October 21, 2025 Volume 72 Issue 11

October 16, 2025

To the Penn community:

For 285 years, Penn has been anchored and guided by continuous self-improvement, using education as a ladder for opportunity, and advancing discoveries that serve our community, our nation, and the world.

Since receiving the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education on October 1, I have sought input from faculty, alumni, trustees, students, staff and others who care deeply about Penn. The goal was to ensure that our response reflected our values and the perspectives of our broad community.

Earlier today, I informed the U.S. Department of Education that Penn respectfully declines to sign the proposed compact. As requested, we also provided focused feedback highlighting areas of existing alignment as well as substantive concerns.

At Penn, we are committed to merit-based achievement and accountability. The long-standing partnership between American higher education and the federal government has greatly benefited society and our nation. Shared goals and investment in talent and ideas will turn possibility into progress.

I am grateful to the Penn community for your thoughtful input and for what you bring to our University and our missions every day.

­—J. Larry Jameson, President

Provost John L. Jackson, Jr. has announced the appointment of Sanya Carley, the Presidential Distinguished Professor of Energy Policy and City Planning in the Weitzman School of Design and the Mark Alan Hughes Faculty Director of the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, as Penn’s Vice Provost for Climate Science, Policy, and Action, effective November 1.

“As we celebrate another highly successful Climate Week,” said Provost Jackson, “I am delighted to welcome Sanya Carley to this critical university-wide leadership role. She is one of the world’s leading experts on energy policy, especially related to affordability, decarbonization, and the impact of changing climate systems. She is a widely admired teacher, mentor, and collaborator who will be a dynamic catalyst across campus on issues of energy, climate, and sustainability. I want to express my gratitude to Michael Mann for his service as the University’s inaugural vice provost for climate science, policy, and action, and to Stephen Decina, who will continue his outstanding work as the inaugural executive director of climate science, policy, and action, working closely with Vice Provost Carley and Vice Provost for Research David Meaney.”

Dr. Carley is a founder and co-director of the Energy Justice Lab, which aims to assess and address the equity and justice issues that arise as communities transition from fossil fuels to more diverse, efficient, and low-carbon energy sources. She also serves as a fellow of Resources for the Future, the independent, nonprofit research organization in Washington DC that partners with select university leaders to develop impartial economic research that can improve public policies for environmental, energy, and natural resources.

“I am honored,” said Dr. Carley, “to assume this important role and am very much looking forward to integrating and amplifying our incredible climate work here at Penn.”

Dr. Carley came to Penn two years ago from Indiana University, where she was the associate vice provost for faculty and academic affairs and the O’Neill Professor in the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. She is the co-author of Power Lines: The Human Costs of American Energy in Transition (University of Chicago Press, 2025) and Energy-Based Economic Development: How Clean Energy Can Drive Development and Stimulate Economic Growth (Springer, 2014) and has received the David Kershaw Award from the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, among numerous other awards.

At Penn, Dr. Carley also has secondary appointments in the Wharton School and the School of Social Policy and Practice. She received a PhD in public policy from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, an MS in urban and regional planning from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and BAs in both economics and sustainable development from Swarthmore College.

Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center has announced the appointment of Dan Martzall as the new chief of farrier services. With extensive expertise in therapeutic and performance horse shoeing, Mr. Martzall brings more than two decades of professional experience to the role.

A graduate of Millersville University, Mr. Martzall attended the Kentucky Horsehoeing School, one of North America’s premier farrier education centers. Upon completion of the program, Mr. Martzall apprenticed in the multi-farrier practice of Chester County Farrier Associates, where he went on to become a partner. After the closing of the practice, Mr. Martzall co-founded Red Oak Equine Associates in Berks County, Pennsylvania, where he specialized in the care and shoeing of performance horses competing in national and international competitions.

Mr. Martzall holds the designation of certified journeyman farrier (CJF), the highest level of certification awarded by the American Farriers Association (AFA). Reserved for farriers who have demonstrated advanced expertise and artistry in farriery, this elite certification signifies commitment to the foremost professional standards and excellence in equine hoof care. Mr. Martzall’s clients have included equine athletes competing in world-class events such as the Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Maryland 3/5, Fair Hill International, and England’s MARS Badminton Horse Trials and Burghley Horse Trials. He is an active member of the AFA, and his work spans a range of disciplines, including three-day eventing, dressage, hunters, and jumpers.

Mr. Martzall’s appointment advances the New Bolton Center’s commitment to delivering exceptional veterinary and farrier services for all horses, from elite competitors and working horses to breeding stock and pleasure horses.

The Philadelphia Flyers and Penn Medicine have announced that they will extend their partnership to continue its impact on the local Philadelphia community. Through the partnership, the two organizations will increase the existing Penn Medicine Assist program, Nurse of the Game initiative, and Gritty 5K sponsorship, and create opportunities for critical care training for employees, players, and people across Philadelphia and beyond.

“Penn Medicine serves a region that prides itself on hard work and determination, so I’m happy that we can continue a partnership between a pair of organizations that really reflect those qualities,” said Kevin Mahoney, chief executive officer of the University of Pennsylvania Health System. “We’ll keep translating the team’s on-ice successes into food for our neighbors, and we’ll come together to provide training to help members of the public take action to help save lives during emergencies like cardiac arrest in their communities. There’s so much we can and will do because of our shared commitment, and I’m excited to see where this takes us and our community.”

“Penn Medicine is a longtime Flyers partner and a world leading innovator, known for vastly expanding our knowledge of science and medicine while giving back to communities,” said Dan Hilferty, chairman and chief executive officer of Comcast Spectacor. “This partnership is all about continuing to bring together two renowned brands on a national stage to help expand projects that benefit fans, patients, and the communities in which we operate. We couldn’t be more excited about the future and look forward to showcasing Penn Medicine’s leading care and staff throughout the season.”

