November 7, 2023 Volume 70 Issue 13

November 1, 2023

To the Penn community,

I write today to announce Penn’s Action Plan to Combat Antisemitism, our dedicated commitment to counter this evil on our campus and beyond. I also want to update you on additional steps Penn is taking on the related challenges of other forms of hate.

Across the country and world, we are witnessing pernicious acts of antisemitism, including on college and university campuses. I am appalled by incidents on our own campus, and I’ve heard too many heartbreaking stories from those who are fearful for their safety right here at Penn. This is completely unacceptable. It wounds us at Penn even more acutely because of the history and vibrancy of Jewish life here. The engagement of Jewish faculty, students, staff, and alumni has been an important part of the success of Penn as a leading University. To see their sense of belonging shaken by hurt and fear—that is intolerable to me. It is also galvanizing.

During the past several weeks, I have been conferring closely with national and local Jewish leaders, as well as our faculty, students, staff, and alumni to construct a whole-University approach to combatting antisemitism at Penn. The action plan focuses on three critical areas—safety and security, engagement, and education—and is anchored in the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. I encourage you to read the full action plan by visiting this site: https://antisemitism-action-plan.upenn.edu.

Among our immediate actions is the creation of a new University Task Force on Antisemitism. I have asked Mark Wolff, the Morton Amsterdam Dean of the School of Dental Medicine, to spearhead this group. I am grateful to Dean Wolff for his leadership. We will soon announce additional members of this task force. We will also complete a comprehensive safety and security review for Penn-affiliated religious life centers in and around campus.

At the same time, the interconnectedness of antisemitism and other forms of hate, including Islamophobia, also demands our attention and action. I know that our Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab communities feel unseen and that their pain and grief have not been acknowledged. They have also been targeted with harassment and horrific threats. This is unacceptable and must be addressed with equal vigor. I will soon convene and charge a Presidential Commission on these challenges, which will be chaired by Vijay Kumar, Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn Engineering, and Katharine Strunk, dean of the Graduate School of Education, and I will be in touch with updates.

I believe that in times of such pain and anger, our actions must be guided by our common values and Penn’s founding mission of creating knowledge, sharing it for good, and educating the next generation. We must bring our research, teaching, and service mission to bear on urgent challenges in the world. We must find and build common ground and be a community that sees, hears, and supports all its members. We must do this while advancing understanding aided by all the amazing resources at Penn. That is why the actions I share today will be well-integrated with our strategic planning for the University’s future. Penn’s senior leadership will also work with school and center leaders to encourage and support these efforts.

This is an incredibly challenging moment in the world, and we are feeling its reverberations on our campus. We can and will do better to combat antisemitism and to reject hate in all its forms. The deep care and passion so many people have for this University is remarkable, and I share it. I believe keeping it close in mind will help us undertake everything we need to do in the coming weeks, months, and years. I look forward to continuing to work with all of you as we move forward together.

—M. Elizabeth Magill, President Trustees University Professor and Professor of Law

Building upon the expertise in dementia research and care across Penn Medicine, Penn’s health system has been awarded a $5 million grant from the Delaware Community Foundation to support work at the Institute on Aging’s (IOA) at Penn to develop the next generation of therapies for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Led by David Wolk and Edward Lee, the IOA will collaborate with teams who have identified and validated potential therapeutic targets to translate basic science research into treatments that address the root causes of ADRD.

Specifically, the funds will support development and translation of novel therapeutics and approaches for more effective targeting and enhanced efficacy of therapies that change how ADRD develops over time. Funds will also support expansion of tissue and biofluid repositories, DNA sequencing, and biomarker testing, facilitating discovery and testing of potential targets for new therapies.  

“Newly approved Alzheimer’s drugs are an exciting development for patients already diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, as they can slow the development of debilitating symptoms, like memory loss and impairment of judgment,” said Dr. Wolk. “But these drugs don’t prevent the disease from developing in the first place. It is our hope that the collaboration between basic scientists and clinicians at Penn Medicine will build on the already groundbreaking research on dementia and help us develop treatments that can one day stop the disease in its tracks.”

An estimated 6 million Americans currently live with an ADRD, a category that includes Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), and Lewy Body dementia. These dementias cause devastating symptoms, such as memory loss and impairment of language, vision, judgment, and emotional control. These symptoms profoundly impact the lives of patients and their loved ones. The vast majority of individuals who develop an ADRD are age 65 or older, a population that is estimated to grow to 78 million in the United States by 2035.

“This demographic shift represents a major challenge to health systems as they prepare to care for a massive increase in the number of patients with dementia. However, it also represents a huge opportunity to drive research now that addresses the future’s greatest challenges,” said Dr. Wolk, a professor of neurology and co-director of the IOA. “Penn Medicine is already a leader in diagnosing and treating dementia, and has supported foundational research that helped us understand its underlying mechanisms. Now we have the opportunity to develop the next generation of dementia treatments, so we are prepared to care for these patients when they need us.”

Groundbreaking research at Penn Medicine led by Virginia M.Y. Lee, the John H. Ware 3rd Endowed Professor in Alzheimer’s Research in the division of pathology and laboratory medicine, and the late John Q. Trojanowski, a former professor of geriatric medicine and gerontology in the division of pathology and laboratory medicine, pioneered three historic scientific discoveries in the field of neuroscience and neurodegenerative diseases: the demonstration that tau is the major constituent of neurofibrillary tangles in AD, the discovery that Lewy bodies are comprised of alpha-synuclein, and the discovery that inclusions in FTLD and ALS are made of TDP-43 protein.

“Normal aging and specific neurodegenerative conditions have often been studied in isolation, but as Lee and Trojanowski’s research shows, many neurodegenerative diseases share similar pathology and biomarkers,” said Dr. Lee, an associate professor of pathology and laboratory medicine and co-director of the IOA. “Here at Penn, ADRD researchers are able to collaborate across disciplines to study these conditions together rather than in isolation, and unveil common mechanisms, such as their links to the biology of aging, which can accelerate development of therapies for these conditions.”

This grant is supported by the Paul H. Boerger Fund of the Delaware Community Foundation.

The Camden County Prosecutor’s Office has enlisted Penn’s School of Nursing and Annenberg School for Communication’s Virtual Reality ColLABorative to create a locally tailored training video on Narcan administration, using virtual reality to create an immersive viewing experience. County officials recently announced the launch of the nine-minute video, which is supported by funding from the 2022 Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) Operation Helping Hand grant, administered by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Camden County to get as many people trained as possible, to reach as many people as we can,” prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay said. The video lays out Narcan administration in simple terms and provides the reassurance that “it can’t hurt you; it can only help, and even if it turns out someone did not need it, there’s no harm, nor liability.”

John Pellicane, director of the Camden County Office of Mental Health and Addiction, said that training decreases stigma while increasing education and acceptance of harm reduction. He said the county has NaloxBoxes in public libraries, health facilities, schools, courts, bars, motels, parks, and other settings where someone might be able to respond to an overdose. The county has Overdose Emergency Kits on some school buses and has so far trained 275 school bus drivers to respond to an overdose.

The Camden County-Penn partnership stemmed from a prior training video co-created by Kyle Cassidy, a technologist at Annenberg, and is the third in a series of VR Narcan training collaborations with Penn Nursing, following trainings of nursing students in 2018 and laypeople in Philadelphia in 2020. Mr. Cassidy co-founded the Annenberg Virtual Reality ColLABorative in 2022 with research associate Katerina Girginova, who received her PhD from Annenberg in 2018.

Anyone can watch the video online. Watching it with a cell phone inserted into a Google Cardboard viewer available for $10—or any virtual reality headset—provides an immersive and transporting experience. Those watching it without a device can drag the cursor across the video to get a 360-degree view.

Katerina Girginova, co-director of the Annenberg Virtual Reality ColLABorative, said she also hopes this mode of delivery will appeal to younger audiences. She added that VR training combines different learning styles—such as visual, aural, and kinesthetic—“which potentially makes for an impactful learning experience.” Mr. Cassidy notes VR isn’t a new technology but “a bunch of old technologies used in new ways,” explaining that making a video involves merging several fish-eye lenses and attaching them to an accelerometer.

Annenberg doctoral students Kate Okker-Edging, Nya Mbock, and undergraduate student Oscar Vazquez, helped write the script for the Camden County video.

At last week’s press conference, Camden County Commissioner Director Louis J. Cappelli said the video “will be used as a fast and easy alternative” to support Naloxone training for students and staff, bus drivers, and others who carry the lifesaving pharmaceutical. “Narcan is a critical tool in our battle against the opioid and overdose epidemic,” Commissioner Director Cappelli said. “It is imperative that as many people as possible are trained in how to administer this lifesaving medication, and this instructional video will help us do that. I am extremely proud that Camden County is continuing to lead the way when it comes to defeating the opioid epidemic.”

The University of Pennsylvania will serve as an education partner in support of workforce development efforts with the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub (MACH2), a partnership that will receive up to $750 million in U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funding through the historic Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program. The program, announced by the DOE on October 13, 2023, will award up to $7 billion in grants.

