Read the news articles below to learn more about what our students are up to in the world of undergraduate research, fellowships, and scholars programs! This is a great way to learn more about the types of research and fellowships students are participating in.
Designing Through Data
Phoebe Anagnos ('28), an Architecture and Earth and Environmental Science double major, conducted research on natural materials that could be used to replace carbon-emissive materials with mentorship from Dr. Laia Mogas-Soldevila (Department of Architecture). This research was supported by the Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program.
The Beauty of the Brain
Chidinma Esielem ('27), a student in the College of Arts and Sciences, investigated possible links between sleep disturbances and brain pathologies indicative of Alzheimer’s disease with mentorship from Dr. Shinjae Chung (Department of Neuroscience). This research was supported by the Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program.
Penn fourth-year Florence Onyiuke named a 2026 Rhodes Scholar
Onyiuke has been awarded a 2026 Rhodes Scholarship, which funds tuition and a living stipend for graduate study at the University of Oxford in England. She is among 32 American Rhodes Scholars and an expected 100 worldwide.
Redefining Healthcare Research and Rethinking My Goals
Lily Parsels ('28), a Bioengineering major, conducted research with Dr. Bhatia Aashim (Department of Radiology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) on how virtual reality can be utilized to improve patient care. This research was supported by the Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program.
Understanding International Law Through Research
Clement Tsao ('28), a student in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Jason Tu (‘27), an Economics major, conducted research with Prof. Jacques deLisle (Penn Carey Law) on contemporary Chinese law and politics. This research was supported by the Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program.
Designing Stretchable Materials for Space Antennas
Enya Cao (’28), a Physics and Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics double major, explored how kirigami-inspired geometries can be used to design stretchable mechanical metamaterials for future space antennas and better space communications. She conducted her research with the mentorship of Dr. Igor Bargatin and PhD student Gulzhan Aldan. Enya was supported by the University Scholars program.
The Life Cycle of a Manuscript
Samantha Hsiung (‘27), an English and Economics double major, was an intern for Penn Press, the publishing arm of the university. This internship was supported by the Summer Humanities Internship Program.
From Analyzing Data to Meaningful Conversations
Nicollette Hillman (‘28), Affan Jabbar (‘27), Bria Morgan (‘28), and Sadie Daniels (‘28) conducted research with Dr. Sara Jaffee (Department of Psychology) on the PHLHousing+ Study. In the United States, only one in four households experiencing housing cost burden (defined as spending over 30% of household income on rent) receive rental assistance. PHLHousing+ is a direct rental assistance pilot program designed to address this gap by providing cash payments to 300 Philadelphia families. This research was supported by the Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program.
Not the Ordinary Ordinate: My Summer of Superordinates
Izzy Chapman ('28), a Linguistics major, conducted research on the relationship between language and cognition with the mentorship of Dr. Anna Papafragou. Izzy’s research was supported by the University Scholars program.
Combining Curiosity with Persistence
Samuel Dago Fernandez ('28), a Neuroscience major, conducted research with Dr. Joe Cichon (Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care) on the impact of psychedelics on chronic pain. This research was supported by the Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program.
A Behind-the-Scenes View of Penn's Art
Nina Mayers ('28), a History of Art major, was an intern for the Penn Art Collection. The University of Pennsylvania Art Collection contains more than 8,000 art objects, which have significant aesthetic, historical, and market value. This internship was supported by the Summer Humanities Internship Program.