November 22, 2022 Volume 69 Issue 15

A $5 million gift from Penn Libraries Board of Advisors member Wendy Commins Holman, W’97, her husband Wayne Holman, and their family will name the recently renovated Holman Biotech Commons.

The naming gift from the Holman family will ensure this dynamic space continues to meet the evolving needs of scholars who rely on the Penn Libraries’ services, resources, and expertise as they work to impact and improve human life.

“The Holman Biotech Commons has emerged as a hub for collaboration across the University and a launching pad for innovative study in the health sciences,” said Penn President Liz Magill. “We are extraordinarily grateful to Wendy and Wayne Holman for this commitment, which provides the Penn community with access to information using the latest tools and technologies to connect and explore across disciplines.”

“This vibrant space proudly bears the name of the Holman family, and we at the Penn Libraries are deeply grateful to Wendy and Wayne for their enduring commitment to Penn, to the libraries, and to the biomedical community,” said Constantia Constantinou, H. Carton Rogers III Vice Provost and director of the Penn Libraries. “Spaces like this demonstrate the essential infrastructure that the Penn Libraries provides. The Holmans’ support ensures that we will continue to answer vital needs and provide an extraordinary user experience to every member of our community who visits the Biotech Commons.”

The Holman Biotech Commons’ innovative design is the result of an $11.5 million renovation, completed in fall 2021, which was informed by input from library users, researchers, partners in the Perelman School of Medicine and the School of Nursing, facilities experts, and the Penn Libraries’ staff and subject specialists. Situated at the heart of biomedical activity on campus, the Biotech Commons facilitates relationships among the many interdisciplinary groups that surround it, including graduate and undergraduate students, clinicians, faculty, and researchers.

Wendy Holman, the CEO and co-founder of Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, has a passion for global health and healthcare equality. In addition to serving on the Penn Libraries Board of Advisors, she is a member of the Sabin Vaccine Institute and the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA).

“Most of my work focus—as a philanthropist, volunteer, and CEO—has a common thread: to have a tangible positive effect on health and human suffering,” said Wendy Holman. “Penn’s researchers, scientists, and scholars have done an incredible job leading the world in biomedical research, and our planet is a safer, better, and healthier place as a result. Penn’s libraries are not only a place to house our tremendous collections; they are centers of research excellence which continue to keep Penn at the forefront of innovation.”

Wendy Holman believes in the mission of the Penn Libraries because “the libraries support all of the schools and all of our students. They continue to be the great equalizer on campus while also serving as great research and development hubs.”

Wayne Holman added, “Wendy and I have dedicated our lives to advancing and harnessing healthcare innovation to address both unmet needs and underserved areas. We are confident the Holman Biotech Commons will be a place of learning, discovery, and collaboration that further advances the great contributions the University of Pennsylvania has already made to treating and curing human disease. We are honored and proud of our long-term partnership in advancing many common goals we share with the entire Penn community.”

The Holmans previously supported the Biotech Commons renovation project by funding the centrally located Wendy and Wayne Holman Reading Room, which serves as both an independent study area and a multipurpose event space with movable furniture to accommodate a variety of activities such as lecture-style events, book talks, and conferences.

Additional highlights of the facility include the Bollinger Digital Fabrication Lab, which offers 3D printing and poster printing services to aid academic, clinical, and research projects; the Anatomage Table, which allows for the virtual dissection and review of life-size virtual cadavers outside of clinical lab coursework; and a relaxation room, a vital space for stress relief to support students in high-stress medical education programs.

“The Holman Biotech Commons is a reflection of the Holmans’ commitment to the Penn Libraries and to supporting our biomedical community,” said Hannah Rutledge, the director of the Biotech Commons. “It’s an honor to work in such a welcoming, light-filled, and inspiring space that encourages innovation and collaboration among faculty, students, and our expert staff and librarians.”

“As problems grow in complexity, the need for diversity of thought and experience becomes more and more important,” said Wendy Holman. “Collaboration requires space to work together. My hope is that the Holman Biotech Commons helps to fill that need.”

For more than two decades, experts at Penn Medicine have worked hand-in-hand with local partners to improve health care and outcomes in the sub-Saharan African nation of Botswana. Now, a new $3.5 million grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) will help further that work by addressing one of Botswana’s most serious health challenges: cervical cancer.

“We are honored to be a part of this funding initiative that extends the huge impact that years of partnership in Botswana has had on improving care for cervical cancer patients,” said Surbhi Grover, an associate professor of radiation oncology and the director of global radiation oncology at the Hospital of University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Grover co-leads the grant with Katharine Rendle, an assistant professor of family medicine and community health in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Penn’s department of radiation oncology has been working with colleagues in Botswana since 2011, with Dr. Grover leading efforts in cervical cancer care since 2014 when she moved full time to Botswana. “This grant provides the opportunity for our clinical and research teams at Penn and the University of Botswana to test innovative strategies that can directly improve the lives of women diagnosed with cervical cancer in Botswana,” said Dr. Rendle, who is also deputy director for research at the Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation (PC3I).

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for females in Botswana and is the most common cancer among younger women between the ages of 15 to 44, according to 2021 data from HPV Information Centre. In fact, the age-standardized mortality rate for cervical cancer is 10 times higher in Botswana (20.1 per 100,000) than in the United States (2.1 per 100,000) according to 2020 Globocan estimates.

Dr. Grover said this is due in large part to the nation’s high prevalence of HIV, which substantially increases cervical cancer risk. Botswana has the third-highest rate of HIV prevalence in the world, with about 20 percent of its population of people aged 15 to 64 living with HIV, according to data from the Botswana AIDS Impact Survey published in 2022.

When there isn’t coordination between laboratories, patients, and clinics, there can be catastrophic delays in diagnosis and treatment.

“Sometimes when I see a patient, I realize their biopsy occurred months or even years ago. There is no alert system whereby the lab can notify the referring facility when cancer is diagnosed,” Dr. Grover said. “Furthermore, there is often no link between patients and the cancer clinic. This lack of communication and support is what this grant aims to address. This is the first step in our larger aim to improve outcomes of women with cervical cancer across the globe.”

As part of the NCI-funded project, researchers will identify communication and support strategies, such as text messages or phone-based patient navigation, that are best equipped to close gaps in the care continuum.

“We will test strategies that aim to shorten the gap from diagnosis to initiation of potentially life-saving treatments for all patients with cervical cancer,” Dr. Rendle said. “Our goal is to do so in the most cost-effective and efficient way, reducing burden on the health system.”

Since 2001, Penn has worked through the Botswana-UPenn Partnership (BUP) to improve health in Botswana. What began as a response to the burgeoning HIV/AIDS crisis has evolved into a wide-ranging health initiative focusing significantly on oncology over the last decade with support from Penn’s department of radiation oncology and Center for Global Health. BUP works closely with Botswana’s Ministry of Health & Wellness, the University of Botswana, and other partners to care for patients, and develop initiatives advancing cancer education, research, and capacity.

The team hopes that the study’s findings could ultimately be applied to care strategies for other cancer, in Botswana and in other countries facing similar barriers. “This project is reflective of Penn Medicine’s commitment to ensuring patients around the globe receive high-quality cancer care,” Dr. Rendle said. “By collaborating with and learning from leaders in Botswana and other countries, we aim to implement clinical solutions that are sustainable over time and directly responsive to the needs and priorities of our global partners.”

Andrew M. Hoffman, Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Vet) has named Dipti Pitta, an internationally recognized scholar working at the interface of microbiology, agriculture, and dairy nutrition, the Mark Whittier and Lila Griswold Allam Associate Professor.

