. Dr. Kutney-Lee is known for inspiring undergraduate students’ interest in research early in their academic careers by instilling a solid fundamental understanding of how research shapes the science of nursing practice. She encourages students to formulate research questions, seek out research opportunities and identify innovative team-based approaches to examining science and evidence-based foundations for nursing practice. As a former student commented, “…her mentorship cultivated a passion (in me) for using rigorous social science analysis and methodological innovation to address key priorities in the health of individuals and populations, and the importance of doing this work with a clear and full-throated nursing voice.”
Jamille Nagtalon-Ramos, a senior lecturer, is the recipient of the Dean’s Award for Undergraduate Advising, which is given to faculty for excellence in undergraduate advising as demonstrated by knowledge of the undergraduate curriculum; the ability to be a resource for and provide support to students insuring their success; accessibility; and willingness to collaborate with others in order to foster the academic, professional and personal development of students. Ms. Nagtalon-Ramos serves as an advisor to undergraduate students who are part of the accelerated BSN/women’s health MSN program. She has a well-deserved reputation for being a consistent source of support to her students. With a strong knowledge of both programs, she is a great resource for her students academically but is also devoted to their professional and personal success. One student commented, “Jamille is there not only for academic advice, but career and personal advice as well. She is knowledgeable about women’s health and the program and her enthusiasm for it is contagious. I am grateful to have someone so encouraging and supportive as I embark on my career in nursing.”
Kathleen McCauley, the Class of 1965 25th Reunion Term Professor of Cardiovascular Nursing, is the recipient of the Dean’s Award for Exemplary Citizenship, which is given to members of the senior faculty for significant contributions to the School over time. Dr. McCauley was selected for this award by her peers for her more than 25 years of dedicated service to the School and to the nursing profession. As the interim associate dean and director of undergraduate studies and then associate dean for academic programs, she oversaw two revisions to the undergraduate curriculum. Other achievements have included reviews and refinements to the School’s master’s and PhD programs; a successful reaccreditation review; launching of a Teaching Excellence program; and partnerships with other Penn Schools in the development of joint minors with Annenberg and Wharton, a dual degree with Arts & Sciences and joint majors with Engineering and Wharton. She also served as a clinical specialist in cardiovascular nursing HUP.
Maria S. White, a lecturer, is the recipient of the Undergraduate Award for Teaching, which is given by the Student Nurses at Penn (undergraduate students) for excellence in teaching, demonstrated by knowledge of the subject matter, ability to stimulate student interest and professional development, innovative teaching methods and student responsiveness. The undergraduate students selected Ms. White for her dedication as a nurse educator and for her support and encouragement of nursing students, insuring their success in the School of Nursing. Her nominators commented, “She gives her all to her students as she is always willing to spend extra time explaining the material. Not only does Maria have a passion for education, but she is extremely knowledgeable in the subjects and she makes it her priority to engage us and stimulate our interest.”
Glenn A. Fuir, a lecturer, is the recipient of the Outstanding Nurse Educator Award, which is given by the Graduate Student Organization (master’s students) for excellence in teaching as demonstrated by knowledge of the subject matter, ability to stimulate student interest and professional development, innovative teaching methods and student responsiveness. Mr. Fuir teaches business planning and concepts in health care economics to students in the nursing & healthcare administration and health leadership programs. Known by his students for his expertise, engaging teaching methods and contagious sense of humor, he insures that his students are prepared to meet the business challenges presented by an ever-changing healthcare industry. As one nominator noted, “In addition to demonstrating clear expertise in the subject matter, Glenn encourages inquiries and creates a learning environment conducive for allowing students to excel in concepts that will be vital in guiding their practice as future healthcare leaders.”
Christine K. Bradway, an associate professor of gerontological nursing, is the recipient of the Barbara J. Lowery DSO Faculty Award, which is given by the Doctoral Student Organization (DSO) to a member of the faculty who has advanced nursing science through exemplary and unwavering doctoral student mentorship. Dr. Bradway was selected for her dedication to supporting doctoral students through formal and informal teaching and mentoring. She is known for inspiring and influencing her students in the area of the qualitative research paradigm. She guides students in designing their own qualitative research proposals and developing their skills to collect and analyze qualitative data through individual or focus-group interviews, observations and content analysis, further challenging them with her thoughtful and constructive critiques. Her students consider her an invaluable role model whose expertise and enthusiasm have been critical to their success.
At Penn Vet, this year’s Zoetis Distinguished Teacher Award was presented to Mark Oyama.
The Boucher Award honors a house officer at New Bolton Center for excellent teaching, as was exemplified by William Boucher over four decades at Penn Vet.