The Philadelphia Flyers and Penn Medicine are committed to supporting patients and medical staff and serving the communities in which they operate. This partnership will continue to expand the organizations’ leading community initiatives, including:

• Penn Medicine Assist: A charitable food donation program that raises awareness around food insecurity. For every Flyers assist on the ice, Penn Medicine and the Flyers donate 50 pounds of food via Philabundance to support the Philadelphia community.
• Nurse of the Game: At home games, the Philadelphia Flyers recognize outstanding Penn Medicine nurses who go above and beyond in their roles and demonstrate clinical excellence and an unwavering commitment to care. They are emphasized as an example of dedication to the people of the city and what it means to serve their community.
• Gritty 5K: Penn Medicine is committed to continuing its sponsorship of the Gritty 5K, a marquee fundraiser that has raised over $750,000 for Flyers Charities. All funds raised support families affected by cancer and growing hockey in the Philadelphia community.
• Growing Innovative Reach & Support: Both organizations are committed to advancing care and reach, including CPR, Stop the Bleed training, and donations to key cancer programs to assist with the continuation of Penn’s innovative research.

Additionally, the partnership includes Penn Medicine’s sponsorship of the Philadelphia Flyers away jersey patch, starting in the 2025-26 National Hockey League season and continuing for the next four years. The sponsorship emphasizes Penn Medicine’s goal to deliver world-class care to patients around the world.

The Penn Medicine logo was displayed on the Flyers away jerseys in game action at the October 9 season opener versus the Florida Panthers.

Guild, the leading talent development company, has announced a new partnership with Wharton Online, the digital learning platform of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, bringing Wharton’s acclaimed executive education programs into Guild’s learning marketplace. This collaboration reinforces Guild’s commitment to helping companies build resilient leaders prepared to navigate technological, economic, and workforce change.

The need for leadership readiness has never been greater. By 2030, 39% of workers’ core skills will change. Navigating this transformation demands leaders who are willing to learn and adapt alongside their organizations, even at the executive level. Leaders who embrace a growth mindset, cultivate learning agility, and model these behaviors for their teams significantly strengthen their organization’s ability to respond to market shifts and disruptions. Organizations that invest in leadership development initiatives consistently report greater innovation and more sustainable growth.

“The pace of change in the workforce has made transformational leadership table stakes,” said Bijal Shah, CEO of Guild. “Leading through change requires learning through change. Wharton’s executive education programs bring academic rigor and real-world relevance that will help leaders build adaptability, inspire their teams, and drive business impact. Together, we’re ensuring companies can build from within at every level to meet the challenges of constant change.”

Wharton Online’s offerings are designed for busy professionals seeking to immediately apply new insights in their roles. Leaders gain access to faculty-taught programs that translate cutting-edge research into practical tools for building organizational resilience.

Wharton Online programs now available in the Guild Learning Marketplace include: 

• Digital Leadership Certificate Program
• Leadership in the 21st Century
• AI for Business
• Leadership in the Age of Digital Disruption
• Removing Barriers to Change in Organizations

“Wharton Online’s offerings empower leaders to navigate disruption with confidence, translate insights into action, and rally their organizations to thrive in today’s dynamic environment,” said Eric Hamberger, managing director of Wharton Online. “We are proud to join Guild’s Learning Marketplace to expand access to leadership education that helps companies cultivate resilience and unlock long-term growth.”

These programs are designed to equip leaders with trust-building strategies, data-driven decision frameworks, and tools to drive innovation and sustainable growth. Delivered online by world-renowned Wharton faculty, the offerings combine academic excellence with practical, actionable insights.

With an intentional focus on offering its employees a variety of opportunities to learn and develop, JPMorganChase is one of the first employers to offer Wharton Online’s executive education programs to its employees through Guild.

Guild’s Learning Marketplace is carefully curated with more than 2,000 programs from the nation’s most trusted universities, learning providers, and industry experts, helping employees gain access to high-quality education that delivers real-world impact. Explore Guild’s full learning marketplace offerings and learning partners here.

The 2026 Annual Selection Period for retirees and Long-Term Disability recipients will run from Monday, October 27 to Friday, November 7, 2025. This annual event allows participants to review their current benefits and make changes for the upcoming calendar year. The selections made will be effective as of January 1, 2026. If changes are not made, elections for 2025 will roll over to 2026.

Participants will be mailed a 2026 Annual Selection Guide which includes current enrollment information, costs, medical plan comparison charts, and more. Visit the Annual Benefits Selection webpage for complete details.

The Annual Selection Information Fair will be held on October 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Golkin Room at Houston Hall.

How to Enroll or Make Changes to Your Benefits

There are two ways to enroll or make changes to your benefits for the 2026 Annual Selection period. You can call the University of Pennsylvania Benefits Solution Center at Health Advocate at (866) 799-2329, or use the Workday@Penn enrollment system and complete the following steps online:

1. With your PennKey and password, log in to Workday at www.myworkday.com/upenn/login.html.
2. From your home page, select the inbox icon in the upper right corner or click “Go to Inbox.”
3. Select “Annual Selection” in your inbox.
4. Click “Let’s Get Started.” Select “Manage” under each benefit offering, then click “Select” or “Waive” next to the corresponding benefit plan (your current coverage will be displayed in each benefits election).
5. Click “Confirm” and continue and save after each election.
6. When you have completed all your elections, click “Review and Sign and then Submit.”

All elections or changes must be made by Friday, November 7, 2025 at 5 p.m. ET.

If you have questions about this year’s Annual Selection Period, please contact the University of Pennsylvania Benefits Solution Center at Health Advocate at (866) 799-2329, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., ET.

—Division of Human Resources

Joel William Eisner, C’59, a former clinical professor of medicine, died on July 23 after a brief illness. He was 87. 

Born in Philadelphia, Dr. Eisner moved with his family to the Philadelphia suburb of Phoenixville in 1942. There, his family opened Milton’s Youth Center, a children’s clothing store, and were active members of Congregation Mercy and Truth, where Dr. Eisner was deeply influenced by Rabbi Emil Schorsch. Dr. Eisner graduated from Pottstown High School, which awarded him a Distinguished Alumni Award in 1990. Dr. Eisner then attended Penn, where he was a member of the crew team, performed in Mask and Wig, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a major in chemistry and a focus on pre-med studies. He earned his medical degree from Einstein Medical School, followed by a residency in internal medicine at Temple University, where he won the Golden Apple Award three years in a row. 

After serving as a U.S. Army doctor in Japan in the 1960s, Dr. Eisner returned to the U.S. and founded Phoenixville Medical Associates, which grew into one of the region’s largest practices. There, he was a driving force behind the growth of Phoenixville Hospital. He also founded HMO Freedom Healthcare, later sold to U.S. Healthcare. 

