Testing AI against public health’s existing tools Some of the study’s participants interacted with a chatbot that answered questions about the HPV vaccine, while others read standard public health materials about the vaccine.(Image: Sylvia Zhang) Testing AI against public health’s existing tools A collaborative research team at Penn looks at when, how, and to what extent AI enhances public health communications through a randomized controlled trial of AI-powered chatbots and parental vaccine hesitancies. 2 min. read
Designing for discovery: The landscape of Penn’s campus Image: Flying Monster Designing for discovery: The landscape of Penn’s campus A new book blends history, design, and environmental insight, inviting readers to see Penn’s campus—and campuses everywhere—in a new light. 2 min. read
The (nearly) Reverend Doctor Booker Vaughn Booker is the George E. Doty, Jr. & Lee Spelman Doty Presidential Associate Professor of Africana Studies(Image: Courtesy of Omnia) The (nearly) Reverend Doctor Booker Vaughn A. Booker, associate professor of Africana Studies in the School of Arts & Sciences, investigates the history and diversity of 20th-century African American religions. 2 min. read
Which state policies are actually working? Image: Urbanscape via iStock Which state policies are actually working? Penn IUR faculty fellow John Landis analyzed 25 years of land use, transportation, energy, and water conservation efforts across the United States. 2 min. read
Understanding the animal-human bond nocred Understanding the animal-human bond Lauren Powell, assistant professor of animal welfare and behavior, researches the science behind the benefits and challenges of pet ownership. 2 min. read
A ‘breakthrough’ to restore memory Michael Kahana and colleagues have created an implantable therapy device to treat memory loss in adult patients with traumatic brain injuries. Results of studies about the device’s effectiveness have been promising, and this past March the FDA gave it “Breakthrough Device Designation.”(Image: Or Barak) A ‘breakthrough’ to restore memory After decades of research and discovery, Michael Kahana in the School of Arts & Sciences and colleagues are closer than ever to an AI-guided device to treat memory loss. 2 min. read
A meeting of the minds drives discovery in the brain Penn Medicine’s Hongjun Song (left) and Guo-li Ming.(Image: Courtesy of Penn Medicine News) A meeting of the minds drives discovery in the brain A Penn Medicine couple’s mission to advance brain research using organoids lies in cross-disciplinary partnerships. 2 min. read
Paving the way for safer roads Philadelphia’s Roosevelt Boulevard.(Image: Julio Cortez via AP Images) Paving the way for safer roads An interdisciplinary team of Penn engineers and urban planners has taken an innovative approach to creating a drivable digital twin of Philadelphia’s Roosevelt Boulevard, a significant public health threat to the tens of thousands of people who use it each day. 2 min. read
How Vanessa Chan is training Ph.D. engineers for real-world impact Vanessa Chan is the Jonathan and Linda Brassington Practice Professor in Materials Science and Engineering and vice dean of innovation and entrepreneurship.(Image: Courtesy of Penn Engineering) How Vanessa Chan is training Ph.D. engineers for real-world impact The Jonathan and Linda Brassington Practice Professor in Materials Science and Engineering and vice dean of innovation and entrepreneurship is helping students to bridge the divide between technical excellence and real-world impact. 2 min. read
Can AI help cities get a handle on urban heat? (Image: Nathan Howard via AP Images) Can AI help cities get a handle on urban heat? Weitzman’s Xiaojiang Li is using artificial intelligence tools to provide more granular information about urban environments in order to optimize solutions for mitigating extreme heat. 2 min. read