MACH2 will aid in the creation of a clean hydrogen hub—a network of hydrogen producers, consumers, and local connective infrastructure—in Delaware, southeastern Pennsylvania, and southern New Jersey. It is one of seven U.S. hydrogen hubs to receive funding. In this effort, Penn will work in partnership with Drexel University, the University of Delaware, Cheyney University, and Rowan University.

Eric Detsi, an associate professor in materials science and engineering (MSE) at Penn Engineering, will lead the work for Penn and Drexel. Additional Penn researchers involved include Tom Mallouk, the Vagelos Professor in Energy Research and chair of the department of chemistry in Penn Arts & Sciences, and John Vohs, the Carl V. S. Patterson Professor in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and co-director of the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research. Drs. Detsi, Mallouk, and Vohs are each faculty members of Penn’s Vagelos Institute for Energy Science and Technology, which facilitated the partnership with MACH2.

“The University of Pennsylvania is thrilled to contribute to the goals of MACH2 to advance clean hydrogen energy,” said Dawn Bonnell, Penn’s Senior Vice Provost for Research and Henry Robinson Towne Professor in MSE. “With partners in the hub, we will develop groundbreaking research that generates technologies and implementation that can transform the energy base of the region. We will help develop educational programs that support the new workforce. The opportunity for academic institutions to collaborate with industry partners and the community is exciting and the best path to success.”

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the world, and the DOE is working to accelerate its use as a clean energy source. “Unlocking the full potential of hydrogen, a versatile fuel that can be made from almost any energy resource in virtually every part of the country, is crucial to achieving President Biden’s goal of American industry powered by American clean energy, ensuring less volatility and more affordable clean energy options for American families and businesses,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “With this historic investment, the Biden-Harris Administration is laying the foundation for a new, American-led industry that will propel the global clean energy transition while creating high-quality jobs and delivering healthier communities in every pocket of the nation.”

MACH2 will encompass a network of hydrogen producers, consumers, local connective infrastructure for hydrogen deployment, and the education and training needed to develop the region’s clean energy workforce. Funded by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the hydrogen hubs will accelerate the commercial-scale deployment of clean hydrogen power, create a new form of energy storage, and decarbonize heavy industry and transportation to meet President Biden’s goal of a 100 percent clean electrical grid by 2035 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“Hydrogen is a clean, carbon-free fuel that enables the long-term storage of electrical energy,” said Dr. Mallouk. “As the U.S. moves away from carbon-intensive energy use that is based on coal and oil, we need ways to store the energy produced from carbon-free resources—solar, wind, nuclear and hydroelectric—that produce electrical energy.”

As part of this effort, Penn will add a new hydrogen concentration to the curriculum of three of its bachelor’s degrees in engineering: chemical and biomolecular engineering, mechanical engineering and applied mechanics, and materials science and engineering.

“The U.S. will need skilled employees who can safely handle and maintain hydrogen and related technologies,” said Dr. Detsi. “The U.S. will also need well-educated professionals who can supervise these skilled workers, and who can resolve technical, economic, regulatory, and policy issues within the sector. Penn and the other partners involved will play a key role in training this hydrogen workforce and its leaders.”

David Edward Boettiger, an emeritus professor of microbiology in the Perelman School of Medicine, died on October 6. He was 80.

Dr. Boettiger was born in Baltimore, Maryland, but grew up mostly in Storrs, Connecticut, where his father was a professor at UConn. He attended Earlham, a Quaker college in Indiana, graduating in 1964. He was active in the civil rights movement and the peace movement, and joined the Peace Corps during the Vietnam War, where he served as a teacher in rural Ethiopia.  

Dr. Boettiger returned to complete his graduate studies in the U.S., where, as a PhD student at the University of Michigan, he helped discover the protein reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that can turn RNA into DNA. This discovery earned Dr. Boettiger’s mentor, Howard Temin, a Nobel Prize in 1975. At the time, it was believed RNA could only serve as a transient intermediate between DNA and protein, rather than templating DNA production. Reverse-transcriptase was critical in the scientific understanding of cancer-inducing behavior of the Sarcoma virus in which the gene was first identified, as well as the replication and immune evasion of HIV, the virus that causes AIDs. The enzyme has also become among the most widely used in molecular biology today, in analysis of gene expression by sequencing the DNA transcripts produced from RNA templates.

Dr. Boettiger joined Penn’s microbiology faculty in 1974 and was promoted to full professor in 1986. He retired in 2011 and was accorded emeritus status. As a researcher at Penn, he studied the molecular mechanisms of cell adhesion, which is critical for the integrity of tissues and organs and for the infection of cells by microbes and viruses. Among his works, Dr. Boettiger showed that adhesive complexes, like integrin, not only hold cells together on their matrix of extracellular proteins, but also transduce mechanical forces into chemical signals to alter cell behavior. In recognition of his contributions, he was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

In his spare time, Dr. Boettiger enjoyed skiing, hiking, backpacking, and sailing with his family. He was a Boy Scout and later served as a Venture Scout leader in the Philadelphia area for nearly twenty years.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his sons, Alistair and Carl; and his grandchildren, Edward, Matilda, and James.

Natalie Kim, a first-year student at Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine, died on October 24 from complications from a malignant brain tumor. She was 23.

Ms. Kim was born in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. In 2018, she graduated as the salutatorian from Delaware County Christian School, then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Swarthmore College. During her high school years, she was a prolific violinist, serving as co-concertmaster of the Delaware County Youth Orchestra. Then, in college, after making a change to the viola, was principal viola of the Swarthmore College Orchestra and co-founded the Chroma Quartet, which won Swarthmore’s ensemble competition during Ms. Kim’s senior year.

Since getting her first beta fish as a 7-year-old, Ms. Kim had a passion for animals, and she would eventually help care for four guinea pigs and a cockapoo, Maisy. In high school, she interned at Radnor Veterinary Hospital, and while working at Town & Country Veterinary Hospital in Media, Pennsylvania during her gap year, she solidified her interest in helping animals. After taking a gap year, Ms. Kim began as a student at Penn Vet in August 2023.

“Natalie was a homebody who loved rainy days, drinking tea, crocheting, and spending time with her friends and sister Maggie,” said her family in an online tribute. “But her most precious moments were those spent with her beloved Maisy. Natalie had a quiet and gentle spirit but was also subtle and witty with her one-liners. Everyone who knew her marveled at her diligence, responsible nature, and strong work ethic.”

Ms. Kim is survived by her parents, David and Jane Kim; her sister, Maggie Kim; her grandmother, Happy Kang; her grandparents, Chai and Alice Kim; her Aunt Susan and Uncle Peter Moon; and her cousins, Ethan and Noah Moon. A service was held on November 4 at Church of the Savior in Wayne, Pennsylvania.

Donations in Ms. Kim’s memory can be made to the Town & Country Veterinary Hospital in Media at https://www.gofundme.com/f/natalie-kim.

Cheryl Neisser-Frankson, MSN ’93, PhD ’03, an advanced senior lecturer in Penn Nursing’s department of biobehavioral and health science, died on October 9. She was 63.

Dr. Neisser-Frankson obtained master’s and doctoral degrees from Penn Nursing. While there, she joined the school’s faculty as a teaching assistant, a position she held from 1991 to 2000. In 2004, she joined the faculty full-time as a lecturer; she was promoted to advanced senior lecturer in 2017. “She worked with fellow colleagues on course curricula and provided leadership as course director to bring a robust learning experience to our students.” said Penn Nursing dean Antonia Villarruel in an online tribute. “Known for being a sincere educator who thoughtfully prepared for lectures, and for applying multiple teaching strategies that engaged different types of learners, Cheryl was a hard-working, knowledgeable member of our community and will be deeply missed. We have lost a dedicated nurse, course director, and instructor.”

Dr. Neisser-Frankson is survived by her husband, Raymond Frankson; her parents, Arlene and Robert Neisser; her siblings, Carolyn Neisser and Steven Neisser; her niece, Amber Stewart; and many others. Her nephew, Brian Stewart, predeceased her. Funeral services and shiva were observed in October. Contributions in her memory may be made to National Scleroderma Foundation Mid-Atlantic Chapter, 300 Rosewood Dr., Suite 105, Danvers, MA 01923, www.scleroderma.org.

Rosalyn (Roz) Watts, an emerita associate professor in the nursing and biobehavioral health sciences departments of Penn’s School of Nursing, died on October 19. She was 85.

Dr. Watts had a distinguished academic career at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing that spanned four decades and combined teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities. She joined Penn Nursing’s faculty as an instructor in 1969, moving through the ranks to become an associate professor in the graduate division of nursing in 1982. She also held a secondary appointment in the department of nursing and biobehavioral health sciences. She retired in 1999 and assumed emeritus status.