In 1994, Phoenixville Medical Associates, Ltd., became one of Penn’s Clinical Care Associates, and as such, Dr. Eisner joined Penn’s faculty as a clinical professor of medicine that year. Dr. Eisner also took a CCA post as associate dean for regional clinical development. Dr. Eisner retired from his teaching duties at Penn in 2008, but continued to be active around campus, delivering talks under the auspices of the Penn Association for Senior & Emeritus Faculty (PASEF). 

He served as a member of the Trustee Board of Clinical Care Associates of the Penn Health System.

Dr. Eisner continued to see patients through his private practice, even after selling the practice to Penn Medicine in 2023. 

He is survived by his wife, Judy; daughters, Elana Eisner (Charles Pritchard), Dina Green (Eric), Alyssa Eisner Henkin (Evan), Lauren Najarian (David); grandchildren, Rebecca, Rachel, Julia, Jeremy, Jordyn, Nathan, William, Alex, Isaac, and Orli. 

Donations in Dr. Eisner’s memory may be made to Congregation B’nai Jacob (Phoenixville, Pennsylvania), Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El (Wynnewood, Pennsylvania), the Jewish Federation of Philadelphia (https://donate.jewishphilly.org), or a charity of the donor’s choice. 

Victoria (Vicky) E. Johnson, an associate professor of neurosurgery in the Perelman School of Medicine, died on September 4 from metastatic colon cancer. She was 44. 

Born and raised in Scotland, Dr. Johnson earned three degrees from the University of Glasgow: her BS in clinical neurology (2003), her MD (2005), and her PhD in neural pathology (2012). After earning her medical degree, she moved to Philadelphia in 2005 to take a position as a postdoc in neurosurgery at the Perelman School of Medicine at Penn, where she studied under Douglas Smith, director of the Center for Brain Injury and Repair. She joined the Penn faculty in 2013 as an instructor of neurosurgery and joined the tenure track in 2016 as an assistant professor. At Penn, she quickly established herself as a leader in her field, securing funding from the Department of Defense and the National Institutes of Health. 

Her research focused on the chronic neuropathological sequelae of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), including the links between TBI and neurodegenerative disease. Dr Johnson specifically examined postmortem brain tissue acutely and chronically following TBI in humans. In recent publications, Dr. Johnson and colleagues demonstrated that even a single TBI is associated with an increased incidence of Alzheimer-associated pathologies many years after injury. 

In 2024, she published a landmark paper in Brain on traumatic brain injuries in contact sports and was awarded a major new NIH grant; in 2025, shortly before she died, she became an associate professor.

Dr. Johnson’s career was short but renowned. She was a two-time winner of the Murray Goldstein Award for Excellence in Neurotrauma Research, and in 2024, Penn’s department of neurosurgery ranked 3rd in the nation in NIH funding research among departments of neurosurgery, thanks in part to grants awarded to Dr. Johnson, a top-funded researcher. 

Daniel Yoshor, chair of neurosurgery, and Douglas Smith, director of the Center for Brain Injury and Repair, and Dr. Johnson’s long-time mentor, PI and collaborator, described her as a “cherished member of the Penn research community whose legacy will live on through the colleagues and trainees she inspired and the transformative research she led.” Dr. Johnson became a U.S. citizen in 2022, which brought her great pride. 

She is survived by her nephew and niece, Patrick and Charlotte Johnson; her dear friend, Orli Smith; her brother, Scott Johnson (Victoria Carson); and her parents, Frederick and Eleanor Johnson. 

Memorial services are currently being planned, and details will be shared with family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Keystone Care Keystone House in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania.

Robert (Bob) S. Weinstein, M’71, RES’75, a former clinical associate professor of obstetrics/gynecology in the Perelman School of Medicine, died on October 7. He was 80. 

Raised in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, Dr. Weinstein graduated from Friends’ Central School in 1963, then graduated from Swarthmore College with a degree in biology in 1967. He came to Penn for medical school, earning his MD in 1971, and then completed an internship in internal medicine at UCLA Hospital and a residency in ob/gyn at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. 

While a resident at HUP, Dr. Weinstein became an instructor in Penn’s School of Medicine in 1972. In 1977, he became an assistant clinical professor; twelve years later, he was promoted to associate clinical professor, a role he held until his retirement in 2018. 

In 1997, he became a member of Penn’s 25 Year Club.

Outside of his teaching duties, Dr. Weinstein joined his father in his ob/gyn practice in Philadelphia from 1975 to 1985, then continued in his solo practice until 2019. 

During his four decades in practice at HUP, Dr. Weinstein was recognized as a Philadelphia Magazine Top Doc for obstetrics and gynecology from 1984 to 2006. 

Dr. Weinstein is survived by his wife, Florence Weinstein; his sons, William (Alison) Weinstein and Adam (Kimberly) Weinstein; his stepdaughters, Tara (Patricia) Corsi and Lauren (Stephen) Brill; and his grandchildren, Zachary, Ryan, Olivia, Jacob, August and Zoe. 

Contributions in Dr. Weinstein’s memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

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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.

However, notices of alumni deaths should be directed to the Alumni Records Office at Suite 300, 2929 Walnut St., (215) 898-8136 or email record@ben.dev.upenn.edu.

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 Office, by email at senate@pobox.upenn.edu.

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Actions
Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Reports from Constituencies. Faculty Senate chair Kathy Brown invited four SEC members to offer reports from their constituencies.

Referrals for Membership on Advisory Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Faculty and the Academic Mission (SCOF). SEC members were requested to refer faculty members to serve on an advisory subcommittee to assist SCOF in addressing its charges this year.

Faculty Panel Discussion Proposal. Eric Feldman reported on an upcoming Faculty Senate-sponsored event focused on fostering open dialogue on pressing academic issues. The event, Viewpoint Diversity?, open to all faculty, is scheduled for October 29 at 5 p.m. A formal event announcement is forthcoming.

Update from Co-Chairs of Select Committee on Faculty Survey. John Holmes and Harun Küçük presented plans for a series of faculty listening sessions aimed at assessing faculty morale and capacity, at improving the cross-campus understanding of faculty teaching, research, and service, and at gathering feedback on Penn’s strengths and vulnerabilities as an institution of higher education.