Dr. Pitta possesses an exceptional record of scholarly accomplishments. Her seminal work in controlling methane production from dairy cows was awarded a prestigious USDA-NIFA IDEA grant of $995,000 in addition to other current grants and research awards from the USDA, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), the Center for Poultry and Livestock Excellence, and industry totaling over $2.5 million.

Dr. Pitta’s research program is integral to the new Center for Stewardship Agriculture and Food Security (Almanac November 1, 2022), where she is a faculty leader. In addition to the center, she has also served as a member of research groups and academic committees across the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), including the Internal Advisory Board for the Center for Host-Microbial Interactions, the Committee on the Academic Status of Students, and the Penn Faculty Senate Executive Committee. Dr. Pitta served as a faculty director for the Penn Global Research and Engagement Grant Program; and has recently established a highly successful mentoring program for veterinary students, undergraduate students, and high school students in her laboratory.

“Dr. Pitta’s work in microbiomics has become a resource for faculty in diverse areas of study here at Penn Vet,” said Katrin Hinrichs, the Harry Werner Endowed Professor of Equine Medicine  and chair, of the department of clinical studies at New Bolton Center. “Her collaborations have greatly increased the depth of the investigations of our clinical faculty, and she is an exemplar of what a tenure-track faculty member can contribute to a clinical department.”

Dr. Pitta earned her veterinary bachelors and masters degrees in India and received her PhD from Massey University in New Zealand. Following post-doctoral fellowships in New Zealand and at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center, Dr. Pitta joined Penn Vet’s faculty as an assistant professor in 2011. She was promoted to associate professor in 2021.

“The awarding of a named, endowed professorship is the highest honor bestowed upon a faculty member at Penn and reflects excellence in scholarly achievement,” said Dr. Hoffman. “Dr. Pitta embodies a commitment to scientific discovery, global engagement, mentorship, and service that is truly deserving of this honor.”

The University of Pennsylvania is pleased to invite applications for the 2023-2024 Predoctoral Fellowships for Excellence through Diversity. These awards are designed to provide mentorship and access to Penn’s resources for doctoral students in the humanities or social sciences, enrolled in graduate or professional programs at universities other than Penn, as they complete their dissertations. The fellowships are intended to support scholars from a wide range of backgrounds who can contribute to the diversity of Penn and the higher education community.

These residential fellowships for an academic year support graduate students in the final stages of dissertation research or writing. They offer an opportunity for scholars who plan an academic career to take advantage of Penn programs, libraries, and faculty expertise, as well as the resources of the Philadelphia region. Each scholar will be selected and hosted by a department or school and assigned a faculty mentor.

The fellowship provides a stipend of $41,000, health insurance, library privileges, and a $5,000 research and travel fund. The application deadline is January 17, 2023.

This year, up to five fellowships will be awarded.

Qualifications

Candidates for the fellowship must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, enrolled in a PhD program in the humanities or social sciences at an accredited university graduate or professional school other than Penn. Candidates must have passed any PhD qualifying examinations and be in an advanced stage of research and writing on an approved dissertation topic. Candidates must be students of exceptional academic merit who also belong to a group underrepresented in higher education; come from a socially, culturally, or educationally disadvantaged background or have faced other significant personal obstacles; and/or pursue academic research on cultural, societal, or educational problems as they affect disadvantaged or underrepresented sectors of society.

Application

• Applicants should submit:
• A letter from a Penn faculty member with compatible research interests whom you have contacted and who has agreed to act as a mentor for the duration of the fellowship.
• Two letters of recommendation, signed and on official letterhead. One must come from the dissertation advisor, commenting on the student’s performance, potential, and expected time to degree. At least one of the letters must address the applicant’s contribution to diversity in higher education.
• Official graduate transcript(s).
• Current curriculum vitae.
• Responses to application questions in Interfolio:
  • Describe your dissertation’s aims and methodology (maximum 500 words).
  • Explain how your dissertation contributes to the field (maximum 250 words).
  • Explain how your dissertation contributes to understandings of diversity and inclusion (maximum 250 words).
  • Describe your future research and professional goals (maximum 250 words).
  • Explain how the Penn fellowship will support your goals (maximum 250 words).
  • Indicate your expected date of graduation (month and year).

Applications will be accepted at: https://apply.interfolio.com/117464.

Questions can be addressed to the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty at: provost-fac@upenn.edu.

Joseph Solomon Bienstock, D’52, GD’54, a former clinical assistant professor of oral surgery in Penn’s School of Dental Medicine, died on July 17. He was 95.

Raised in Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Bienstock attended the Citadel, a military college in South Carolina, and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. In 1952, he received his DDS from Penn’s School of Dental Medicine, and completed a residency there two years later. He then became board certified in oral and maxillofacial surgery, practicing in New York City and then Philadelphia for several decades. Dr. Bienstock became a well-known oral and maxillofacial surgeon during tenures at Rolling Hill Hospital, Einstein Hospital Northern Division, and Kensington and Olney Hospitals. At multiple of these hospitals, he rose to the rank of chief of oral surgery. He served as a clinical assistant professor of oral surgery at Penn and as a clinical associate professor in the department of oral surgery at Temple University School of Dentistry. He served in many capacities in the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, including as oral surgeon chair of the dental division of the Allied Jewish Appeal. He served as the president of the Eastern Dental Society, the Philadelphia Society of Exodontists and Oral Surgeons, and the Greater Northeast Dental Society.

Outside of dentistry, Dr. Bienstock took pride in being a philanthropist, establishing scholarships at the Citadel and at Penn Dental and donating to the Chabad of Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Bienstock served his community in numerous ways throughout his life, providing weekly pro bono dental care to community members in need and serving on numerous professional boards and committees. Dr. Bienstock enjoyed travelling the world with his wife, Phyllis (who predeceased him), reading, dancing, staying current with world events, technology, and medical advances, and eating a good steak.

Dr. Bienstock is survived by his daughter, Michele Levin (Robert Marrazzo); and his grandchildren, Daniel Levin (Arielle), Laura Levin Schumacher (Christopher), and Sarah Levin.

Audrey E. Evans, an emerita professor of pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania, the first chief of the division of oncology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), and the co-founder of Ronald McDonald House Charities in Philadelphia, died on September 29. She was 97.

Born in York, England, Dr. Evans received her medical degree from the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh in Scotland in 1953, the only woman in the program. Afterwards, she came to the U.S. on a Fulbright Scholarship, and began training in pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital. After short stints there and at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, she briefly returned to the Royal Infirmary Teaching Hospital in the U.K., but after encountering sexism in the workplace, she returned to the U.S., where she was recruited to the University of Chicago as a pediatric oncologist in 1964. There, she began to hone in on what would become her life’s work, improving the lives of children with cancer from a caregiving perspective.

In 1969, future United States Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, then surgeon-in-chief at CHOP, recruited Dr. Evans to become CHOP’s first chief of oncology (as well as an associate professor of pediatrics; she advanced to full professor in 1972). She remained there until retiring in 2009, and became a renowned figure in the world of childhood cancer during her career at CHOP. In 1971 she developed the Evans Staging System, a protocol for assessing patients with neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer that involves nerve cells. The system helps determine which children need aggressive treatments and which can be aided with less invasive methods. The Evans Staging System was used for decades, and during Dr. Evans’ tenure at CHOP, the mortality rate for children with neuroblastoma dropped by 50 percent, according to some accounts. Dr. Evans was also one of the first researchers to recognize the importance of nursing, psychology, and social work to the care of children with cancer. She recruited individuals in these fields well before her peers, and the integration of these areas today is largely due to Dr. Evans’ work. She advocated for a “total care” approach to cancer treatment, ensuring that patients’ social and familial needs were an integral part of CHOP’s program.

