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.
Unraveling Stress Signals: Exploring Brain Cells, Behaviors and Growth in the Lab
Sage Leland ('26), a Bioengineering major, researched the impacts of stress on specialized brain cells related to emotion and memory with the mentorship of Dr. Sanghee Yun and Dr. Amelia Eisch (Departments of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine and Neuroscience, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and The University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine). She was supported by the University Scholars program.
Cultivating Community
Jourdan Wright (‘27), a Communication major, was a digital content intern for BlackStar Projects, a non-profit film organization that uplifts Black, Brown, and Indigenous filmmakers and artists. This internship was supported by the Summer Humanities Internship Program.
Developing Hope in the Age of AI
Avia Weber (‘26), an International Relations and Psychology double major, studied the impact of artificial intelligence development programs led by the U.S. and China with mentorship from Dr. Valeriya Kamenova (Department of International Relations). This research was supported by the CURF Summer Research Funding Grant.
Discovering the Path of a Physician-Scientist
Jacob Cao (‘26), a Biology and Nutrition Science double major, investigated the influence of dietary sugars on the gut microbiome with mentorship from Dr. Aaron Hecht (now at the Mayo Clinic) and Dr. Gary Wu (Department of Gastroenterology). This research was supported by a College Alumni Society Undergraduate Research Grant.
Mapping the Mind
Sneha Chandrashekar ('27), a Neuroscience major, researched how transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) could be improved as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sneha recently presented her research at the 2025 Society for Neuroscience (SfN) conference in San Diego, CA. She conducted this project with the mentorship of Dr. Nicholas Balderston (Department of Psychiatry) and support from the University Scholars program.
Learning Through the Archives
Rodin Bantawa (‘27), a Psychology major, studied the intersections between identity, belonging, and colonialism with mentorship from Dr. Megan Robb (Department of Religious Studies). This research was supported by the Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program.
Getting Comfortable with the Unknown
Dhruv Goyal (‘27), a Computer Science major, researched ways to improve operating systems using machine learning with mentorship from Dr. Sebastian Angel (Department of Computer and Information Science). This research was supported by the Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program.
Bridging Research and Patient Care
Carlos Santana Velez (‘27), a student in the College of Arts and Sciences, conducted research on anti-amyloid therapies for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease with mentorship from Dr. Dawn Mechanic-Hamilton (Department of Neurology). This research was supported by the Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program.
From Life Science to Public Health: Broadening My Perspective on Research
Cecilia Lam (‘27), a Psychology major, researched child passenger safety and the impact of violence prevention programs with mentorship from Dr. Rachel Myers (Department of Pediatrics). This research was supported by the Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program.
A Summer of Studying Spines
Alexandra Baranyai ('28), a Biology and Health and Societies double major, spent the summer with Dr. Sarah Gullbrand (Department of Orthopaedic Surgery) studying spinal disc degeneration. Her research training experience was supported by the University Scholars program.
Two Penn students chosen as 2026 Marshall Scholars
Adelaide Lyall, a graduate student in the School of Social Policy & Practice, and Norah Rami, a fourth-year in the College of Arts & Sciences, will receive funding for as much as three years of graduate study in the United Kingdom.