Consideration of Proposed Resolution on “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. Following an extended discussion, SEC members voted to endorse a Resolution on the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” by a vote of 40 in favor and 2 opposed, with 2 abstentions. The resolution text is included in this issue of Almanac. Faculty Senate members were notified of this action via email on October 15, 2025.

The “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” demands that American universities surrender their institutional autonomy and place themselves under the control of the U.S. Federal Government. We reject that demand.

Autonomy is the lifeblood of universities: it enables them to determine their curricula, produce valuable research, promote innovation, uphold the principles of open inquiry and free speech, and educate future leaders without undue external interference. Higher education in the United States, as the “Compact” states, “represents a key strategic benefit for our Nation.” Surrendering autonomy would squander that extraordinary benefit and compromise our essential values:

Academic freedom: The liberty of individual faculty, trainees, and students to pursue facts and truth in their research, publications, teaching, and other forms of speech ensures that their work is guided by evidence and reason. The “Compact” proposes an unprecedented and unconstitutional degree of governmental intrusion on academic freedom.

Educational opportunity: To promote educational excellence, it is critical to rigorously review every applicant’s qualifications. Merit is always the North Star of the review process, which often involves an evaluation of an applicant’s background, personal circumstances, and personal characteristics. The “Compact” proposes infeasible and likely unconstitutional restrictions on how applicants are evaluated and admitted.

Merit-based competition for funding: The Government-University research partnership has produced immeasurable benefits for the health, prosperity, and well-being of Americans. Open competition for funding rewards the best ideas and allocates precious taxpayer dollars to programs and research proposals that offer the greatest promise for generating knowledge and improving society. The “Compact” violates this principle by privileging considerations other than scholarly excellence, scientific merit, and societal impact in determining which scholars receive government funding.

Scholarly diversity: The open and honest exchange of ideas, viewpoints, and values is the bedrock of higher education. It is only possible when a campus hires and supports scholars who embrace varied methodologies, represent a wide range of ideological perspectives, and engage with those who think differently. The “Compact” undermines the ideal of scholarly diversity by allowing the government to define which intellectual approaches should be prioritized.

Universities, including our own, are committed to bringing our actions ever closer to these values. We, too, seek “excellence in higher education.” However, the best approach to excellence is not capitulation to a “Compact” that purports to promote academic excellence but instead shackles the independence, creativity, and pursuit of truth that has enabled American universities to provide enormous benefits to our society. We make progress not by abandoning our principles but by upholding them.

The “Compact” erodes the foundation on which higher education in the United States is built. The University of Pennsylvania Faculty Senate urges President Jameson and the Board of Trustees to reject it and any other proposal that similarly threatens our mission and values.

Endorsed: University of Pennsylvania Faculty Senate Executive Committee, October 15, 2025.

Two Penn faculty members have been elected to the 2025 class of American Physical Society (APS) Fellows. Ritesh Agarwal of the School of Engineering & Applied Science and Douglas Jerolmack of the School of Arts & Sciences and the School of Engineering and Applied Science are being recognized by their peers with the honor.

Each year, no more than one half of one percent of the society’s membership, excluding student members, is elected to the status of APS fellow, for outstanding advances in physics through original research and publication or significant innovative contributions in the application of physics to science and technology.

Ritesh Agarwal is the Srinivasa Ramanujan Distinguished Scholar in the department of materials science and engineering. His research focuses on developing and understanding new electronic and photonic materials, with applications in next-generation computing, sensing, and quantum technologies. He is being recognized by the APS “for pioneering contributions to materials science by engineering novel electronic and photonic materials by combining quantum geometry and topology of band structures with precisely defined local defects and elucidation of their properties by developing new nonlinear photogalvanic spectroscopies.”

Dr. Agarwal has received numerous honors for his work, including recognition from the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research, and is widely regarded for his creative approach to bridging fundamental physics and practical materials design.

Douglas Jerolmack is the Edmund J. and Louise W. Kahn Endowed Term Professor of Earth and Environmental Science and a professor of mechanical engineering and applied mechanics. He is recognized by the APS for “pioneering investigations into the universal behaviors governing the formation, failure, and flow of soft earth materials,” in addition to his “outstanding leadership in building a soft earth geophysics community.”

Dr. Jerolmack is an experimental geophysicist who is a pioneer in the emerging field of soft earth geophysics, which centers on advancing scientific understanding of Earth’s dynamic surface through the physics of “squishy” materials, soft matter that includes everything from sand and mud to rocks and ice. He also works with roboticists and cognitive scientists to improve how we explore Earth, the moon, and Mars, and with education experts to improve learning and engagement in STEM.

Six researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have been recognized for their creative research through the National Institutes of Health Director’s awards from the NIH Common Fund’s High-Risk, High-Reward Research program. The awards were created to support unconventional approaches to major challenges in biomedical and behavioral research. The six Penn Medicine researchers are:

Roberto Bonasio, a professor of cell and developmental biology, has been awarded the NIH’s Pioneer Award. Established in 2004, the award challenges investigators at all career levels to pursue new research directions and develop groundbreaking, high-impact approaches to a broad area of biomedical and behavioral science. Dr. Bonasio’s laboratory focuses on the molecular mechanisms of epigenetic memory, which are critical for processes such as embryonic development, stem cell versatility, brain function and others. His research seeks to understand how special molecules, called noncoding RNAs, control how cells “remember” their roles, affecting everything from tiny cell parts to entire living creatures. This work sheds light on the complex system that helps multicellular life, like humans and animals, function properly. The award will help support Dr. Bonasio’s research into how planarian flatworms can retain memories after regrowing their brains, suggesting that RNA might carry these memories. This will shine a light on whether and how memories and behaviors might be inherited in animals, including humans, in new and surprising ways.

Lucie Guo, an assistant professor of ophthalmology and a recent addition to the Penn faculty, has received the Early Independence Award to support her lab’s new research into “smart” gene therapies that may respond dynamically to disease conditions. Her goal with this work is to develop precision medicine techniques to protect and restore vision. She received both her MD and PhD from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, then completed her ophthalmology residency and surgical retina fellowship at Stanford University before joining the faculty of her alma mater. At Stanford, she worked on developing new gene editing and genome regulation tools for gene therapies.