Dr. Watts’s impact at Penn was wide. In 1984, she developed the Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist Program, which evolved over the next ten years into the first Critical Care Nurse Practitioner program in the country. Alumni commonly refer to themselves as “a graduate of Roz’s program.” Combining “superb professional leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration,” Dr. Watts was an advocate and mentor for minority students and spearheaded the Biennial Black Health program at Penn Nursing, which addressed health disparities for African Americans. When Dr. Watts received Penn’s coveted Lindback Award in 1997 (Almanac April 15, 1997), a former graduate student wrote: “a teacher should enable students to think and create as they might say in today’s re-engineering circles ‘out of the box.’ Roz Watts has been out of the box for years. She always insisted on high standards. She insisted that we write ‘elegantly,’ think ‘critically,’ and perform expertly.” A colleague noted: “The School of Nursing is justifiably proud of its advising program and Dr. Watts serves as a role model for excellence in undergraduate and graduate and doctoral advising.”

Dr. Watts’ passion for advancing marginalized groups’ presence at Penn did not end with her retirement from Penn; shortly thereafter, Dr. Watts returned to Penn Nursing to lead the Office of Diversity Affairs. As the director of this office, she interacted with faculty, students, and staff to help facilitate the school’s diversity agenda with emphasis on recruitment of under-represented groups, curriculum development on cultural competence, and faculty development [regarding] diversity.

“We have lost one of our most respected, and most beloved scholars whose impact was felt by many,” said Penn Nursing dean Antonia Villarruel in an email to faculty. “She was a trusted colleague and friend who inspired, supported, and touched students, faculty, and all with whom she met.”

A funeral service will be held on November 17, 2023, at 10 a.m. at the Salem Baptist Church, 2741 Woodland Ave, Abington, PA 19001. Dr. Watts is survived by her family members, Mark and Robin Watts.

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To Report A Death

Almanac appreciates being informed of the deaths of current and former faculty and staff members, students and other members of the University community. Call (215) 898-5274 or email almanac@upenn.edu

The University of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees held their fall meetings on November 2-3. The stated meeting began with chair Scott Bok addressing letters calling for his resignation. After polling current Trustees, none wished to pursue the proposal to replace him as board chair.

After the invocation from Charles Howard, University Chaplain and Vice President For Social Equity and Community, two memorial resolutions were presented by Mr. Bok—for Robert I. Toll, L’66, and A. Bruce Mainwaring, W’47, both former Trustees. A resolution was approved to amend of the bylaws of Penn Medicine.

During the President’s report, President Liz Magill addressed the difficult events in the world and in the Penn community. She expressed her horror at the resurgence of antisemitism and Islamophobia campus and beyond, and said her plan to combat such hatred was announced Wednesday (see page 1). She expressed her belief in Penn, its people, and its noble missions.

During the academic report, Provost John Jackson reiterated the commitment to addressing this difficult moment and made assurances that the University is addressing the challenges on numerous fronts. He presented the resolution on faculty appointments and promotions, which was approved.

During the financial report, Senior Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli said for the three months that ended September 30, 2023, Penn’s total net assets were $29.7 billion, an increase of $1.2 billion over last year. For the academic component, the change in net assets from operations reflected a $50 million increase versus a $150 million increase last year. For the health system, the change in net assets from operations reflected an increase of $58 million. Operating revenue increased $173 million.

The Trustees then heard the Penn Medicine report and the committee reports. The following resolutions were authorized:

• Stuart Weitzman Hall additional early procurement packages of $13.15 million—for a total revised budget of $22.3 million.
• A new ten-year lease for the Provost’s Center for Penn Global, University Life and Career Services at 3935 Walnut Street, for $16.291 million (inclusive of $7.7 million in capital)
• Early procurement for the student performing arts center for an additional $6 million (a total revised budget of $11.88 million)
• Vance Hall and Huntsman Hall MBA program and career management renovations for $9.512 million
• Ten appointments to the Penn Medicine board and other Penn-wide advisory boards
• Appreciation for Connie K. Duckworth
• Appreciation for Perry Golkin and Designation as Trustee Emeritus
• To elect Brett Barth, George K.L. Hongchoy, and Catherine M. Lyons as Term Trustees
• To elect Ramanan Raghavendran as Charter Trustee

The following is published in accordance with the Faculty Senate Rules. Among other purposes, the publication of SEC actions is intended to stimulate discussion among the constituencies and their representatives. Please communicate your comments to 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 Actions

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Report from the Tri-Chairs. Faculty Senate Chair Tulia Falleti invited nominations for the 2024 Senate Nominating Committee: three members of SEC and three members not from SEC are sought in accordance with Section 9.C. of the Faculty Senate Rules. Professor Falleti also announced a preliminary visit as part of Penn’s reaccreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education by the chair of the external evaluation team and president of Brown University, Christina Paxson. President Paxson will participate in two open forums (one for faculty and staff and one for students) on November 6.

Update from the Office of the Provost. Provost John Jackson, Jr. invited conversation about supporting faculty, students, staff, alumni, and parents about the “current moment,” referring to unrest both locally and globally. He said that Penn leaders have been working around the clock to ensure continued physical safety of community members and the emotional safety of the community. Resources from the Penn Police and Public Safety, from Wellness At Penn, from the Office of the Chaplain, and from many other campus offices are offering support for any community member who needs it. He emphasized with appreciation the important role that Penn’s staff have been playing in providing that support.  

Moderated Internal Discussion. SEC members responded to the following discussion: “What do you think the Faculty Senate Executive Committee should do to help promote constructive dialogue and a safe learning environment?”

Penn embraces innovations like generative artificial intelligence (AI) models in teaching, learning, research, and the effective stewardship of Penn’s resources.  To this end, this document provides guidelines for members of the Penn community who are using, or interested in using, AI in pursuit of Penn’s mission.

This document is scoped to generative AI, using large language models provided by third parties. Generative AI describes algorithms, such as ChatGPT and other large language models, that can be used to create new content, including text, code, and simulations.

This statement is not intended as legal advice or an exhaustive set of best practices and should not be viewed as a final policy. The AI field is rapidly evolving in terms of technology, deployment models, third-party relationships, terms of service, regulatory landscape, and academic-industry partnership structures. It is anticipated that this document will be updated regularly and interact with other sources of policy, ethics, and governing legal authority.

General Guidance for Penn Community (Educators, Staff, Researchers, and Students)

Transparency. Be transparent about the use of AI. Disclose when a work product was created wholly or partially using an AI tool and, if appropriate, how AI was used to create the work product.

Accountability. The user of AI should endeavor to validate the accuracy of created content with trusted first-party sources and monitor the reliability of that content. Users are accountable for their use of content created by AI and should be wary of misinformation or “hallucinations” by AI tools (e.g., citations to publications or source materials that do not exist or references that otherwise distort the truth).

Bias. When using AI, keep in mind that these tools are often trained on large, unmoderated bodies of text, such as text posted to the internet. This can result in the production of biased and other unintended content. The ability to avoid such biased content is still in the early stages of development.

Privacy & Contracts. Most AI tools and services use input and data from users of the tool to train the model. Additionally, existing tools may incorporate AI features in their service offerings. For this reason, users of AI should avoid sharing personal or sensitive data with the tool and should not input moderate or high-risk Penn data, as defined by the Penn Data Risk Classification, or intellectual property, without: careful consideration and understanding of the tool’s use of Penn data and the service provider’s stated rights to the data, including, but not limited to whether the service provider offers the option to opt-out of using customer’s data to train the AI; a contract in place to protect Penn data; and review by Penn’s Privacy Office and consultation with the Office of Information Security as coordinated by Procurement when moderate or high-risk data is involved. Consultation with the Penn Center for Innovation, where intellectual property is involved.

Patient Privacy Protection. It is not permissible under the Health Information Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) or Penn Medicine policy to share patient or research participant information in connection with open or public AI tools and services, such as ChatGPT. This is because, as currently configured, such open or public tools and services can use and share any data without regard to HIPAA restrictions and other protections. Therefore, individual patient data and patient data sets (even if de-identified) may not be exposed to open or public AI tools or services, absent institutional approval.  

Security. When using AI to write computer code or when creating new technology that leverages AI, it is important to be aware of the new kinds of cyberattacks that are being used against AI users.  Review the Office of Information Security guidance on these risks or consult with the Office of Information Security if in doubt.

Data Scraping. The rise of AI models has led to a significant increase in individuals and organizations scraping (i.e., copying) information posted on the internet for the purpose of training new AI models.  Be aware that any data posted publicly will likely be scraped and used in this way by third parties.  Similarly, while these practices are common, their legality and the potential consequences of these actions are currently being developed but remain unresolved at the time this guidance was issued.

Intellectual Property. Members of the Penn community should adhere to established principles of respect for intellectual property (IP), particularly copyrights when considering the creation of new data sets for training AI models.  Avoid uploading confidential and/or proprietary information to AI platforms prior to seeking patent or copyright protection, as doing so could jeopardize IP rights.

University Business Processes. While automating tasks using AI may improve operational efficiency for University business processes, oversight and review of the use of AI and verification of its outputs for these University business processes should be in place to ensure reliability, consistency, and accuracy.