In 1974, Dr. Evans cofounded, with Philadelphia Eagles general manager Jimmy Murray, the first Ronald McDonald House, located on Spruce Street in Philadelphia. Named because several Philadelphia-area franchises of fast food chain McDonalds had largely funded the house using proceeds from Shamrock Shakes, the house offered a home away from home for families with a child afflicted by a serious disease requiring hospitalization. The house became a model for more than 375 other Ronald McDonald Houses in 45 countries and 689 RMHC-affiliated programs in 66 countries. “A family with a sick child is a sick family,” Dr. Evans said. “So you must think about everybody—the siblings, the mother, the father, maybe grandmother. You must remember that they’re part of a group.”

Dr. Evans retired from her leadership positions at Penn in 1989, but continued to work on neuroblastoma in the lab for another decade, retiring from teaching and taking emeritus status in 2001. In her retirement, she helped found the St. James School in Philadelphia in 2011, which seeks to make a difference in Philadelphia’s Strawberry Mansion neighborhood. She was widely honored over the course of her life: In 1994, she was listed in the book The Best Doctors in America, and she received the 1995 Distinguished Career Award from the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and the 1997 William Osler Patient Oriented Research Award from Penn. She was elected an honorary member of the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology in 2008 (Almanac November 11, 2008), and in 2017, the International Society of Pediatric Oncology gave her its Lifetime Achievement Award. She was also elected an honorary fellow of her alma mater, the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The film Audrey’s Children, which has recently begun filming, is inspired by Dr. Evans’ life. Written by Julia Fisher Farbman, it will feature Natalie Dormer in the title role.

“When I would go on walks with her,” Ms. Farbman told The New York Times, “she would literally stop and smell the roses, cuddle strangers’ babies, hand out dog treats (which she always carried in her purse despite not having a dog), and she’d strike a conversation with anyone who seemed like they were having a bad day. If you asked her why, she would say, ‘We just made that person’s day a little better—that wasn’t so hard now, was it?’”

“The world has lost a true giant in medicine, a Renaissance woman, a mentor, and role model for many,” said a tribute in Pediatric Research penned by her colleagues Max Coppes and John Maris. “We all have become better people, better physicians, better researchers because of her many contributions, passion for perfection, and compassion for all around her.”

Outside of her professional duties, Dr. Evans was an accomplished equestrian and an aficionado of scuba diving.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia region and St. James School will co-host a public memorial for Dr. Evans at a date yet to be determined.

Irvin (Irv) Hurwitz, C’81, the former director of development at Penn, died on June 28.

Mr. Hurwitz attended Penn as an undergraduate from 1977 to 1981, majoring in political science and sociology (and serving as a student on the University Council Committee for Recreation & Intercollegiate Athletics). Three years later, he graduated from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law with a JD. From the next few years, he worked as an attorney at Philadelphia-area law firms McBride & Murphy and Cutler, Kraut & Harris before rejoining Penn in 1988 as the associate director of development. He remained at Penn for over a decade, spearheading the Campaign for Penn from 1991 to 1995 and serving as director of regional major gifts until 1999. That year, the Perelman School of Medicine hired Mr. Hurwitz as its director of alumni development, position he held for three years. In 2002, he became the assistant dean for development and alumni affairs at Temple University School of Medicine. Afterwards, he held positions at the National Museum of American Jewish History, the University of Delaware, and consulting firm Schultz & Williams, before becoming a freelance development consultant in 2021.

Mr. Hurwitz is survived by his wife, Janet (nee Leight); his children, Samuel (Kathryn) and Rachel Hurwitz; his mother, Anita (the late Alfred) Hurwitz; and his sister, Fran Hurwitz. Services and interment were private. 

Contributions in his memory may be made to Abramson Cancer Center; Congregation Or Shalom; or a charity of the donor’s choice. 

Robin Lisa Leidner, a former associate professor of sociology in the School of Arts and Sciences, died on September 23, 2022 of complications from breast cancer. She was 65.

Born and raised in Long Island, Dr. Leidner earned a BA in sociology from Harvard University in 1980, then acted in a feminist theater group in Providence, Rhode Island before entering graduate school. In 1983, she earned an MA, and five years later a PhD, also in sociology, from Northwestern University. In 1988, she joined Penn’s faculty as an assistant professor of sociology. She immediately became an engaged member of Penn’s feminist community, leading a seminar on Women, Work, and the Family: Controversy and Change for Penn’s 250th anniversary conference in 1990. During the 1990s and 2000s, she served on the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, as well as several Penn-wide task forces and committees (like the Committee on Manufacturer Responsibility). In 1997, she engaged in a spirited debate among the faculty on whether faculty should be required to submit their course reading lists to the Penn Bookstore or allowed to submit them to independent bookstores near campus (Almanac November 18, 1997). Dr. Leidner taught sociology of gender courses in the gender, sexuality, and women’s studies program in SAS in addition to her teaching in the department of sociology, where she also served as undergraduate chair.

Dr. Leidner was a leading feminist scholar and a specialist on the sociology of work. Her book, Fast Food, Fast Talk: Service Work and the Routinization of Everyday Life, based on her doctoral research at Northwestern and at “Hamburger University” (a McDonald’s training program), showed how employers sought to alter the emotions of workers and clients. Exposing the scripts fast-food workers are compelled to follow while dealing with customers, she showed how workers were constrained by, and resisted, these efforts. The book has been cited over 2,500 times. Her research covered other topics as well. In 1992, Dr. Leidner received a University Research Foundation (URF) award for her project Parents’ Responses to Professional, Informal, and Institutionalized Advice on Childrearing. She published over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles about women’s workplace experience and fast food labor, and was awarded by the American Sociological Association, the Society for the Study of Social Problems, and the U.S. Department of Education.

“Students often commented on her warm and supportive manner, praising the ways in which she would ask questions, probe their thinking, and suggest readings in ways which guided them to new intellectual paths,” wrote the sociology department in a tribute to Dr. Leidner. Former student Elizabeth Vaquera wrote, “Robin taught me so much about navigating academia with kindness and integrity.” Colleagues also noted her supportive demeanor. Daniel Aldana Cohen, a research affiliate at the Population Studies Center, wrote, “Robin was one of my kindest and most supportive colleagues while I was at Penn, and was admired by students and faculty alike.” Dr. Leidner appeared on Jeopardy for two nights in 1995, and sent quirky Groundhog Day cards to friends and family every year.

Dr. Leidner is survived by her mother, Marilyn Leidner; brother, Michael Leidner; sister-in-law, Beth Leidner; nephew, Destin Leidner; and her partner of 35 years, Sam Kaplan.

Alan Louis Myers, a professor emeritus of chemical and biomolecular engineering in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, died recently.

Dr. Myers earned a BS in chemical engineering from the University of Cincinnati in 1960 (which awarded him a Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1977), then a PhD from the University of California at Berkeley. After graduating in 1964, he was hired as an associate professor of chemical engineering at Penn. He remained at Penn for the next several decades. In 1969, Dr. Myers received a National Academy of Science appointment as a senior fellow at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Soviet Academy of Sciences in Moscow as part of the Inter-Academy Exchange Program of the U.S. and U.S.S.R. Academies of Sciences; under the auspices of this program, he spent five months in Russia. In 1972, he was promoted to a full professor at Penn.