Casey Halpern, a professor of neurosurgery, has also received the Pioneer Award. This award will support his long-standing vision of developing technologies for multiple disorders of the brain, including major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and substance use disorder (SUD). These disorders have all been linked to dysfunction of areas that exist very deep in the brain, unreachable by available treatments. Dr. Halpern’s work will shift focus from the surgical brain stimulation techniques that his lab has been studying for a decade to less invasive and even non-invasive strategies, like focused ultrasound technology. His lab aims to study ultrasound’s ability to reach the deep structures in the brain that drive disorders like OCD and SUD, while developing strategies to do so more precisely and without irreversibly affecting the brain.

David Michael Merrick, an assistant professor of endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism, has received the New Innovator Award. This award, established in 2007, supports unusually innovative research from early career investigators who are within 10 years of their most recent degree or clinical residency and have not yet received a large independent NIH grant. Dr. Merrick’s research proposes using thermogenic adipose tissue, which burns energy, to increase energy expenditure in obese patients by expanding these cells outside the body and controlling them with a novel light-activated receptor. This approach could lead to new cell-based therapies to help maintain long-term weight loss by boosting metabolism without the drawbacks of existing treatments.

Elizabeth Traxler, an assistant professor of hematology-oncology, has been honored with the Early Independence Award. Established in 2011, the award provides an opportunity for exceptional junior scientists who have recently received their doctoral degree or completed their clinical training to bypass the traditional post-doctoral training period to launch independent research careers. Dr. Traxler’s laboratory investigates novel mechanisms of developmental gene expression during red blood cell development, with a focus on hemoglobinopathy disorders like sickle cell disease and thalassemia. Her studies have resulted in first-author manuscripts in Nature Medicine, Blood, and Developmental Cell. Looking ahead, Dr. Traxler’s research looks to advance innovation for patients with blood disorders and deepen scientific understanding of fundamental mechanisms of gene regulation.

Leo Le Wang, an assistant professor of dermatology, has also received the Early Independence Award to develop advanced skin treatments that help wounds heal without scarring. His research uses specially-designed gel-like materials called hydrogels that release healing signals to encourage the skin to regrow hair follicles, a key step toward scar-free healing. Inspired by a natural process seen in mice, this approach could lead to injectable or patch-based therapies that improve recovery after surgery or injury.

The NIH Common Fund supports a series of exceptionally high-impact programs that cross NIH institutes and centers. Common Fund programs pursue major opportunities and gaps in biomedical research that require NIH-wide collaboration to succeed. The High-Risk, High-Reward Research program is part of the NIH Common Fund.

Robert H. Vonderheide, director of the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, has been honored with the 2025 Jill Rose Award for Scientific Excellence from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), the foundation’s highest scientific honor. The award will be presented at BCRF’s annual New York Symposium and Awards Luncheon on October 30.

Dr. Vonderheide is the John H. Glick Abramson Cancer Center Professor in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, where he has led the Abramson Cancer Center (ACC) since 2017. An internationally renowned cancer immunotherapy and translational research expert, Dr. Vonderheide’s research has been supported by BCRF grants since 2007. Through a focus on novel immunotherapies for breast and other cancers, Dr. Vonderheide has mapped new models for speeding translational, or “bench to bedside” research.

Dr. Vonderheide is a leader in the field of cancer interception, which aims to catch, or intercept, cancer cells as they begin to develop into pre-cancers or very early cancers, and halt or reverse that process. His research showed it is possible for the immune system to recognize an enzyme called telomerase that’s involved in about 95 percent of human cancers. That foundational discovery was translated into an actionable interception strategy in the form of an investigational DNA vaccine that trains the recipient’s own immune system to find telomerase and destroy abnormal cells before they grow into full-fledged cancer. This cancer interception strategy was studied in a phase I clinical trial at Penn Medicine’s Basser Center for BRCA among individuals who have a high risk of developing breast cancer because they carry a BCRA gene mutation.

“We hope to alert the immune system to the very first steps when a cell changes to cancer and stop breast cancer in its tracks,” Dr. Vonderheide explained.

Dr. Vonderheide also serves as the vice dean of Cancer Programs for the Perelman School of Medicine, and vice president for Cancer Programs at the University of Pennsylvania Health System. 

Conferences

24        Scaling Stories: A Media & Entertainment Conference; brings together industry leaders from CAA, BCG, NBCUniversal, etc. to discuss how streaming, artificial intelligence, and evolving production models are shaping the future of entertainment; 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Huntsman Hall; register: https://cglink.me/2cz/r122509 (Wharton UME; Cinema & Media Studies).

Films

26        The Rocky Horror Picture Show Watch Party; screening of the Halloween cult classic film; 7:30 p.m.; lobby, Platt Student Performing Arts House (Platt House, LGBT Center).

Fitness & Learning

22        Garden Mindfulness Meetup Sponsored by Nature Sacred; connect with the garden surroundings through a 30-minute intentional journaling exercise, then mingle and enjoy a small treat underneath the colorful fall trees; 2 p.m.; Warden Garden, Penn Museum; register: https://tinyurl.com/museum-garden-oct-22 (Penn Museum).

            Master of Communication and Media Industries Info Session; learn about the Annenberg School’s newest master’s program offering; 6 p.m.; room 500, Annenberg School; register: https://tinyurl.com/mcmi-info-oct-22 (Annenberg School for Communication).

24        Laser Ablation Workshop; learn about the use of Nd:YAG laser systems to clean architectural materials, including a lecture on how laser cleaning works and descriptions of both low frequency (fixed optic) and high frequency (scanning optic) systems and a short practicum where students can test both types of system on sample materials; 9 a.m.; Center for Architectural Conservation, 42^nd and Locust Streets; fee: $350; register: https://tinyurl.com/laser-ablation-oct-24 (Historic Preservation).  

26        Sunday Reset with Coach Shay; invites participants to unplug and connect with their senses through a meditative experience inspired by current ICA exhibition Mavis Pusey: Mobile Images; 2 p.m.; ICA; register: https://icaphila.org/events/programs/sunday-reset-with-coach-shay-2/ (Institute of Contemporary Art).