For more information, including additional guidance for educators, students, and researchers, as well as FAQs for AI guidance, visit https://www.isc.upenn.edu/security/AI-guidance.

—Information Systems & Computing

The Principles of Responsible Conduct promote the highest standards of integrity and ethics at Penn. To remind the Penn community of the basic expectations that should guide our work at Penn, the Principles of Responsible Conduct are published annually and are found below. Everyone at Penn is expected to be familiar with and adhere to the Principles of Responsible Conduct, which can be found on the Office of Audit, Compliance and Privacy website at: https://oacp.upenn.edu/oacp-principles/. Information on how to access the Principles of Responsible Conduct online training modules is provided at the end of the article.

The mission of the University of Pennsylvania and its Health System is to offer a world-class education to our students, train future leaders, expand and advance research and knowledge, serve our community and society both at home and abroad, and provide the most expert and outstanding health care for our patients. In pursuing this mission, and to ensure the continued excellence of the University and its reputation, all members of the University community need to understand and uphold both legal requirements and the highest ethical standards.

In the following Principles of Responsible Conduct, we articulate the basic expectations that should guide each of us in our work at Penn. These principles are embedded within many policies and practices identified throughout University and Health System handbooks, manuals, websites, and other materials. We have endeavored to distill these policies, rules, and guidelines for easy review and access. The principles are not intended to be a comprehensive catalog of all applicable rules and policies of the University and the Health System. Rather, these principles set forth the underlying expectations that we have for the conduct of University and Health System activities with the highest standards of integrity and ethics. Useful references to relevant policies and resources are included.

We urge you to read these principles closely and familiarize yourself with both the expectations and the resources provided.

—M. Elizabeth Magill, President

—John L. Jackson, Jr., Provost

—Craig Carnaroli, Senior Executive Vice President

—J. Larry Jameson, Executive Vice President of the University for the Health System and Dean of the Perelman School of Medicine

Penn has many policies that govern the behavior of all Penn faculty, administration, and staff. The ethical expectations contained in these policies are highlighted in the text of the ten principles that follow, and supporting policies, statements, and guidelines are available for each at the corresponding web link.

Principles of Responsible Conduct

Ethical and Responsible Conduct. Penn’s faculty, administration, and staff should conduct themselves ethically, with the highest integrity, and in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and University policies, in all aspects of their work. They should be fair and principled in University and Health System business transactions and other related professional activities, acting in good faith when dealing with both internal constituents and external entities. Their conduct should always reflect their positions of trust and loyalty with respect to the University, the Health System, and members of these communities. https://oacp.upenn.edu/oacp-principles/ethical-and-responsible-conduct

Respect for Others in the Workplace. Penn recognizes that people are the most important resource for achieving eminence in accomplishing our mission in the areas of teaching, research, community service, and patient care. Penn is an institution that values academic freedom, diversity, and respect for one another. Penn is committed to the principle of non-discrimination and does not tolerate conduct that constitutes harassment on any basis, including sexual, racial, ethnic, religious, or gender harassment. https://oacp.upenn.edu/oacp-principles/respect-for-others-in-the-work- place/

Avoidance of Conflict of Interest. As more fully stated in Penn’s conflict of interest policies, Penn’s faculty, administration, and staff should avoid conflicts of interest in work at Penn. As a non-profit institution, it is imperative, for both legal and ethical reasons, that University and Health System employees do not improperly benefit from their positions of trust at Penn. Financial conflicts must be appropriately disclosed in accordance with conflict of interest and conflict of commitment policies so that they can be reviewed, and as appropriate, managed, or eliminated. Faculty, administrators, and staff are responsible for identifying potential conflicts and seeking appropriate guidance. https://oacp.upenn.edu/oacp-principles/avoidance-of-conflict-of-interest/

Responsible Conduct in Research. As members of a complex research university, Penn faculty, administrators, and staff have significant responsibility to ensure that research is conducted with the highest integrity, and in compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, as well as University and Health System policy. https://oacp.upenn.edu/oacp-principles/responsible-conduct-in-research/

Responsible Stewardship and Use of Penn Property, Funds, and Technology. Penn faculty, administration, and staff are expected to ensure that Penn property, funds, and technology are used appropriately to benefit the institution, consistent with all legal requirements as well as University and Health System policies. https://oacp.upenn.edu/oacp-principles/responsible-stewardship-and-use- of-penn-property-funds-and-technology/

Environmental Health and Safety. Penn is committed to the protection of the health and safety of the University community and the creation of a safe working environment. To accomplish this end, Penn provides training in health and safety regulation and policy, and Penn faculty, administration, and staff are expected to comply with sound practices and legal requirements. https://oacp.upenn.edu/oacp-principles/environmental-health-and-safety/

Respect for Privacy and Confidentiality. In their various roles and positions at Penn, faculty, administration, and staff become aware of confidential information of many different types. Such information may relate to students, employees, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, research sponsors, licensing partners, patients, and others. Penn faculty, administration, and staff are expected to inform themselves about applicable legal, contractual, and policy obligations to maintain the confidentiality of such information, so as to protect it from improper disclosure, and to protect the privacy interests of members of our community. https://oacp.upenn.edu/oacp-principles/respect-for-privacy-and-confidentiality/

Appropriate Conduct with Respect to Gifts, Travel, and Entertainment. Penn faculty, administration, and staff are expected to conduct themselves so as to ensure that their positions are not misused for private gain, with respect to the acceptance of gifts and the undertaking of university-related travel and entertainment. https://oacp.upenn.edu/oacp-principles/appropriate-conduct-with-respect- to-gifts-travel-and-entertainment/

Appropriate Use of the University Name and Logos. Penn regulates the use of its name, its shield, and related trademarks and logos in order to protect the University’s reputation, and to ensure that their use is related to the University’s educational, research, community service, and patient care missions. Faculty, administration, and staff are expected to protect the University name and logos from improper use. https://oacp.upenn.edu/oacp-principles/appropriate-use-of-the-university- name-and-logos/

Responsible Reporting of Suspected Violations and Institutional Response. Penn faculty, administration, and staff are expected to report suspected material violations of University and Health System policies, as well as violations of applicable laws and regulations, including laws requiring the reporting of sexual abuse involving minors, to appropriate offices, as set forth in the various policies. Penn faculty, administration, and staff may be subject to discipline in accordance with the policies. https://oacp.upenn.edu/oacp-principles/responsible-reporting-of-suspected- violations-and-institutional-response/

If you have questions or concerns about possible violations of policies or legal requirements, employees may contact the (215) P-COMPLY Confidential Reporting and Help Line. The (215) P-COMPLY Confidential Reporting and Help Line is available to all employees by calling (215) P-COMPLY or logging onto www.upenn.edu/215pcomply.

Principles of Responsible Conduct training videos for Penn employees are also available and may be accessed through the Workday catalog or by using the links below:

• Principles of Responsible Conduct Training Video (https://oacp. upenn.edu/compliance-training-videos/)

• Conflicts of Interest Training Video (https://oacp.upenn.edu/compli- ance-training-videos/)

• Stewardship Training Video (https://oacp.upenn.edu/compliance- training-videos/)

In addition, printed versions of the Principles of Responsible Conduct are available for Penn employees. If you are interested in obtaining the brochure or have questions about accessing the online training, please contact Linda E. Yoder, Deputy Institutional Compliance Officer, at (215) 573-3347 or elyoder@upenn.edu.

The following faculty members will receive this year’s Perelman School of Medicine Awards of Excellence. I take great pride in announcing this year’s recipients, each of whom was chosen by a committee of distinguished faculty from the Perelman School of Medicine. The awardees exemplify our profession’s highest values and epitomize the preeminence we all strive to achieve. Please join me in extending our sincere congratulations to the following 2023 award recipients.

—J. Larry Jameson, Executive Vice President of the University of Pennsylvania for the Health System and Dean of Perelman School of Medicine

Clinical Awards

The Louis Duhring Outstanding Clinical Specialist Award goes to Joshua M. Levine, professor of neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The Duhring Award recognizes a clinical specialist physician who blends biomedical science, recent advances in clinical research, and insight to provide cutting-edge services to patients and colleagues. The awardee is able to apply clinical knowledge innovatively and creatively and maintains a commitment to patients that goes beyond the norm and exemplifies Penn Medicine’s goal for clinical care and professionalism.

Dr. Levine is a dedicated and collaborative member of critical care, neurology, and neurocritical care faculties. He founded and developed the Neurocritical Care Program at Penn, which focuses on severe acute injuries to the central and peripheral nervous system. His work has helped to pioneer and establish innovative, cutting-edge technologies to improve patient outcomes at Penn and throughout the world.

The Sylvan Eisman Outstanding Primary Care Physician Award goes to Mary Beth Fabio, a clinical associate professor of pediatrics in general pediatrics. The Eisman Award recognizes a physician in family or general internal medicine, general pediatrics, or obstetrics/gynecology who strives for continuous improvement and the highest quality of practice while maintaining a commitment to patients that goes beyond the norm and exemplifies the Penn Medicine goals for clinical care, professionalism, and standards for excellence.