At Penn, Dr. Myers was an active faculty member, serving on the University Council and on several Faculty Senate committees, as well as ad-hoc University committees and working groups. In 1977, he was named chair of the department of chemical and biochemical engineering. He also served as a visiting professor at the Technical University of Graz, Austria, from 1975 to 1976. In 1983, he received Penn’s S. Reid Warren Award for Distinguished Teaching; 14 years later, he received the Institute Award for Excellence in Industrial Gases Technology from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. In his retirement from Penn, Dr. Myers served on the first executive committee of the Penn Association of Senior and Emeritus Faculty (PASEF) in 2006.

Dr. Myers was active in his field. He conducted prestigious research on the thermodynamics of surfaces, the interactions of unlike molecules absorbed in a solid surface, gas storage by adsorption in micropores, and adsorptive separation of mixtures. He co-wrote three books: Introduction to Chemical Engineering and Computer Calculations (1976, with W. Seider), Fundamentals of Adsorption (1984, with G. Belfort), and Adsorption Equilibrium Data Handbook (1989, with D. P. Valenzuela). In 1983, he co-founded the International Adsorption Society, a non-profit professional association dedicated to serving people, firms, and organizations who seek to advance the art, science, and technology of adsorption and related subjects (Almanac July 13, 2010).

The following agenda is published in accordance with the Faculty Senate Rules. Any member of the standing faculty may attend SEC meetings and observe by contacting Patrick Walsh, executive assistant to the Senate, either by telephone at (215) 898-6943 or by email at senate@pobox.upenn.edu.

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Agenda

Wednesday, December 7, 2022
3–5 p.m. EDT
Via Zoom

1. Finalize the minutes of November 2, 2022
2. Report from the Tri-Chairs
3. Update and discussion with selected Faculty Senate Committees
4. Internal discussion
5. New business

University Council City Agenda

Wednesday November 30, 2022
4 p.m.
Hall of Flags, Houston Hall

I. Welcome

II. Approval of the Minutes of October 26, 2022. 1 minute

III. Follow-up Questions on Status Reports. 4 minutes

IV. Responses to New Business Topics from October 26. 15 minutes

V. Focus Issue Presentation: CSAP 3.0 and EII. 30 minutes

VI. Open Forum. 65 minutes

VII. New Business. 5 minutes

VIII. Adjournment

The following topics have been submitted for the Open Forum at the University Council meeting on November 30, 2022 in the Hall of Flags, Houston Hall.

1. Future Plans for Hutchinson Gym, Penn Park and Pottruck Center, David Azzolina, Librarian, Van Pelt Library
2. Limitations of Employee Mental Health Coverage, David Mandell, Professor of Psychiatry, PSOM
3. UC Townhomes, Gigi Varlotta, C’23
4. UPHS’ Role in Addressing Housing, Valerie Bai, GNU’23
5. All Gender Restrooms and New ADA Regulations, Dani Smith, Professor of Bioengineering, SEAS
6. Resources for Sexual Violence Survivors, Eliana Atienza, C’26 she/her
7. PILOTS and the Red and Blue Committee, Kenny Chiu, C’25
8. Black Spaces on Campus, Chime Amaefuna, C’23, Black Student League
9. Rights of Student Protestors, Emma Glasser, C’23, ENG’23
10. Graduate Student Housing, Robert Blake Watson, GED’23, L’23, GAPSA President
11. International Graduate and Professional Student Support and Engagement, Hoang Anh Phan, GR’28, GAPSA Vice President of Advocacy
12. Incorporating Legal Education Across the Penn Community, Qian Yu, ML’26
13. Policies Affecting Postdoctoral Welfare, Andrea Joseph, Postdoctoral Scholar, Elovitz Lab, PSOM

The PhD Student Leave of Absence Policy and the Family Friendly Policies for PhD Students have been amended, in partnership with the Graduate Council of the Faculties and the Council of Graduate Deans, in order to ensure that PhD students with external funding can access one semester of health insurance coverage while on medical or family leave, effective July 2022. The updated policies have now been adopted and published in the Pennbook.

—Beth A. Winkelstein, Interim Provost
—Karen Detlefsen, Vice Provost for Education

PhD Student Leave of Absence Policy

PhD students will be granted a leave of absence for military duty, medical reasons, or family leave; any of these may require documentation. Military, medical and family leave “stops the clock” on time to completion. Personal leave for other reasons may be granted with the approval of the Graduate Group Chair in consultation with the Graduate Dean of the student’s school, but does not, absent exceptional circumstances, “stop the clock” on time to completion.

Notification of permission or denial of leaves of absence will be communicated in writing by the student’s Graduate Group Chair. The terms of the leave will be specified at the time the leave is granted, including the extent to which the student will have access to resources, facilities, or campus – either physically or remotely – during the leave period. Requirements for return may be imposed by the Graduate Group Chair in consultation with the Graduate Dean of the student’s school; such requirements will be provided in writing to the student when the leave is approved.

Leaves of absence from PhD studies are typically granted for one or two semesters. Leaves requested for a longer period are approved only in exceptional circumstances (for example, mandatory military service). Students may request an extension of leave, to be approved by the Graduate Group Chair in consultation with the Graduate Dean. Extension requests should be made by the student at least 30 days before the expiration of the original leave of absence.

Continuous registration as a graduate student is required unless a formal leave of absence is granted. A student is considered to have withdrawn from candidacy for the degree if the student: (1) fails to return from leave as scheduled, (2) fails to secure an extension of a prior leave, or (3) does not have an approved leave of absence and fails to register each semester. In these cases, approval to return by the Graduate Dean and recertification are required as outlined in the Academic Rules for PhD Programs.

While on leave, a student’s funding from the University is deferred until the student returns from leave. Students receiving funding from external sources, such as government grants, are subject to the conditions established by the funding source. Students whose University funding includes coverage of the Penn Student Insurance Plan will continue to receive coverage for their individual health insurance while on medical or family leave for one full semester; students may petition for an additional semester. Students with external funding that includes health insurance coverage that will not continue if on leave will also receive coverage for their individual health insurance from their school while on medical or family leave for one full semester; these students may also petition for an additional semester. No language or other degree examinations may be taken while a student is on a leave of absence. Students may not earn credit for courses taken at another institution during a leave of absence. Leave should not be granted for the purpose of evading tuition charges. 

Students returning from leave are not guaranteed to return to the same research group, project, or lab. If necessary, the Graduate Group will make every effort to find a suitable new research group, project, or lab for the student.

In order to ensure successful completion of the PhD, a student’s leave(s) should generally not exceed two years over the course of the doctoral program. If, however, it is determined in an individual case that extension of the leave period(s) beyond two years is appropriate, students may need to repeat coursework or other requirements, as determined by the Graduate Group Chair. Original funding limits remain in place for students who must repeat requirements. In addition, the Graduate Group Chair, in consultation with the Graduate Dean, will annually review each case in which a further extension has been granted, or repeated leaves have been taken, to assess if the length and/or number of leaves have made it impossible for a student to make sufficient continuous academic progress to complete the degree.  In such a case, the student will be advised that no further extensions will be granted and that they will be withdrawn from the program.

Important note: Students taking Family Leave who anticipate adding a dependent (e.g., newborn) to their Penn Student Insurance Plan must remain in active student status at the start of the fall semester. See more information at https://catalog.upenn.edu/pennbook/family-friendly-policies-phd-students/.

The procedures for requesting and returning from leave are outlined here.

To read in Pennbook: https://catalog.upenn.edu/pennbook/phdstudentleaveofabsence/. 

Family Friendly Policies for PhD Students: New Parent Accommodation

A student in a PhD program at Penn is eligible for time off of eight weeks for the birth or adoption of a child. The student must complete the online New Parent Accommodation/Family Leave Request Form at least 60 days prior to the anticipated start date of the leave so that appropriate arrangements can be made to cover any teaching/research responsibilities.