28        Texas Firm Fair; learn more about a variety of firms with offices in Texas as they recruit for their 1L summer classes, and join their attorneys for a networking happy hour after stopping by the different tables available; 4:30 p.m.; Levy Conference Center, Silverman Hall (Penn Carey Law).

Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships

In-person events in room G08/09, College Hall. Info: https://curf.upenn.edu/events.

22        NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) Writing Workshop; undergraduate students applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) are invited to participate in this two-hour interactive writing workshop; 10 a.m.

Penn Libraries

Various locations. Info: https://www.library.upenn.edu/events.

21        Free Open Access Publishing Through Penn Libraries’ Agreements With Publishers; will provide an overview of some of the most common open access publishing models and the Penn Libraries' current agreements with publishers; 11 a.m.; online webinar.

            Intro to the Academic Publishing Lifecycle; learn how to identify suitable publication venues, comply with submission guidelines, navigate the review process, and get published; 3 p.m.; Research Data and Digital Scholarship Exchange, Van Pelt Library.

22        History of Letterpress Printing and Typography: A Tour and Demonstration; guided tour and demonstration of letterpress printing and typography, including the history of letterpress printing, type and books from 1000 CE to now; noon; Common Press, Fisher Fine Arts Library.

            Making Sense of the Creative Commons Licenses and the New CC Signals; will discuss what the Creative Commons licenses are, how they work, and why you may select one over another; 2 p.m.; room 241, Van Pelt Library.

            Research Poster Design; will show students and professionals how to effectively condense their work, communicate their findings in a visually appealing way, and more; 4:45 p.m.; online webinar.

23        Coffee with a Codex: Sephardim in England; Judaica special collections cataloging librarian Louis Meiselman will discuss CAJS Rar Ms. 534, a manuscript written by Moses Gomez de Mesquita documenting his administration and institution of prayer customs for the Sephardim in England; noon; online webinar.

            Open Source Geospatial Data and Tools; learn how to access, analyze, and use these open-source tools for mapping, spatial analysis, and decision-making; 4 p.m.; Research Data and Digital Scholarship Exchange, Van Pelt Library.

27        Intro to Molding/Casting: Candle Making Workshop Part 2; turn your 3D-printed objects into beeswax candles using the process of molding and casting; 2-4 p.m.; Education Commons Makerspace.

28        Studio Use Training: Letterpress Printing; learn and practice the basics of letterpress printing and typesetting; 11 a.m.; Common Press, Fisher Fine Arts Library.

            Lippincott's Snack Stop: Destress & Discover; unwind and sample exciting food creations from Penn’s student entrepreneurs; 4-5:30 p.m.; room 242, Van Pelt Library.

On Stage

23        Penn Dance Company & Penn Glee Club Presents After Dark; Penn Dance Company and the Penn Glee Club continue their annual collaboration with a selection of pieces highlighting the allure of nightfall; program features captivating artistry with the Glee Club's choral and instrumental pieces, Penn Dance Company's captivating dance numbers, and a variety of collaborative pieces; 8 p.m.; Iron Gate Theater; tickets: $8-$15 (Platt Student Performing Arts House). Also October 24, 7 p.m.; October 25, 5 p.m.

Readings & Signings

21        America’s Middle East: The Ruination of a Region; Marc Lynch, George Washington University; noon; World Forum, Perry World House; register: https://tinyurl.com/lynch-reading-oct-21 (Perry World House).

Special Events

26        2025 Trot for Trainees; the Wistar Trainee Association’s annual 2-mile fun run/walk; all funds raised will directly support training, education, and the development of our next generation of biomedical researchers; 10 a.m.; starts at the Wistar Institute, ends at the Rocky Statue; registration: $20; register: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/wistartrotfortrainees2025/ (Wistar Institute).

Talks

21        Democratic Repercussions of Media Fragmentation; panel of speakers; room 500, Annenberg School, and Zoom webinar; register: https://tinyurl.com/annenberg-panel-oct-21 (Annenberg School for Communication).

            Gendered Dimensions of Climate Change: Impacts and Responses in Rural Zimbabwe; Kiriana Dube, Africana studies; noon; room 330A, 3401 Walnut Street; register: https://tinyurl.com/dube-talk-oct-21 (Africana Studies).

            The Future of Literary Knowledge as a University Institution; Christopher Newfield, University of California Santa Barbara; 3:30 p.m.; room 401, Fisher-Bennett Hall (English).

            The 2025 Honorable Arlin M. Adams Lecture in Law, Religion and the First Amendment; John Fabian Witt, Yale University; 4:30 p.m.; room 100, Golkin Hall; register: https://penncareylaw.cventevents.com/ll11nB (Penn Carey Law).

22        Suspended Education: School Punishment and the Legacy of Racial Injustice; Aaron Kupchik, University of Delaware; noon; room 403, McNeil Building (Sociology).

            The Versatility of Perovskite Materials for Optoelectronics; Michael Saliba, University of Stuttgart; 2 p.m.; room 114, Skirkanich Hall (Electrical & Systems Engineering).

            Harnessing the Whole Power of CMB Lensing with the Atacama Cosmology Telescope; Irene Abri-Cabezas, Cambridge University; 3:30 p.m.; room 4E19, DRL (Physics & Astronomy).

23        On-Chip Topological Photonics for Terahertz 6G to XG Wireless; Ranjan Singh, University of Notre Dame; 10:30 a.m.; Wu & Chen Auditorium, Levine Hall (Materials Science & Engineering).

            Climate Change and Communication; Allie Sinclair, Communication Neuroscience Lab and Annenberg Public Policy Center; 11 a.m.; room 300, Annenberg School; register: https://tinyurl.com/climate101fall25 (Environmental Innovations Initiative).

            New Pathways for Energy Efficient Computing Hardwre; Sayeef Salahuddin, University of California Berkeley; 11 a.m.; room 225, Towne Building (Electrical & Systems Engineering).

            Building Networks for Urban Wildlife Research: Biodiversity and Disease Across Cities; Mason Fidino, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago; noon; room 130, Hill Pavilion, and Zoom webinar; info: https://tinyurl.com/fidino-talk-oct-23  (Environmental Innovations Initiative).

            GovTech Is Policy: The Boring, Complex, Unsolved Underbelly of India’s Governance Challenges; Harsh Nisar, National Highways Authority of India; noon; room 230, PCPSE (Center for the Advanced Study of India).