Dr. Fabio is the co-founder of the CHOP Refugee Health Program and a medical advocate for the Reach Out and Read program at the Karabots Pediatric Care Center. She is an exemplary pediatrician and patient advocate, dedicated to the children and families she serves.

The Luigi Mastroianni, Jr. Clinical Innovator Award goes to David W. Oslin, a professor of psychiatry, and Matthew J. Press, an associate professor of medicine in general internal medicine. The Mastroianni Award recognizes a physician who has made significant contributions toward the invention and development of new techniques, approaches, procedures, or devices that change medical practice and are of major benefit to patient care.

Dr. Oslin is one of the leading mental health services scientists in the country, and has centered his career on investigating the most pressing questions regarding access and quality of mental health care. Dr. Press is a leader in the field of mental health; his major contributions include integrating mental health care into primary care through his research, clinical innovation, and policy-making. Together with an interdisciplinary team of mental health professionals, Drs. Oslin and Press developed the Penn Integrated Care (PIC) integrated behavioral health program, which has helped more than 21,000 patients find and participate in mental health care.

The Alfred Stengel Health System Champion Award goes to William D. Schweickert, a professor of clinical medicine in pulmonary, allergy and critical care. The Stengel Award recognizes a physician who has made significant contributions toward the clinical integration and efficiency of the University of Pennsylvania Health System and demonstrated commitment to the improvement of quality care.

Dr. Schweickert is an exceptional clinical operations leader, critical care clinician, educator, and mentor who has led multiple health system initiatives focused on patient safety and quality, as well as patient progression. As a standout clinical leader during the COVID-19 pandemic, he transformed these lessons into durable contributions that have extended beyond HUP and helped to integrate the health system and professional groups.

Mentoring/Professionalism Awards

The Arthur K. Asbury Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award goes to Babette S. Zemel, a research professor of pediatrics in gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition. This award recognizes a faculty member who has fostered the professional development of other faculty by providing inspiring and effective counsel in a manner that enables professional growth and development.

Dr. Zemel is recognized worldwide as an expert in pediatric bone health. Her expertise in childhood nutrition and its role in pediatric health and disease has attracted trainees across a wide range of disciplines. Her world-class mentorship track record includes a long list of successful trainees, and much of their success is due to her selfless and empathic style of mentorship.

The Duncan Van Dusen Professionalism Award for Faculty goes to Julie Uspal, an associate professor of emergency medicine. This award recognizes a faculty member whose respectful approach, integrity, self-awareness, and personal accountability are sterling examples of the ongoing improvement of the work culture at Penn and for the promotion of exceptional patient care experiences.

An an emergency physician, Dr. Uspal demonstrates exemplary professionalism in her clinical and administrative roles. As director of quality and safety, she consistently models professionalism in enhancing the safety and service optimization of the patient experience.

Research Awards

The Marjorie A. Bowman New Investigator Research Award goes to Jordana B. Cohen, an associate professor of medicine in renal-electrolyte & hypertension. This award recognizes achievements in the health evaluation sciences, with a particular emphasis on patient-oriented research that addresses fundamental clinical problems as well as the organization and delivery of health care.

Dr. Cohen’s outstanding contributions to patient-oriented research and health care organizations in the field of health evaluation sciences, particularly in hypertension, have significantly influenced global patient care. Her innovative research, leadership, and ability to tackle impactful questions with advanced analytical techniques position her as a leading figure in the field, poised for further impactful contributions.

The Michael S. Brown New Investigator Research Award goes to Christoph A. Thaiss, an assistant professor of microbiology. Established in honor of Nobel Laureate Michael S. Brown, a 1966 Penn School of Medicine alumnus, the award recognizes emerging faculty investigators engaged in innovative discoveries.

Dr. Thaiss has emerged as a leading figure in microbiome research, making significant contributions by uncovering novel connections between environmental and lifestyle factors and common human diseases, particularly focusing on the microbiome’s intricate role in these dynamics. His extensive research efforts have garnered international acclaim and received substantial attention from the global media.

The Stanley N. Cohen Biomedical Research Award goes to Sarah A. Tishkoff, David and Lyn Silfen University Professor in the departments of genetics and biology. This award was established in honor of Stanley N. Cohen, a 1960 Penn School of Medicine alumnus whose contributions launched a new era in biological research technology. The award recognizes achievement in the broad field of biomedical research.

Dr. Tishkoff is a leader in the field of biomedical research, with significant contributions to the field of human population genetics. Her pioneering work has shed light on human population history, adaptation, and genetic factors influencing various traits, while her mentorship efforts and advocacy for the inclusion of ethnically diverse populations in genomics research have left an indelible mark on the scientific community.

The Dean’s Distinguished Award goes to Katalin Karikó, an adjunct professor of neurosurgery, and Drew Weissman, the Roberts Family Professor in Vaccine Research. This award recognizes an exceptional individual or collaborative team whose relentless pursuit of scientific excellence has resulted in a paradigm-shifting discovery that has indelibly transformed the global landscape of health care and scientific understanding.

Nobel Prize Laureates Drs. Weissman and Karikó have pioneered research that has rewritten the annals of medical science and history. Their unwavering dedication to mRNA-based therapies has not only saved countless lives during the COVID-19 pandemic but has also unveiled a new frontier in medicine, offering hope for treating a wide spectrum of diseases, from cancer to genetic disorders.

The Samuel Martin Health Evaluation Sciences Research Award goes to Alexander G. Fiks, professor of pediatrics in general pediatrics. Established in 1996 to honor the late Samuel P. Martin, III, executive director of the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics and chair of the Health Care Systems Unit of the Wharton School, this award is granted to a member of the Perelman School of Medicine faculty for a body of work with an emphasis on health services research.

Dr. Fiks has devoted his research career to better understanding and improving the performance of primary care pediatric services and improving outcomes for children. His work has not only advanced pediatric knowledge and practice by promoting judicious antibiotic prescribing and improving immunization rates, for example, but his leadership in coordinating large-scale group and network projects has also had a significant impact in the field.

The William Osler Patient Oriented Research Award goes to Christina A. Roberto, the Mitchell J. Blutt and Margo Krody Blutt Presidential Associate Professor of Health Policy. Established in 1996 to honor Dr. Osler, a “Father of Clinical Medicine” who, in the 1880’s at the School of Medicine, revolutionized clinical teaching research, this award recognizes achievement for research in which an investigator directly interacts with human subjects.

Dr. Roberto is an international expert in food policies and food systems whose research has made significant contributions to human-subject research in behavioral science, particularly in the context of nutrition and public health. Her interdisciplinary work makes important scientific contributions while also informing real-world policy and public health initiatives.

Teaching Awards

The Leonard Berwick Memorial Teaching Award goes to Rebecca Ganetzky, an assistant professor of pediatrics in human genetics. This award was established in 1981 as a memorial to Leonard Berwick by his family and the department of pathology. It recognizes “a member of the medical faculty who in his or her teaching effectively fuses basic science and clinical medicine.” It is intended that this award recognizes persons who are outstanding teachers, particularly among younger faculty.

Dr. Ganetzky’s studies improved biochemical approaches to make the diagnosis of inherited mitochondrial and metabolic diseases. As fellowship director of the medical and clinical biochemical genetics fellowships, she is passionate about teaching genetics and biochemistry at all levels, from undergraduate students through biochemical genetics fellows, in a way that is accessible for learners of all backgrounds.

The Robert Dunning Dripps Memorial Award for Excellence in Graduate Medical Education goes to Catherine R. Salva, an associate professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology. This award was established by the department of anesthesia in 1984. As a pioneer in the specialty of anesthesia and chair of the department from 1943 to 1972, Dr. Dripps was instrumental in the training of more than 300 residents and fellows, many of whom went on to chair other departments. This award recognizes excellence as an educator of residents and fellows in clinical care, research, teaching, or administration.

Dr. Salva has made significant contributions to medical education at the University of Pennsylvania, notably as the residency program director, overseeing the expansion of the program and actively participating in clinical practice in obstetrics and gynecology. Her extensive experience and leadership in resident education have left a lasting and positive impact on students and faculty, alike.

The Jane M. Glick Graduate Student Teaching Award goes to Kiran Musunuru, a professor of medicine in cardiovascular medicine. This award was established in 2009 by the Glick family in remembrance of Jane Glick and her dedication to the Biomedical Graduate Studies (BGS) programs.

Dr. Musunuru’s expertise in the genetics of heart disease has significantly enriched the academic and research environment at the University of Pennsylvania. His commitment to advancing scientific understanding, coupled with his numerous accolades and leadership roles within the medical and genetics community, have made Dr. Musunuru an asset to the BGS programs and a source of inspiration for students.

The Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching goes to Victor A. Ferrari, a professor of medicine in cardiovascular medicine, and Tejvir S. Khurana, a professor of physiology. This award was established in 1961 with the help of the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation to recognize excellence in teaching. Awards are granted each year for distinguished teaching in health and non-health areas.