JD Foster graduated from Penn Vet in 2007. After practicing in a private small animal clinic, followed by a rotating small animal internship, he completed his small animal internal medicine residency training at the University of Wisconsin. During his residency, he developed an interest in nephrology and received training in nephrology and hemodialysis under the guidance of Larry Cowgill of UC Davis. He returned to Penn Vet as a lecturer within the small animal internal medicine service. He restarted Penn Vet’s hemodialysis service, which quickly grew into one of the busiest veterinary dialysis centers in the US.
Jennifer Linton is a Fellow in the sections of reproduction and field service at New Bolton Center. Dr. Linton, a 2012 graduate of Penn Vet, completed a rotating equine internship at Rhinebeck Equine in New York, followed by a residency in reproduction at Penn Vet’s Hofmann Center. She now works primarily in field service, while also covering emergency calls for reproduction after hours at New Bolton Center. Her areas of research interest include pregnancy loss in the mare, poor performance and behavioral changes in horses and small ruminant reproductive neoplasia.
Ray Sweeney earned his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and graduated from Penn Vet in 1982, followed by an internship and residency at New Bolton Center. Dr. Sweeney has spent his entire 30-year career at New Bolton Center, where he is currently a professor of medicine and chief of the section of medicine and ophthalmology. His clinical specialty is internal medicine of large animals and his research is focused on paratuberculosis and other infectious diseases in cattle. He teaches in all four years of the veterinary curriculum, including lectures, hands-on laboratories and clinical instruction of fourth-year students.
Nicole Weinstein is an associate professor of clinical pathology at Penn Vet. She is the course leader and primary instructor in the second-year clinical pathology course and head of the clinical pathology laboratory in Ryan Hospital. She was previously an assistant professor at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, where she redesigned the clinical pathology course twice, first introducing an emphasis on case/data evaluation and eventually flipping the classroom to facilitate active student learning and problem solving during class. In the course at Penn Vet, she has also used this model. She attended veterinary school at Colorado State University, then completed a small animal rotating internship at Tufts University and a transfusion medicine fellowship and a clinical pathology residency, both at Penn Vet.
Corinne Sweeney graduated from the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1978. Prior to her appointment as associate dean of New Bolton Center in 2005, she had served for 27 years at Penn Vet as an equine internal medicine specialist with clinical and research interests in respiratory and neurological problems of the horse. She has received the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching, the Norden Distinguished Teaching Award and the Executive Board of Alumni’s Excellence in Teaching Award.
Rose Nolen-Walston grew up on a farm in England and dropped out of high school at 15 to become a professional dressage rider. She spent several years working at many top international dressage facilities in Germany, Holland and the US. At 18, she moved to the US, and after a two-year stint teaching riding to severely emotionally disturbed children at a residential treatment center in rural Georgia, she went back to school. In 2001, she graduated with her DVM from the University of Georgia, then did an internship and residency in large animal internal medicine at Tufts. She spent a subsequent year there doing research in adult stem cell biology in mice, then joined the faculty at Penn Vet, where she has been teaching and practicing internal medicine for eight years.
Chelsey Davey graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2011. She worked in general practice for a year and a half before completing a one-year small animal internship at Veterinary Specialty Center of Delaware. She received her Rehabilitation certification through the University of Tennessee in 2015. Since then, she has been teaching gross anatomy at Penn Vet and started the Rehabilitation Service at Ryan Hospital.-cropped.jpg)
Lesley Geraldine King, a professor of critical care at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, died on May 14 after a long illness. She was 51 years old.
Jessica Anna, an assistant professor of chemistry and Elliman Faculty Fellow at Penn, received a 2016 Early Career Award from the Office of Science of the US Department of Energy (DOE). This funding opportunity for researchers in universities and DOE national laboratories supports the development of individual research programs of outstanding scientists early in their careers and stimulates research careers in the disciplines supported by the DOE Office of Science.
Peter F. Davies, a professor of pathology & laboratory medicine in Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine, was awarded the ScD (doctor of science) degree from Cambridge University last month. A Cambridge alumnus, Dr. Davies completed his PhD at Darwin College in 1975. The ScD is one of six Higher Doctorates at the University of Cambridge awarded for academic distinction and authority in a field of knowledge over the course of a career.
PennAg Industries Association honored Sherrill Davison, an associate professor of avian medicine & pathology at Penn Vet, with its Distinguished Service Award for outstanding accomplishments in the agriculture industry. This award is presented each year to one industry and one non-industry recipient. Dr. Davison, who is director of the Laboratory of Avian Medicine & Pathology at New Bolton Center and serves as Penn Vet’s agriculture spokesperson, received the non-industry award in March.
Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at Penn, was selected as the 2016 recipient of the American Philosophical Society’s Henry Allen Moe Prize in recognition of her paper, “Implications of the Demise of ‘Fact’ in Political Discourse.” She received the award at the Society’s meeting last month.