            An Information Geometric Understanding of Deep Learning; Pratik Chaudhari, computer & information science; noon; room 414, Gutmann Hall (SEAS IDEAS Center, PennAI, Statics & Data Science).

            2025-2026 Visiting Artist Lecture Series; Carmen Winant, Ohio State University; 6 p.m.; Institute of Contemporary Art (Fine Arts; Institute of Contemporary Art).

24        Creole Formal Syntax/Semantics; Stéphane Térosier, University at Buffalo; 10:15 a.m.; room 110, Annenberg School (Linguistics).

            Powering Decarbonization with Modeling and Optimization of Renewables in the Multi-Scale Atmosphere; Michael F. Howland, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 2 p.m.; room 534, 3401 Walnut Street (Penn Institute for Computational Science).

25        Curating Mavis Pusey: Mobile Images; Hallie Ringle, ICA; Kiki Teshome, Studio Museum in Harlem; 2 p.m.; ICA, and Zoom webinar; register: https://icaphila.org/events/programs/curating-mavis-pusey-mobile-images/ (Institute of Contemporary Art).

26        Rescheduled: A Couple of Old Chinese Guys Talking About Art; Ken Lum, Weitzman School; John Yau, poet and art critic; 5 p.m.; Arthur Ross Gallery, Fisher Fine Arts Library; register: https://tinyurl.com/lum-yau-oct-26 (Arthur Ross Gallery).

27        Early Effects of the Inflation Reduction Act on Drug Prices and Use; Aaron Kesselheim, Harvard University; noon; room 109, Steinberg Hall-Dietrich Hall; register: https://tinyurl.com/kesselheim-talk-oct-27 (Leonard Davis Institute).

            Courting Uncertainty: Loot Box Gifts on Chinese Livestreaming Platforms; Zhe Wang, Communication University of Zhejiang; 12:15 p.m.; room 300, Annenberg School; register: https://tinyurl.com/wang-talk-oct-27 (Center on Digital Culture and Society).

            A Coxiella Burnetii Effector Protein Suppresses Immune Gene Transcription; Jaydeen Sewell, microbiology; 4 p.m.; room 209, Johnson Pavilion (Microbiology).

28        Manipulating Mechanical Wave Propagation with Phononic Materials; Kathryn Matlack, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; 10:15 a.m.; Wu & Chen Auditorium, Levine Hall (Mechanical Engineering & Applied Mechanics).

            Sparse View Synthesis; Ravi Ramamoorthi, University of California San Diego; 3:30 p.m.; Wu & Chen Auditorium, Levine Hall (Computer & Information Science).

            Private-Publics: Sonic-Spatial Synergies and Ecomusical Stewardship in Bumbu Practice; Obianuju Njoku, University of Mississippi; 5:15 p.m.; room 101, Lerner Building (Music).   

            Israeli and Palestinian Public Opinion: The People (and the Polling) Behind the War; Dahlia Scheindlin, political and strategic consultant; 5:30 p.m.; room 250, PCPSE (Middle East Center).

Asian American Studies

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

23        Asian American Across the Disciplines; Pooja Raj, Sakhi for South Asian Survivors; noon; room 244, Fisher-Bennett Hall.

28        Creating Educational Programs in Public Musicology; Eric Hung, University of Maryland; 10:15 a.m.; room 3N6, DRL.

Chemistry

Unless noted, in-person events at Carolyn Hoff Lynch Lecture Hall, 1973 Chemistry Building. Info: https://www.chem.upenn.edu/events.

21        Tailoring the Local Electrocatalytic Environment through Molecular Design; Eva Nichols, University of British Columbia; noon.

22        Collaborative Medicinal and Organic Chemistry; Jeff Aubé , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; noon.

Economics

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

22        Pharmaceutical Advertising in Dynamic Equilibrium; Ariel Pakes, Harvard University; 3:30 p.m.; room 101, PCPSE.

            Adapting to Storms in the U.S.: A Spatial Dynamic Analysis; Ji Hwan Kim, economics; 4 p.m.; room 200, PCPSE.

            Ballots Over Bullets: The Economic and Political Struggles of Venezuela; Jesús Fernández-Villaverde, Angel Alvarado and Hugo Montesinos, economics; 5:30 p.m.; room 250, PCPSE.

27        Blood and Iron: Political Fragmentation in the Ancient Eastern Mediterranean; Patrick Fitzsimmons, economics; 3:30 p.m.; room 250, PCPSE.

            Inference Based on the Continuously Updating Estimator and the Conditional Likelihood Ratio Test; Marcelo J. Moreira, Fundação Getulio Vargas; 4:30 p.m.; room 200, PCPSE.

28        Adapting to Storms in the U.S.: A Spatial Dynamic Analysis; Ji Hwan Kim, economics; noon; room 101, PCPSE.

            Auctions as Experiments; Mira Frick, Princeton University; 4 p.m.; room 203, PCPSE.

GRASP Lab

Info: https://www.grasp.upenn.edu/events/month/2025-10/.

22        Scaling Robot Learning with Vision-Language-Action Models; Suraj Nair, Physical Intelligence; 3 p.m.; room 307, Levine Hall, and Zoom webinar.

Mathematics

In-person events. Info: https://www.math.upenn.edu/.

27        Curve Covers of Degree p, the Different and the Hurwitz Moduli Space; Michael Temkin, I.A.S. and Einstein Institute of Mathematics; 3:30 p.m.; room 4N30, DRL.

28        Multiplicative Hitchin Fibrations and Langlands Duality; Guillermo Gallego, FU Berlin; 3:30 p.m.; room 3C2, DRL.

This is an update to the October AT PENN calendar, which is online now. To submit events for a future AT PENN calendar or weekly update, email 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 6-12, 2025. 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 6-12, 2025. 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 6-12, 2025 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.

Dear Penn Community,

We have begun our planning for the holiday season. We trust that you are all well, and that you will once again be able to join us in this undertaking during the upcoming holiday season.  

The Penn community continues to have a major impact during the holiday season. Your generosity and concern is valued.

Below is a list of current opportunities. These opportunities are designed to bring joy during the holidays. I look forward to working with you as we make a difference in the lives of our beloved community. 