The graduate group chair and dissertation advisor will be notified via email of the details of the student’s accommodation request. The graduate group is responsible for making the necessary arrangements within their department and school.

    A. Normally the “Time Off” period commences within two weeks of the birth or adoption.

    B. During the “Time Off” period, the student remains enrolled full-time. In order to facilitate a rapid return, students may participate in the program as fully as they deem appropriate. By remaining on full-time status, student visa status and loan repayment schedules, if any, will remain unchanged.

    C. The student is entitled to academic accommodation including relief from academic requirements, such as postponement of exams and course requirements.

    D. A student receiving stipend support is entitled to continuation of support during the “Time Off” period as follows:

        1. Students receiving stipends from University/school funds are entitled to draw support for eight weeks during the academic year.

        2. Students funded by government grants or other external funding sources are entitled to benefits as determined by the funding agency.

Family Leave of Absence Policy

A student in the PhD program at Penn may take an unpaid Family Leave of Absence for the birth or adoption of a child, child care, or care of an immediate family member (spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent) with a serious health condition.

The graduate group chair and dissertation advisor will be notified via email of the details of the student’s leave request. The graduate group is responsible for making the necessary arrangements within their department and school.

    A. Students may take a Family Leave of Absence for one semester or for two semesters.

    B. The student must complete the online New Parent Accommodation/Family Leave Request Form at least 60 days prior to an anticipated leave so that appropriate arrangements can be made to cover any teaching/research responsibilities. In unanticipated and/or emergency situations, students should fill out the form as soon as possible.

    C. Family Leave “stops the clock” on the student’s academic requirements, including service requirements, for the duration of the leave.

    D. Students whose University funding includes coverage of the Penn Student Insurance Plan will continue to receive coverage for their individual health insurance while on family leave for one full semester; students may petition for an additional semester. Students with external funding that includes health insurance coverage that will not continue if on leave will also receive coverage for their individual health insurance from the University while on family leave for one full semester; these students may also petition for an additional semester.  Upon paying a fee, students on approved Family Leave will retain their PennCard, e-mail accounts, library privileges, and building access.

    E. Funding commitments from the institution are deferred until the student returns from Family Leave. Students receiving funding from external sources, such as government grants, are subject to the conditions established by the funding source.

    F. Service requirements (e.g., teaching, research) will be met by the student following return from Family Leave.

    G. Requests for extension of Family Leave beyond one year, or for repeated Family Leaves, may be made. Approval of an extension, deferral of funding, and continued academic accommodation is at the discretion of the Graduate Dean.

*Important: If you anticipate adding a dependent (e.g., newborn) to your Penn Student Insurance Plan while on Family Leave, you must remain in active student status at the start of the fall semester. Students should arrange with their school/division to maintain full-time student status for at least 31 days from the start of fall classes, after which time the Family Leave status can be recorded in the student’s record. After the birth/adoption, contact the SHS Insurance Coordinator to enroll the dependent. The premium for dependent coverage is payable directly to the PSIP carrier.

To read in Pennbook: https://catalog.upenn.edu/pennbook/family-friendly-policies-phd-students/.

Michael E. Mann, one of the world’s leading voices on climate change, has been awarded the 2022 Stroud Award for Freshwater Excellence by the Stroud Water Research Center. The award was presented at the 20th annual the Water’s Edge gala at the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science.

Dr. Mann, Presidential Distinguished Professor of Earth and Environmental Science in the School of Arts and Sciences and director of the Penn Center for Science, Sustainability and the Media, also holds a secondary appointment in the Annenberg School for Communication. His research interests include the study of Earth’s climate system and the science, impacts, and policy implications of human-caused climate change. Dr. Mann was lead author on the Observed Climate Variability and Change chapter of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Third Scientific Assessment Report in 2001, and was organizing committee chair for the National Academy of Sciences Frontiers of Science in 2003. He has received numerous honors and awards, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s outstanding publication award in 2002 and selection by Scientific American as one of the 50 leading visionaries in science and technology in 2002. In all, Dr. Mann has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed and edited publications, numerous op-eds and commentaries, and five books.

“Water is the primary medium through which we feel the impacts of climate change, and Michael Mann is a leading voice on climate change. His groundbreaking research and masterful science communication have given weight and shape to the conversations needed to initiate climate action,” said David Arscott, executive director of Stroud. “We look forward to working with him to increase awareness of how climate action can support healthy streams and rivers and the clean fresh water they provide.”

Approximately 200 guests attended the gala, where Dr. Mann presented on his research on climate variability and extremes, including 1,000 years of temperature data that produced the hockey stick graph, so named because of its pronounced upward curve. The data, which combined decades of work by paleoclimate scientists, served as a smoking gun in the case proving human-induced climate change.

“It means a lot to me to receive this award from Stroud, not just because they’ve been such an important voice in the water and sustainability space, but because they are a key partner in the environmental education community here in eastern Pennsylvania,” said Dr. Mann. “I look forward to working closely with Stroud in the years ahead as we collectively seek to inform the sustainability conversation in the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

The Stroud Water Research Center advances knowledge and stewardship of freshwater systems through global research, education, and restoration. It helps businesses, landowners, policymakers, and individuals make informed decisions that affect water quality and availability around the world.

Since its launch in 2003, the Water’s Edge has featured noteworthy contributors to the world of science, fresh water, and conservation. Previous speakers and Stroud Award for Freshwater Excellence recipients have included luminaries such as Jane Goodall; Olivia Newton-John and John Easterling; American Rivers and its president, Bob Irvin; His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco; the Redford Center; Alexandra Cousteau; Melissa D. Ho of World Wildlife Fund; and others.

Penn Dental Medicine has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2022-2025—the second time receiving this designation for its innovative use of learning technologies, having also been an Apple Distinguished School for 2019-2022. Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of innovation, leadership, and educational excellence that use Apple technology to inspire creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. They showcase innovative uses of technology in learning, teaching, and the school environment and have documented results of academic accomplishment.

“This designation recognizes our school’s ongoing commitment to using innovation and technology to support and enhance teaching and learning,” said Penn Dental Medicine’s Morton Amsterdam Dean, Mark S. Wolff.

It was in 2014 that the school first established the Learning Technologies Team (LTT)—now the Center for Educational Technology and Innovation (CETI)—to support the incorporation of new learning technologies into the curriculum. Since then, the use of educational technologies has only continued to grow and evolve.

In 2015, Penn Dental Medicine rolled out its one-to-one iPad initiative, which provides each first-year DMD student with iPad, along with the digital learning content and comprehensive support to use it as an educational tool. Now, the one-to-one iPad initiative has expanded to include all incoming students in the school’s PASS program, foreign-trained dentists who join the second-year DMD class each January to earn their DMD.

“With iPads for everyone, we are optimizing the teaching and learning experience,” said Chia-Wei Wu, executive director of the Center for Educational Technology and Innovation. With support from the school’s information technology department, each iPad is distributed with relevant applications and settings pre-installed.

As the iPad has become a fixture in Penn Dental Medicine classrooms, faculty members have continued to adapt lecture materials to digital formats. To date, 97 Apple Books, or digital textbooks, have been developed with the support of the CETI, which are now primary classroom resources. They can be continually updated and offer a variety of high-tech features, including interactive components, HTML5 widgets, instructional videos, 3D renderings, online quizzes, and animation, that bring complex topics to life.

Along with supporting teaching and learning, the CETI has expanded into the development of instructional training resources for faculty and staff, producing Apple Books and online training modules.