The receipt of their respective Lindback Awards is a testament to Drs. Ferrari and Khurana’s exceptional dedication to education, and their profound influence on students’ intellectual and personal growth. Their recognition signifies their outstanding teaching abilities, as well as their enduring commitment to fostering a vibrant and inspiring learning environment within the Penn community.

César de la Fuente, a Presidential Assistant Professor in the departments of bioengineering, psychiatry, microbiology, and chemical and biomolecular engineering of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Perelman School of Medicine, has been selected as a 2023 Emerging Leaders in Health and Medicine (ELHM) Scholar by the National Academy of Medicine (NAM). Dr. de la Fuente works to combine human and machine intelligence to accelerate scientific discovery and develop useful tools and life-saving medicines.

NAM, founded in 1970, is an independent organization of professionals that advises the entire scientific community on critical health care issues. Each year, NAM chooses up to 10 new ELHM Scholars who are early-to-mid-career professionals from a wide range of health-related fields, including biomedical engineering, internal medicine, psychiatry, radiology and journalism to serve a three-year term.

“We are delighted that Dr. de la Fuente is receiving recognition from the National Academy of Medicine for his breakthrough contributions and exceptional leadership in the life sciences,” said Vijay Kumar, the Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn Engineering. “His pioneering work using computers to accelerate antibiotic discovery is extraordinary. We proudly celebrate his selection as part of this outstanding group of scholars.”

The Emerging Leaders program facilitates opportunities for mentorship, collaboration and innovation among the participants, NAM members, and experts across sectors. The Emerging Leaders Forum, to be held in Washington, D.C., in April 2024, will provide an opportunity for the new group of scholars and invited participants to share their activities and insights on cutting-edge developments through collaborative work and interdisciplinary discussions among the nation’s rising leaders in health and medicine.

“I am thrilled to welcome this next generation of leading health professionals and scientists into the National Academy of Medicine’s Emerging Leaders in Health and Medicine program,” said NAM President Victor J. Dzau. “I look forward to their contributions to our activities to address pressing challenges and help shape the future of science, medicine, and health equity in this nation.”

Penn Dental Medicine’s Morton Amsterdam Dean, Mark Wolff, is among the 2023 cohort of inductees to the International College of Dentists (ICD) USA Section, the honorary dental organization committed to improving global oral health. The induction ceremony took place as part of the ICD USA Section Annual Meeting, Convocation & Welcome Celebration, held from October 3-6 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

The USA Section of the ICD recognizes and promotes excellence in leadership with an emphasis on service, addresses oral health needs and education throughout the United States and the world, and fosters an atmosphere of collaboration.

As part of the meeting, Penn Dental Medicine alumnus Frank Serio, D’80, was also honored for his mission work in the Dominican Republic with the ICD Distinguished Humanitarian Award, presented annually to an ICD USA Section fellow who has demonstrated an extraordinary dedication and commitment to serving those in need. 

One of the highlights of the landmark Weitzman School of Design exhibition Building in China: A Century of Dialogues on Modern Architecture, now on view at the Penn Wharton China Center through January 15, 2024, is a 15-foot-long panel featuring 23 students in Penn’s architecture program between 1918 and 1941. A series of black and white portraits accompanied by their degrees and years of study documents the first generation of Chinese students at Penn, who would go on to shape a new movement of architecture and urban design practice and education in their homeland. In the middle of the panel is Lin Huiyin, the only woman among the students. She was also the only one in the group who was not awarded an architecture degree upon completion of her coursework.

Until now. At the May 18, 2024, Weitzman Commencement Ceremony, the school will award Ms. Lin, arguably the first and most famous female architect in modern China, with a long overdue posthumous Bachelor of Architecture degree.

Like her peers, among them Liang Sicheng, the gifted Chinese student who would become her husband and longtime collaborator, Ms. Lin came to Penn in 1924 to study under Paul Philippe Cret, the renowned professor of design who led the school’s Beaux Arts-based architecture program. Building in China, co-curated by Lin Zhongjie, an associate professor of city and regional planning at Weitzman, along with Chinese architect Tong Ming, a professor at Southeast University and principal at Studio TM, and Chinese architecture scholar Li Xiangning, dean of the College of Architecture and Urban Planning and professor at Tongji University, celebrates the legacy and impact of the Chinese-born architecture students enrolled at Penn in the first half of the twentieth century. Collectively, these students went on to open the practices and schools of architecture that shaped the nation’s rapidly developing cities and towns for decades—earning the moniker “the first generation of modern Chinese architects.” As originally presented in Philadelphia in 2022, the exhibition examined not just the intercultural dialogues on modern architecture between China and the U.S. over the past hundred years but also how these developments influenced a new generation of progressive contemporary firms practicing in China today.

Building in China follows two decades of research by Weitzman faculty members and curators that has explored the exchanges of modern architecture and urban culture between China and the West, with a focus on the relationship between China’s modern architecture and Penn.

One revelation of that research was that Ms. Lin, who enrolled in the bachelor of fine arts program, also completed most of the coursework required for a bachelor of architecture degree—the exceptions include a drawing course that was not open to female students because the live models included men. Because the architecture program did not admit female students until 1934, the fine arts degree was the only option available to her. However, she participated in architecture studios and took courses in design theory, drawing and architectural history and was a teaching assistant in architectural design, often outperforming her male peers. (Ms. Lin’s academic record contains numerous grades of “D” for distinction.)

Although the School of Fine Arts, as Weitzman was known for most of the 20th century, began awarding “in faculty” degrees to women who studied architecture before 1934 just a few years later—including Georgina Pope Yeatman, the city of Philadelphia’s first female director of the department of architecture—Ms. Lin remained overlooked despite completing more required architecture coursework than her other female contemporaries.

“From the records, it was clear she wanted to be an architecture student and architect, and she was a very successful one at that. We looked into it more and more and it was clear the reason she wasn’t given a degree was because she was a woman,” said Weitzman dean and Paley Professor Fritz Steiner, who initiated a formal review in 2022. “It’s not right and this is an opportunity to correct that.”

In the decades following their return to China, Ms. Lin and Mr. Liang worked together to transform architectural history, education, and practice across the country, altering the course of twentieth-century design there. “When you come to America, everyone knows of Frank Lloyd Wright. When you go to China, everyone knows of Lin and Liang,” said Genie Birch, the Nussdorf Professor of Urban Research & Education and chair of the graduate group in the department of city & regional planning at Weitzman.

Throughout their work, Ms. Lin and Mr. Liang married a deep reverence for millennia of Chinese architectural and cultural traditions with international modernist movements. Their efforts to document and catalogue as-yet undeveloped field of Chinese architectural heritage dating back to antiquity facilitated the first systematic history of Chinese architecture. “If it weren’t for them, we would have no record of so many ancient Chinese styles,” the architect and artist Maya Lin—Lin Huiyin’s niece—told The New York Times. 

By establishing the departments of architecture at Northeastern University in Shenyang, China and Tsinghua University in Beijing, Ms. Lin and Mr. Liang influenced generations of practitioners as well as scholars. At both institutions, they were able to translate a design sensibility that shaped progressive, modernist movements like the Bauhaus into a new way of teaching in Asia that centered ateliers and design competitions. As Ms. Lin is quoted as telling The Philadelphia Public Ledger in a 1925 article, “We must learn the fundamental principles of all art only in order to apply them to designs distinctly ours.”

As inseparable as Ms. Lin and Mr. Liang’s names have become, those who knew her point out that she faced numerous hurdles that he did not, and she possessed numerous talents unique to her. It is not widely known, for example, that Ms. Lin’s father passed away as she was preparing to enter her final year of studies at Penn, raising the possibility she would have to return to China. And once she and Mr. Liang settled in Beijing and started a family, tradition dictated that she focus her energy on raising her children and managing the household, limiting her ability to write or travel for research.

Yet, even in the face of collective struggle, she did not relent. As Ms. Lin and Ms. Liang’s daughter, Liang Zaibing, has said, “My mother proved through her life that she was a great architect. Even during the toughest years of war, I heard my mother, who was critically ill in bed at the time, saying to my father Liang Sicheng over and over again ‘Don’t give up on our research!’”

In addition to her prodigious gifts for architecture, Ms. Lin has also been recognized as a cultural icon for her work as a poet and artist. And that broad-based creative orientation permeated her design ethos and affinity for architectural design. Of Ms. Lin’s continued relevance, William Whitaker, the curator of the Architectural Archives at Penn, said, “Lin was fearless in pursuing her artistic passions, and how she engaged with the world deserves great respect.”

Nearly a century since Ms. Lin arrived at Penn, her descendants continue to follow developments with her alma mater. Upon learning of the posthumous degree, family members have expressed a combination of pride, gratitude, and delight. 

“Lin has been a role model for our family, and, as her descendants, we admire and appreciate her fearlessness in pursuing her artistic passion and dreams,” said Yu Kui, Ms. Lin’s granddaughter. “We are encouraged and proud that she will receive such honors and recognition from her alma mater after a hundred years.”