Thank you so very much for your continued generosity. Your contributions allow us to respond to various requests from local agencies and families for donations during the holiday season.

Thank you for all you do.

—Isabel Sampson-Mapp, Associate Director, Netter Center

Holiday Food Drive: October 30–November 17

In the season of thanks and giving, please contribute to the annual food drive coordinated by Penn VIPS. We are collecting non-perishable foods (cans and boxed foods) and turkeys.

Donations will re-stock the pantry at the Salvation Army, Southwest Family Services, the People’s Emergency Center, and local schools, as well as helping many deserving families in the area.

Please take donated items to one of our conveniently located drop sites listed below. Contact one of the drop site committee members listed below for more information:

Gift/Toy/Sneaker Drives to Benefit the Unhoused: December 1-16

Please join Penn volunteers in their annual Public Service Holiday Drive. As you buy toys and presents for the holiday season, please consider spreading some cheer to deserving members of our community. All toys and gifts donated will support the efforts of organizations including the People’s Emergency Center, local schools, Potter’s Mission, Southwest Family Services, and many more. New sneakers will benefit Otley House and other local shelters. All items for the holiday drive must be new, not used, and unwrapped. 

Please contact one of the drop site committee members listed above for more information.

Adopt A Family for the Holidays Program

During the holiday in December, departments from across the University “adopt” a deserving family. The adoption is usually in lieu of departmental gift exchanges. The assigned family is treated to presents and sometimes holiday dinner. Families participate in the program on a one-time basis. Families are assigned to departments upon request. Departments choose the size of the family they would like to adopt and can request the ages of the children they are interested in helping.

Departments may request a “wish list” from the family or they may choose their own gifts for the family members. Departments choose the number and types of gifts they will give and are provided with the size of the family, names, ages and sizes of each family member, and a wish list if requested. Departments are encouraged to deliver gifts to the families, but they may also request that the gifts be delivered. Also, if departments would like to use services like Amazon, gifts can be shipped directly to the family.

Families are selected from the Baring House Family Service Agency and from local agencies and shelters. A small number of referrals are also accepted. Selection of families begins in November and assignments are made from November to mid-December.

Become a Drop Site Volunteer

Participate in the four annual drives held by Penn Volunteers in Public Service (Penn VIPS) to benefit members of the surrounding community.

We need locations around the University that can serve as drop-off points during our school supplies, toy, and gift drives, as well as other drives. Your role would be to help advertise the event and to collect as well as deliver the donated items to our central location. The event timeframes are as follows:

March–Change Drive
August–School Supplies Drive
November–Food Drive
December–Toy and Gift Drive
December–New Sneakers Drive for the Unhoused

Create Your Own Volunteer Activity for Your Department

Would you and your colleagues like to participate in a volunteer activity? Penn VIPS is happy to connect you to an activity or help you develop one of your own.

Donate Office Items to Penn VIPS

Remodeling the office? No longer need that file cabinet or desk? Want to do something useful with items no longer needed by your department, but that are still in good condition?

Penn VIPS maintains an extensive list of local agencies and non-profit organizations that are in desperate need of your no longer needed items. We make connections with members of the community who are happy to put donated items to good use. We can easily arrange for pick up.

Don’t throw it out! Contact Penn VIPS.

Contact Isabel Mapp at (215) 898-2020 or email sammapp@pobox.upenn.edu for additional information, to make a donation, or participate in the above programs.

—Isabel Sampson-Mapp, Associate Director, Netter Center

To members of the University and surrounding community:

The National Institute for Women of Color (NIWC) has proclaimed March 1 National Women of Color Day. Penn, UPHS, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, and Pennsylvania Hospital seek to increase our awareness of the talents and achievements of women of color by recognizing those who support women of color, regardless of their sex, gender, race, or other status, with the Women of Color Award. 

The Women of Color Awards are given in recognition of individuals who have conscientiously endeavored to increase respect for women of color at Penn, University of Pennsylvania Health System, and the Delaware Valley community. Annually, awards are given in up to six categories:

• Helen O. Dickens Award: must have demonstrated over 25 years of previously recognized service
• Joann Mitchell Outstanding Legacy Award: must have worked with the Women of Color Executive Planning Committee or have proven support through donations, event involvement and action advocacy of the WOCAP mission
• Faculty/Staff Award
• Graduate or Professional Student Award
• Undergraduate Student Award
• Community Member Award

Nominees must be affiliated with Penn, UPHS and/or the local Philadelphia area and have demonstrated:

• Outstanding leadership
• Distinguished service
• Positive impact on the community
• Commitment to enhancing quality of life for and/or serving as a role model for women of color

Nominations must be submitted on or before November 14, 2025. Learn more about the 2026 WOCAP Day Awards Program to be held on March 20, 2026 at: https://aarc.upenn.edu/women-color/women-color-awards.

—Women of Color Executive Planning Committee 

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

As of November 1, 2025, Penn is transitioning the Vendor Security Technical Assessment of Risk (V-STAR) process from being a Word document into an automated online solution, using the Risk Cloud software. V-STAR is an extremely important function for assessing security and privacy risk to Penn data when stored in external, third-party systems.  Any vendor that will store or transmit moderate or high-risk data (according to Penn’s Data Risk Classification scheme, located here:  https://isc.upenn.edu/security/penn-data-risk-classification) should complete the V-STAR process.

As part of the transition, the V-STAR questions are being revised.  The revised questionnaire and new software will have several benefits:

• V-STAR responses can be stored, so Penn community members can see if a V-STAR has already been completed for a particular vendor.
• A workflow for assessment of vendor responses will be deployed, so V-STAR responses do not have to be transmitted via e-mail or Secure Share.
• Attachments can be included, such as a SOC2 Type II report, that verify a service provider’s security controls, or other documentation from the vendor.
• Aggregate reporting on V-STAR responses can be conducted.

The new system can be accessed from the V-STAR webpage here: https://isc.upenn.edu/security/vstar

The new V-STAR application is sponsored by the Office of Information Security, in consultation with the Privacy Office and Penn Procurement Services.  For any questions, please contact ASK_TPRM@lists.upenn.edu.

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For additional tips, see the One Step Ahead link on the Information Security website: https://isc.upenn.edu/security/news-alerts%23One-Step-Ahead.