Penn Dental Medicine postdoctoral student Dennis Sourvanos, GD’23, DScD’23, was awarded the 2022 American Society for Photobiology (ASP) Frederick Urbach Student Travel Award, enabling him to present his research at the ASP Biennial Meeting, held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The award, officially presented at the meeting, supports ASP associate members (students and postdocs) with travel expenses to present work as the first author of a study. Dr. Sourvanos was notified of his selection in August 2022, allowing him to travel to the meeting and present his research.

“Being part of this renowned international scientific event for photobiology is a rare opportunity for a dental clinician-scientist as we strive to engage with multidisciplinary groups to enhance our research in dental medicine,” said Dr. Sourvanos.

At the ASP meeting, Dr. Sourvanos presented research on photobiomodulation treatment after dental surgery, with an emphasis on calculating dose and related mechanisms to induce tissue regeneration. He presented his study alongside an international group of photobiology research scientists during the “Photodynamic Treatments and Mechanisms” session.

Dr. Sourvanos, who is completing his postdoctoral training in periodontics along with a concurrent DScD degree, is a current fellow in the Center for Innovation and Precision Dentistry (CiPD)’s, NIDCR T90/R90 Postdoctoral Training Program. The CiPD is a collaborative center between Penn Dental and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

As an NIDCR T90/R90 fellow, Dr. Sourvanos is part of a multidisciplinary collaboration with mentorship by Timothy C. Zhu and Theresa M. Busch of the department of radiation oncology in the Smilow Center for Translational Research at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He is also mentored by Joseph P. Fiorellini and Rodrigo Neiva within the department of periodontics at Penn Dental Medicine and CiPD co-directors Michel Koo and Kathleen Stebe.

“I am very appreciative that the CiPD fellowship has helped recruit exceptional mentors from radiation oncology,” said Dr. Sourvanos. “Attending the ASP meeting was a testament to the NIDCR T90/R90-CiPD mission, and I am actively working toward a career as an independently funded academic investigator that is bolstered by scientific immersion, equitable access, and diverse mentorship.”

The 2022 December AT PENN calendar is online. To view a web version of the calendar, click here. To download a printable PDF of the calendar, click here. 

Penn Bookstore has announced the dates for its annual Winter Sale-a-Bration on Wednesday, December 7 and Thursday, December 8 from 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Take advantage of a special 20% off discount storewide,* all while enjoying seasonal festivities. Stop in one or both days for seasonal performances by the Penn Glee Club, free professional photos at the winter-themed photobooth (props provided), and hot chocolate and cookies. Find something special for everyone on your holiday shopping list at this fun and festive event. Follow Penn Bookstore on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more details as the sale approaches. 

*In store only. Cannot be combined with other offers. Not valid for the purchase of gift cards, textbooks, electronics, and specialty items. Other restrictions may apply.

’Tis the Season to eat, shop and be merry! SHOP PENN Days of Deals are being held December 1-12 and features 12 days of sales and giveaways from our collection of eclectic stores and restaurants around campus in celebration of the season. Watch for special events, discounts, and contest giveaways, or check out the SHOP PENN Gift Guide to find the perfect present to purchase locally for the holidays.

Follow SHOP PENN on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (@shopsatpenn) for more details and a chance to win gift cards to retail locations throughout the week.

Visit https://www.shopsatpenn.com for more information.

An Open Session of the XPN Policy Board will take place on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at noon at WXPN.  

For more information, contact tess@xpn.org.

Professional and Personal Development Programs

Open to faculty and staff. Register at http://knowledgelink.upenn.edu/.

Applying Leadership Basics; 12/7; noon-1 p.m.; free. Applying leadership skills in the workplace, and in life, will set you apart from others as someone who is in charge, capable and driven. Being in a position of leadership puts you in a place where others watch what you do, look to you for direction and notice if your actions are in line with your beliefs. Making your intentions known will clarify the team’s goals and inspire those you are directing to tune in to your vision. This virtual workshop defines what sound leadership is, discusses characteristics of effective leaders and explains what effective leaders do well. The workshop also identifies potential leadership pitfalls.

Creating and Maintaining Your LinkedIn Profile; 12/15; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free. This live, online session will review tips on creating a great LinkedIn profile that will get you noticed by recruiters and industry professionals.

Work-Life Workshops

Open to faculty and staff. Register at www.hr.upenn.edu/registration. 

Understanding Social Security with Metlife; 12/6; noon-1 p.m.; noon-1 p.m.; free. There are advantages to delaying Social Security. In this online workshop, employees will learn about those advantages, the consequences of earned income, and how taxes can affect benefits.

Virtual 30-Minute Guided Meditation; 12/2, 12/9, 12/16; noon-12:30 p.m.; free. Meditation, quite simply, is training your attention. In an age of distraction, it is a very important skill to maintain focus, mental acuity, and develop emotional intelligence and fitness. This meditation is guided to encourage spaciousness and stability in your life. It may be the most worthwhile 30 minutes of your day!

Caregiving with Mindfulness; 12/8; noon-1 p.m.; free. At work and at home, we seem to spend much of our time caring for others. A mindfulness-based approach can help us to make a genuine connection while maintaining our own balance. This virtual workshop will explore the ways that mindfulness can support heartfelt caring for others while taking care of ourselves at the same time.

Managing Holiday Stress; 12/13; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free. Stress is stress, but for some reason it seems to quadruple around the holidays! This virtual workshop addresses the multiple causes of holiday stress and provides tips on how to reduce these stressors so participants can maintain their productivity, achieve a better balance and more fully enjoy the holiday season with friends and loved ones.

Virtual Guided Mindful Meditation; 12/15; noon-1 p.m.; free. This workshop is for participants to practice present moment awareness. Our practice will include guided meditation focusing on the breath, body awareness, mindful movement, and other practices to cultivate wellbeing for self and others. The workshop is appropriate for people new to mindfulness practice as well as more experienced practitioners. No experience necessary. .

Later Career—Creating Your Financial Foundation with PNC Bank; 12/20; noon-1 p.m.; free. Join PNC for their online workshop Creating Your Financial Foundation: Budgeting, Saving and Credit. This budgeting workshop can help you manage expenses, pay down your debt, and save for future goals. Also learn how to find a budgeting tool you like, integrate savings into your budget, and borrow responsibly.

Penn Healthy You Workshops

Open to faculty and staff. Register at www.hr.upenn.edu/registration.

Virtual Chair Yoga Plus Core; 12/5, 12/12, 12/19; noon-12:30 p.m.; free. Chair Yoga + Core program consists of moves you can do to tone your abdominals, lengthen your spine, and strengthen your entire torso region. Many activities depend on a strong core, from the simple act of bending to put on shoes to the most athletic endeavors. Chair yoga for the core helps you learn to engage your abdominals correctly. With the abdominals engaged, you’ll find a natural lift and length without having to force anything. In just 30 minutes, beginners and those who regularly exercise can learn what to do without leaving their desks.

Developing A Journaling Practice for Calm and Self-Care; 12/6; noon-1 p.m.; free. This 60-minute virtual class will allow you time and space to learn about creating an intentional journaling practice for calm and self-care. Learn how to pause and reflect intentionally for centering yourself. Learn journal prompts to free intuition and deeper clarity. The process supports confidence, courage, self-awareness, healing, and self-acceptance.

Virgin Pulse Wellness Platform Demo; 12/7; noon-1 p.m.; free. Join us for a virtual demonstration of the Virgin Pulse wellness platform and review of the 2022-2023 Be in the Know campaign! Learn about upcoming campaign deadlines, plus ways to support your overall well-being and earn up to $300 in Pulse Cash rewards. During the demonstration, the Virgin Pulse team will walk participants through many aspects of the platform and Be in the Know wellness campaign.