Adapted from a Weitzman School of Design press release, October 15, 2023. 

Films

9          Resistance Through Pakistani Cinema Screenings & Discussion: Aurat Raj; gender roles are swapped in this banned feminist satire, offering a critique of patriarchal social norms; followed by conversation with Lollywood historian Omar Ali Khan; 2 p.m.; room 241, Van Pelt Library (Center for Global Collections; South Asia Studies; Cinema & Media Studies).

10        Resistance Through Pakistani Cinema Screenings & Discussion: Showgirls of Pakistan; confronted by prejudice, censorship, and misogyny, three mujra dancers go about their turbulent daily lives in this compelling documentary; followed by conversation with filmmaker Saad Khan; noon; room 241, Van Pelt Library (Center for Global Collections; South Asia Studies; Cinema & Media Studies).

Fitness & Learning

7          Graduate School Application Peer Editing Workshop; peer editing is a great way to strengthen your graduate school application and chat with others who are going through this same experience; join CURF for a peer editing workshop of your application materials (CV/resume, personal and diversity statements, etc.); 3:30 p.m.; room 242, Van Pelt Library (Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships). Also November 14 and 28.

8          Substance Use and Consent on a College Campus; Elise Scioscia, Penn Violence Prevention; Lauren Cordova, Wellness at Penn; Trainor Macrone, Wellness at Penn; 3 p.m.; Zoom webinar; register: https://tinyurl.com/nursing-talk-nov-8 (Penn Nursing).

Music

10        Teach Me What Love Is: Argentinian Love Songs; Gayoung Lee and Catching on Thieves lead an interactive performance dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding and unity; a karaoke session in which participants share a love song in their native language; noon; Institute of Contemporary Art; register: https://tinyurl.com/ica-argentinian-songs-nov-10 (Institute of Contemporary Art).

On Stage

Penn Live Arts

In-person events. Info and tickets: https://pennlivearts.org/events/.

9          Stimulus Children’s Theatre: Newsies; set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies”; when titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's right; 8 p.m.; Harold Prince Theatre, Annenberg Center; tickets: $5-10. Also November 10, 6 p.m.; November 11, 2 p.m.

Readings & Signings

13        Book Launch: Performative Opacity in the Work of Isabelle Huppert; Iggy Cortez, University of California, Berkeley; Ian Fleishman, cinema & media studies; 6 p.m.; Slought (Cinema & Media Studies, Francophone, Italian, & Germanic Studies).

Kelly Writers House

Unless noted, hybrid events at Arts Café, Kelly Writers House and YouTube livestream. Info and to register: https://writing.upenn.edu/wh/calendar/1123.php.

9          This Book is Banned; Raj Haldar, author; 6 p.m.

Talks

7          Advancing the Versatility of Legged Robots and Assistive Devices; Patrick Wensing, University of Notre Dame; 10 a.m.; Wu & Chen Auditorium, Levine Hall (Mechanical Engineering & Applied Mechanics).

8          The Future of Algorithm Auditing is Sociotechnical; Danaë Metaxa, computer & information science; noon; room 307, Levine Hall (ASSET Center).

            The Importance of the U.S. Solicitor General; Jonathan Ellis, U.S. Solicitor General; noon; room 280, Silverman Hall; register: https://tinyurl.com/ellis-talk-nov-8 (Federalist Society).

            Russian Policy Towards Belarus after 2020: At a Turning Point? Ryhor Nizhnikau, Finnish Institute of International Affairs; 3:30 p.m.; auditorium, Fagin Hall (Russian & East European Studies).

            “Cimarronando / Marooning!” Palenquera Women and Fugitive Self-Making in the Colombian Caribbean; Amber M. Henry, University of Virginia; 5 p.m.; room 543, Williams Hall (Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies).

            In Conversation About When the Children Come Home; David Antonio Cruz, artist; Monique Long, ICA curator; 6 p.m.; Institute of Contemporary Art; register: https://tinyurl.com/cruz-long-nov-8 (Institute of Contemporary Art).

9          Approximate Symmetries in Machine Learning; Soledad Villar, Johns Hopkins University; 11 a.m.; Glandt Forum, Singh Center for Nanotechnology (Electrical & Systems Engineering).

            Indoor Air Phthalates and Volatile Organic Compounds in NY Nail Salons; Inkyu Han, Temple University; 11 a.m.; Zoom webinar; register: https://tinyurl.com/han-talk-nov-9 (Philadelphia Regional Center for Children's Environmental Health).

            Coral Reef Survival in the Climate Crisis; Katie Barott, biology; noon; Café 58, Irvine Auditorium (Knowledge By the Slice).

            Blood Novels; Julia Chang, Cornell University; 5 p.m.; room 543, Williams Hall (Spanish & Portuguese).

            Coming Home: Compensation and Care for the Exonerated; Joanna McClinton, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives; Herman Lindsay, Witness to Innocence; Marissa Bluestine, Quattrone Center; Chester Holman, exoneree; 6 p.m.; room 240B, Silverman Hall; register: https://tinyurl.com/carey-talk-nov-9 (Carey Law School).

            Weitzman Fall 2023 Visiting Artist Lecture Series; Nicole Cherubini, visual artist and sculptor; 6 p.m.; Institute of Contemporary Art; register: https://tinyurl.com/cherubini-talk-nov-9 (Institute of Contemporary Art).

10        Evaluation and Calibration of AI Models with Uncertain Ground Truth; David Stutz, Google DeepMind; 10 a.m.; Zoom webinar; join: https://upenn.zoom.us/j/96715197752 (PRECISE Center).

            Conserving Mud: Learning from Local Practices; Divay Gupta, historic preservation; noon; Center for Architectural Conservation, 4201 Locust Street; register: https://tinyurl.com/gupta-talk-nov-10 (Historic Preservation).

13        Private Cities in the Developing World: Has Their Time Come?; panel of speakers; noon; Zoom webinar; register: https://tinyurl.com/iur-talk-nov-13 (Penn Institute for Urban Research).

            Wearable Acoustic and Vibration Sensing and Machine Learning for Human Health and Performance; Omer Inan, Georgia College of Technology; 1 p.m.; room 307, Levine Hall (PRECISE Center).

            Harnessing Multiscale Models to Understand Dilated Cardiomyopathy Thin Filament Mutations; Michael J. Greenberg, Washington University; 3 p.m.; Austrian Auditorium, CRB (Pennsylvania Muscle Institute).

            Development of Late Transition Metal Catalysts for Olefin Polymerizations; Maurice Brookhart, University of Houston; 4 p.m.; Carolyn Hoff Lynch Lecture Hall, Chemistry Complex (Physics & Astronomy).

            Generative AI and the Courts; Scott Schlegel, Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal; 5 p.m.; room 147, Silverman Hall; register: https://tinyurl.com/schlegel-talk-nov-13 (Carey Law School).

14        Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia with Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: A Case Study in Multi-Disciplinary Translational Biomedical Research; Robert Ivkov, Johns Hopkins University; 10 a.m.; Wu & Chen Auditorium, Levine Hall (Mechanical Engineering & Applied Mechanics).

            Excitations Dynamics Driving Electronic Correlations in Molecules and Solids; Vojtech Vlcek, University of California, Santa Barbara; noon; Carolyn Hoff Lynch Lecture Hall, Chemistry Complex (Physics & Astronomy).

            Lost Subjects and Recovered Objects in H. G. Adler’s Holocaust Museum; Samuel Spinner, Johns Hopkins University; 5:15 p.m.; room 543, Williams Hall (Germanic Languages & Literatures).

Economics

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

8          Somewhere in Between? Cohabiting Couples and their Role in Tax Policy; Viola Garstenauer, Tu Wien; noon; room 101, PCPSE.

Sociology

Unless noted, in-person events at room 367, McNeil Building. Info: https://sociology.sas.upenn.edu/events.

8          Gender Inequality Beyond the Gender Binary; Joel Mittleman, University of Notre Dame; noon; room 403, McNeil Building.

9          Demographic Decomposition Workshop; Tim Riffe, University of the Basque County; 11:30 a.m.; PSC conference room, 5^th floor, McNeil Building.

10        Diverging Precarities? The Paradox of Increasing Job Stability in the 21st Century U.S. Workforce; Michael Lachanski, demography and sociology; noon.

This is an update to the November AT PENN calendar, which is available now. To submit events for a future AT PENN calendar or update, send the salient details to almanac@upenn.edu.

Division of Public Safety University of Pennsylvania Police Department Crime Report

About the Crime Report: Below are the Crimes Against Persons and/or Crimes Against Property from the campus report for October 23-29, 2023. The Crime Reports are available at: https://almanac.upenn.edu/sections/crimes. Prior weeks’ reports are also online. –Eds.

This summary is prepared by the Division of Public Safety (DPS) and contains all criminal incidents reported and made known to the Penn Police, including those reported to the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) that occurred within our patrol zone, for the dates of October 23-29, 2023. The Penn Police actively patrol from Market Street to Baltimore Avenue and from 30^th Street to 43^rd Street 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 DPS at (215) 898-7297. You may view the daily crime log on the DPS website.