Virtual Chair Yoga; 12/14; noon-1 p.m.; free. Plenty of people turn to yoga for exercise, but striking a pose isn’t for everyone. If you’ve been tempted to try it but don’t know where to start, it’s time to try chair yoga. Chair yoga is a more moderate form of yoga that’s done while sitting in a chair or using a chair for support. You get the same benefits of a regular yoga workout (like increased strength, flexibility, and balance) but don’t have to master complex poses. Chair yoga can even better your breathing and teach you how to relax your mind and improve your wellbeing. Ready to give it a try? Join us for a free chair yoga workshop. And don’t worry about your experience or flexibility--chair yoga can be modified for all levels! This workshop will be led by Judith Glass from UPHS.

Monthly Wellness Walk—Holiday Style; 12/14; meet at noon; Locust Walk by College Hall; free. Meet the team at noon on Locust Walk by College Hall and the Ben Franklin statue. The CPHI will lead you on a two-mile walk on/near campus that will help you increase physical activity and steps, plus build community among participating Penn staff and faculty. Be sure to wear sneakers or comfortable shoes, bring water, and invite a colleague to join the celebration! For December, show your holiday spirit by wearing some holiday apparel or accessories! Please watch for announcements regarding mask use and social distancing. We look forward to walking together and promoting staff and faculty well-being!

Healthy Holiday Eating Workshop with Corporate Wellness Nutrition; 12/15; noon-1 p.m.; free. Holidays are filled with celebrations and food. Let us help you master staying on track during the holidays while still enjoying yourself. Join Corporate Wellness Nutrition’s registered dietician, Autumn Limegrover, who will provide you with a clear plan on how to reach your health goals over the holidays.

Exhibits

Penn Museum

Info: https://www.penn.museum/calendar.

25        Global Guide Tour; 2:30 p.m.

26        Rome Gallery Tour; 11 a.m.

            Eastern Mediterranean Gallery Tour; 2 p.m.

            Global Guide Tour; 2:30 p.m.

27        Egypt Galleries Tour; 11 a.m.

            Eastern Mediterranean Gallery Tour; 2 p.m.

            Global Guide Tour; 2:30 p.m.

Fitness & Learning

21        Admissions Web Chat Series; ask questions about the Weitzman School’s graduate programs and interact with current students and admissions staff; noon; Zoom webinar; register: https://tinyurl.com/weitzman-admissions-nov-30 (Weitzman School).

Graduate School of Education

Online events unless noted. Info: https://www.gse.upenn.edu/news/events-calendar.

29        Penn GSE Teacher Programs Information Session; 5 p.m.

Penn Nursing

Online events unless noted. Info: https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/calendar/.

29        Penn Nursing Innovation Accelerator Information Session; 4 p.m.

Readings & Signings

30        Panel Discussion—Black Panther: Wakanda Forever; Dagmawi Woubshet, Peter Decherney, Arianna Qianru James, and Jean-Christophe Cloutier, English; 5:30 p.m.; Gutmann College House, and YouTube livestream; join: https://youtu.be/LYQPUt8omow (English).

Talks

28        Behavioral Tectonics; Roland Snooks, Snooks + Harper; 6:30 p.m.; Plaza Gallery, Meyerson Hall (Architecture).

29        Data Privacy is Important, But It’s Not Enough; Katrina Ligett, Hebrew University; 3:30 p.m.; Wu & Chen Auditorium, Levine Hall (Computer & Information Science).

            The World Today: Oil Markets and the Geopolitics of Energy; Angela Pachon, Kleinman Center for Energy Policy; Robert Vitalis, political science; Benjamin Schmitt, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics; 4 p.m.; Global Policy Lab, Perry World House, and Zoom webinar; register: https://tinyurl.com/pwh-talk-nov-29 (Perry World House).

            Water Resource Issues and Climate Change in Chilean Patagonia and Implications for Vulnerable Ecosystems; Giovanni Daneri, University of Southampton; 5 p.m.; room 473, McNeil Building, and Zoom webinar; info: https://tinyurl.com/daneri-talk-nov-29 (Center for Latin American and Latinx Studies).  

30        Assessment and Management of Opioid Use Disorder: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD); Peggy Compton, family & community health; noon; online webinar; register: https://tinyurl.com/compton-talk-nov-30 (Nursing).

            Scallop: A Language for Neuro-Symbolic Programming; Mayur Naik, computer & information science; noon; room 307, Levine Hall (Computer & Information Science).

            The Effects and Local Implementation of School Finance Reforms on Teacher Salary, Hiring, and Turnover; Christopher Candelaria, Vanderbilt University; 12:15 p.m.; room 200, GSE (Graduate School of Education).

            Examining Police Reform in the Era of Social Media and Black Lives Matter; T. Greg Doucette, lawyer; Jared Lowe, author; 1:45 p.m.; room 500, Annenberg School; register: https://tinyurl.com/doucette-lowe-nov-30 (Paideia).

            Sustaining the Semiconductor Revolution: Challenges and Opportunities; Tsu-Jae King Liu, University of California Berkeley; 3 p.m.; Glandt Forum, Singh Center for Nanotechnology (Electrical & Systems Engineering).

            Ultrafast Manipulation of Electronic Interactions in Quantum Materials; Matteo Mitrano, Harvard University; 3:30 p.m.; Zoom webinar; join: https://tinyurl.com/mitrano-talk-nov-30 (Physics & Astronomy).

            The Future of the Constitution and the Supreme Court; panel of speakers; 5:30 p.m.; Zoom webinar; register: https://tinyurl.com/paideia-talk-nov-30 (Paideia).

Economics

In-person events at various locations. Info: https://economics.sas.upenn.edu/events.

28        Automatic Debiased Machine Learning with Generic Machine Learning for Static and Dynamic Causal Parameters; Vasilis Syrgkanis, Stanford University; 4:30 p.m.; room 100, PCPSE.

29        Algorithmic Mechanism Design with Investment; Shengwu Li, Harvard University; 4 p.m.; room 101, PCPSE.

30        Does the Gender Composition of an Occupation Affect Wages? Nicola Fuchs-Schϋendeln, Goethe University Frankfurt; 4 p.m.; room 101, PCPSE.

Sociology

Online and in-person events. Info: https://sociology.sas.upenn.edu/events.

29        When My Reflection Is Who I Am: Vulnerability and Credibility in Digital Asian Feminism and Public Scholarship; Paulina Inara Rodis, Annenberg School; 10 a.m.; room 367, McNeil Building.

30        The Geography of Income Polarization and Its Intergenerational Consequences; Siwei Cheng, New York University; noon; room 150, McNeil Building.

Workshop in the History of Material Texts

In-person events at Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion, Van Pelt Library. Info: https://pennmaterialtexts.org/about/events/.

28        Partnership in the Studio: Reconsidering Ōi and Hokusai; Julie Davis, history of art; 5:15 p.m.

This is an update to the November AT PENN calendar. To submit events for an upcoming AT PENN calendar or weekly update, send the salient details to almanac@upenn.edu.

University of Pennsylvania Police Department Crime Report

Below are the Crimes Against Persons, Crimes Against Society and Crimes Against Property from the campus report for November 7-13, 2022. View prior weeks’ reports. —Ed.

This summary is prepared by the Division of Public Safety and includes all criminal incidents reported and made known to the University Police Department for the dates of November 7-13, 2022. The University Police actively patrol from Market St to Baltimore and from the Schuylkill River to 43rd St in conjunction with the Philadelphia Police. In this effort to provide you with a thorough and accurate report on public safety concerns, we hope that your increased awareness will lessen the opportunity for crime. For any concerns or suggestions regarding this report, please call the Division of Public Safety at (215) 898-4482.