Penn Police Patrol Zone
Market Street to Baltimore Avenue and from 30^th Street to 43^rd Street

Philadelphia Police 18th District
Schuylkill River to 49th Street & Market Street to Woodland Avenue

Below are the Crimes Against Persons from the 18th District: 5 incidents were reported for October 23-29, 2023 by the 18^th District, covering the Schuylkill River to 49th Street & Market Street to Woodland Avenue.

The Division of Public Safety offers resources and support to the Penn community. DPS developed a few helpful risk reduction strategies outlined below. Know that it is never the fault of the person impacted (victim/survivor) by crime.

• See something concerning? Connect with Penn Public Safety 24/7 at (215) 573-3333.
• Worried about a friend’s or colleague’s mental or physical health? Get 24/7 connection to appropriate resources at (215) 898-HELP (4357).
• Seeking support after experiencing a crime? Call Special Services (support and advocacy resources) at (215) 898-4481 or email an advocate at specialservices@publicsafety.upenn.edu.
• Use the Walking Escort and Riding services available to you free of charge.
• Take a moment to update your cellphone information for the UPennAlert Emergency Notification System.
• Download the Penn Guardian App which can help Police better find your location when you call in an emergency.
• Access free self-empowerment and defense courses through Penn DPS.
• Stay alert and reduce distractions. (Using cellphones, ear buds, etc. may limit your awareness.)
• Orient yourself to your surroundings. (Identify your location, nearby exits, etc.)
• Keep your valuables out of sight and only carry necessary documents.

Nominations for Penn’s University-wide teaching awards are now being accepted by the Office of the Provost. Any member of the University community—past or present—may nominate a teacher for these awards. There are three awards:

• The Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching honors eight members of the standing faculty: four in the non-health schools (Annenberg, Weitzman, SEAS, GSE, Carey Law, SAS, SP2, Wharton) and four in the health schools (Dental Medicine, PSOM, Nursing, Veterinary Medicine).
• The Provost’s Award for Distinguished PhD Teaching and Mentoring honors two faculty members for their teaching and mentoring of PhD students. Standing and associated faculty in any school offering a PhD program are eligible for the award.
• The Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence by Non-Standing Faculty honors two members of the associated faculty or academic support staff who teach at Penn, one in the non-health schools and one in the health schools.

The nomination forms are available on the Teaching Awards website. The deadline for nominations is Friday, December 1, 2023. Full nominations with complete dossiers prepared by the nominees’ department chairs are due Friday, February 2, 2024. For more information, please email Deputy-Provost@upenn.edu

Criteria and Guidelines

The Lindback and Provost’s Awards are given in recognition of distinguished teaching. “Distinguished teaching” is teaching that is intellectually demanding, unusually coherent, and permanent in its effect. The distinguished teacher has the capability of changing the way in which students view the subject they are studying. The distinguished teacher provides the basis for students to look with critical and informed perception at the fundamentals of a discipline and relates that discipline to other disciplines and to the worldview of the student. The distinguished teacher is accessible to students and open to new ideas, but also expresses their own views with an articulate and informed understanding of an academic field. The distinguished teacher is fair, free from prejudice, and single-minded in the pursuit of truth.

Skillful direction of dissertation students, effective supervision of student researchers, ability to organize a large course of many sections, skill in leading seminars, special talent with large classes, ability to handle discussions or structure lectures—these are all attributes of distinguished teaching, although it is unlikely that anyone will excel in all of them. At the same time, distinguished teaching means different things in different fields. While the distinguished teacher should be versatile, as much at home in large groups as in small, in beginning classes as in advanced, they may have skills of special importance in their area of specialization. The primary criteria for the Provost’s Award for Distinguished PhD Teaching and Mentoring are a record of successful doctoral student mentoring and placement, success in collaborating on doctoral committees and graduate groups, and distinguished research.

Since distinguished teaching is recognized and recorded in different ways, evaluation must also take several forms. It is not enough to look solely at letters of recommendation from students or to consider “objective” evaluations of particular classes in tabulated form. A faculty member’s influence extends beyond the classroom and individual classes. Nor is it enough to look only at a candidate’s most recent semester or opinions expressed immediately after a course is over; the influence of the best teachers lasts, while that of others may be great at first but lessens over time. It is not enough merely to gauge student adulation, for its basis is superficial; but neither should such feelings be discounted as unworthy of investigation. Rather, all these factors and more should enter into the identification and assessment of distinguished teaching.

The Lindback and Provost’s Awards have a symbolic importance that transcends the recognition of individual merit. They should be used to advance effective teaching by serving as reminders to the University community of the expectations for the quality of its mission.

Distinguished teaching occurs in all parts of the University.  Therefore, faculty members from all schools are eligible for consideration. An excellent teacher who does not receive an award in a given year may be re-nominated in some future year and receive the award then.

The Lindback and Provost’s Awards may recognize faculty members with many years of distinguished service or many years of service remaining. The teaching activities for which the awards are granted must be components of the degree programs of the University of Pennsylvania.

Provost John L. Jackson, Jr. and Deputy Provost Beth A. Winkelstein invite nominations and expressions of interest from standing faculty members to be faculty co-director of the new Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Innovation.

The new center, which officially opened on November 1, brings together the Online Learning Initiative and the Center for Teaching and Learning to advance Penn’s leadership in teaching excellence and innovation, lead Penn through an evolving educational landscape, further support for connecting pedagogy and technology, and address future opportunities in teaching and learning, especially at the intersection of pedagogy and technology. The center aims to:

• Enhance the quality, reach, and impact of a Penn education and the learning experiences of all Penn students and learners, across the wide range of both in-person and online education in all twelve schools
• Support instructors in all disciplines in realizing their teaching goals and developing as teachers
• Center teaching in discussions of new digital initiatives
• Expand the reach of programs to advance pedagogy and provide all Penn schools with better access to support for teaching, with or without technology

Peter Decherney, the Edmund J. and Louise W. Kahn Professor in the Humanities, has served since 2017 as faculty director of the Online Learning Initiative and will continue as faculty co-director of the new Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Innovation.

The center encourages applications from faculty members who have experience in teaching and learning, in person and/or online, and an interest in shaping the future of teaching across Penn’s Schools. Inquiries and nominations can be sent to Deputy Provost Beth A. Winkelstein at Deputy-Provost@upenn.edu by December 15, 2023.

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

On Tuesday, November 14, 2023, improvements to the Two-Step Verification user experience are coming with the release of Duo Universal Prompt. Duo Universal Prompt is a vendor-supplied Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) application that will replace Penn’s current custom Two-Step service for PennKey authentication. PennKey will integrate directly with Duo for a seamless user experience. Duo Universal Prompt provides a modern, secure, easy-to-use login interface and a simpler way to add and manage devices.

What to Expect

Current PennKey Two-Step Verification users do not have to re-download the Duo Mobile app or take any actions before rollout, but the following changes will occur upon rollout:

• Users will see the new Duo Universal Prompt UI instead of the current Penn custom interface during PennKey WebLogin.
• All existing “Trust this browser” sessions will expire.
  • All users will need to authenticate with Two-Step upon their first login after rollout.
  • Duo Universal Prompt will enforce a 60-day limit on trusted browsers.

• New login options will be supported – USB security keys and Touch ID (Apple).
• Some legacy Two-Step functions will be retired.
• The PennKey Login UI will also be refreshed and modernized; no functionality changes are expected.

Help & Resources

• Duo Universal Prompt project details
• PennKey Login UI Refresh project details
• Two-Step Verification help documentation (will be updated upon rollout)
• Two-Step Verification help contacts
• Penn’s Identity & Access Management (IAM) Program website

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.

Visit https://pennsway.upenn.edu for more information. Online participation must be completed by midnight on Sunday for inclusion in a given week’s drawing that Monday morning. Note: list subject to change.

Week Five–Drawing November 6

Neta Scientific: Amazon Gift Card, $25 value: Abigail Withers, HUP APPS
PDC Graphics: Oyster House Gift Card, $50 value: Laura Scalise, HUP Nursing
Benco Dental: Barnes & Noble Gift Card, $25 value: Megan Wachlin, Pennsylvania      Hospital
12th Street Catering: Gift Certificate for Lunch, $100 value: Barbara Delregino, Penn       Dental Medicine
Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art: Admission Passes (four), $72 value:       Christopher Lawson, Residential Services
BalletX at The Mann: Admission Passes (four) for April performances, $100 value:           Antoinette Thompson, Perelman School of Medicine
McKesson: Gift Card—Starbucks, $25 value: Jennifer Allegra, School of Nursing

Week Six–Drawing November 13

Neta Scientific: Amazon gift card, $25 value
Neta Scientific: Amazon gift card, $25 value
Benco Dental: Barnes & Noble gift card, $25 value
PDC Graphics: Mission Taqueria gift card, $50 value
Morris Arboretum: Family membership, $100 value
Penn Museum: Admission passes (two), $36 value