18th District

Below are the Crimes Against Persons from the 18th District: 3 incidents (2 robberies and 1 aggravated assault) were reported for November 7-13, 2022 by the 18^th District, covering the Schuylkill River to 49th St & Market St to Woodland Avenue.

Another tip in a series provided by the Offices of Information Security, Information Systems & Computing and Audit, Compliance & Privacy

In the past two months, the Office of Information Security (OIS) saw an increased number of sophisticated phishing attacks targeting University faculty and staff. The attacks aim to lure the recipient to willingly give away their Penn WebLogin passwords and Two-Step Verification codes, allowing the attackers access to protected sensitive information. These methods include:

1. Give away their Two-Step Verification code. A recipient may receive a text from someone asking for their Penn Two-Step Verification code. Once the recipient provides the code, the attacker can access the recipients’ accounts. 
2. The recipient may receive a link in a text or an email message to a web page that mimics a Penn    WebLogin page. The fake webpage requires the recipient to enter his/her username, password, and the Two-Step Verification Code. 

Take the following steps to protect Penn and your sensitive information:

• Install the Duo Mobile app on your mobile device. Using the Duo Mobile app provides an easy method of verification to access protected pages. 
• Never share your Two-Step Verification codes in text messages with others. 
• Use a password manager to create a strong, unique password for each of your accounts. 
• Pay attention to the FROM email field. Hover over the FROM email field to verify the sender. Report the email to your IT support staff if the FROM field is not coming from a Penn email address or an address you know. 
• To protect your data from a potential ransomware attack, consult with your School/Center IT staff on where to create a backup for Penn’s sensitive data.
• Hover over any links embedded in email before you click to verify the legitimacy of the link. If in doubt, consult with your IT support staff or the Office of Information Security at phishing@isc.upenn.edu. 

For additional tips, see the One Step Ahead link on the Information Security website: https://www.isc.upenn.edu/security/news-alerts#One-Step-Ahead.

There will be no issue of Almanac next week, Tuesday, November 29, because of the Thanksgiving holiday. The next issue will appear on Tuesday, December 6. The last issue of the semester will appear on Tuesday, December 13, which will also include the January AT PENN calendar. To submit a news item, email almanac@upenn.edu.

Stephen D. Cole

Louis Pasteur opened his famed essay Germ Theory And its Application on the Antiseptic Principle of the Practice of Surgery with a phrase that can be translated as “the sciences gain by mutual support.” The concept behind this statement is applicable in science and medical education as well. Not only can scientific fields support other fields, those studying a science can also support each other. Students in some science-based, professional programs (like ours at Penn Vet) may work in groups in certain types of clinical courses (e.g. problem-based learning discussion groups, clinical rotations), but they also spend a considerable amount of time in basic science and clinical lectures without active peer engagement. 

Alongside the logistical and time barriers that make integrating groupwork difficult into a busy basic science course, I recognize that it can be difficult for our students to engage with the relevance of the immune system when inundated with learning content covering seven different domestic animal species. It is not easy to make a mostly “invisible” (AKA microscopic) system stand out among the rhythmic beating of the heart or the rigid complexity of the skeleton or the dramatic gasps of the lungs. In this article, I will describe how, in a traditionally didactic course, I have used groupwork that integrates knowledge and skills from other parts of our curriculum to make immunology, one of the basic science courses in the curriculum, feel more relevant to our students’ career goals. 

Our immunology course is team taught by ten dedicated and brilliant faculty with expertise across a wide range of every major aspect of the immune system. Each lecture is dynamic, top notch and cutting-edge. However, the disadvantage to this team-taught approach is that the course can feel like a high-end lecture series that doesn’t flow smoothly. When I became the course organizer, it was my goal to help the students connect the “basic science” that they learn in the lectures to the “real-world” patients and problems they will soon face as clinical veterinarians. To accomplish this, I wanted to design virtual groupwork activities where students would use skills beyond those we teach directly in our course. I put in some extra work to understand where my students stood in terms of the skills that I would need them to use. I looked through syllabi from other courses, spoke with other instructors and conducted informal conversations with students after each activity session. As instructors, it’s important that we understand what our students learn elsewhere in the curriculum (although I admit I have a distinct advantage because I am a graduate of our VMD program).

Ultimately, I designed four activities, first used in spring 2021 and then again in spring 2022 with some adjustments. All activities were held via Zoom breakout rooms in randomly assigned groups of 5-6 students. At least two faculty were available for questions in the main room throughout. Groups submitted their work together via a Canvas group page upload and feedback was provided via comments on that page from the course organizer. Completion and active participation contributed to their final grade in the course. The four activities were:

Journal Club: We used this activity to introduce novel topics and help students see the relevance of research to clinical practice.  After some preparation presented by the faculty that explained topics students might not be familiar with, students read a short article on toll-like receptor expression during a clinical case of demodicosis (an overgrowth of skin mites). Then they worked in groups to evaluate the article’s scientific rigor, patient population and implications on clinical practice. 

Show-and-Tell: Each student in the group performed background research on a commonly used diagnostic immunoassay for infectious diseases of domestic animals. They specifically identified what the test detected (e.g. antibody or antigen), described the technology used (e.g. ELISA) and explained a particular factor that could affect interpretation of results (e.g. age of animal, vaccination status). The group then completed a table for submission following review of the background research by each student. 

Infographic: Following a lecture on vaccinology and vaccine hesitancy in pet owners, groups selected a platform (either Piktochart or Powerpoint) to design an infographic to answer the question “Are vaccines safe?” which were submitted for evaluation.  After students completed this project, we highlighted the importance of clear communication skills and indicated the importance of approachable language explanations.

Clinical Case Work-up: Following a lecture on inherited disorders of the immune system in dogs, students were asked to work through a “paper case” of a puppy with recurrent infections. Together, students developed a problem list that ranked the dog’s problems in degree of specificity, then linked the dog’s breed to an inherited disorder of Border Collies and crafted a message to describe the diagnosis and prognosis to the dog’s owners. 

I believe these activities have been successful, not only because they are engaging and make the material more applicable, but also because they help to provide context for our course within the entire professional veterinary program.  Throughout we emphasized that we chose small groups for these activities so that students can build rapport over the activities (we assign groups randomly, which stay fixed across the four activities). We also explained that the group approach is reflective of smaller, consistent teams which are the norm in a veterinary setting. 

After two years of completing these activities, feedback from students has been positive overall. Students have stated that “the [activities] were a great way to get us thinking about the material” and that “while they were not in person, they were some of the most engaging labs that I have had at Penn.” Occasionally we have heard that they “are what students make of them” and that some groups “mostly worked in silence in the online format.” Future directions for our class include making sure that all groups are getting something out of the activity with active check-ins or debriefs.

At Penn, across the faculty and schools, most of us teach within the context of a larger program. Many of our students may or may not have similar career goals or ideas, but active groupwork can be used to help contextualize our courses within that larger program and within a field or fields that students are likely to pursue. It shows our students that we care about their success beyond our own individual courses or classrooms when we can draw on their other experiences in a program and show them how they may ultimately use what they are learning. Within the Penn Vet immunology course, I suspect it points out to our students that our course has implications far beyond the final exam--that the skills and knowledge they gain in our course have implications on their entire career path. Groupwork allows students to practice key abilities and demonstrate foundational understanding, but most importantly, work with potential future colleagues while it is still “okay” to make mistakes. 

Stephen D. Cole is an assistant professor of clinical microbiology at Penn Vet.
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This essay continues the series that began in the fall of 1994 as the joint creation of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Lindback Society for Distinguished Teaching. 

See https://almanac.upenn.edu/talk-about-teaching-and-learning-archive for previous essays.