Contents
Contents Dean’s Column
Penn Arts & Sciences Magazine is published by The School of Arts and Sciences Office of Advancement Editorial Offices School of Arts and Sciences University of Pennsylvania 3615 Market Street Floor 2 Philadelphia, PA 19104-6318
Building on Strength
Journal
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Nanotechnology Opens
16
Visual Studies Celebrates 10Years at Penn Angela Duckworth Awarded MacArthur “Genius Grant”
Steven J. Fluharty Dean, School of Arts and Sciences
Bioethics for Undergrads Martha Farah to Direct New
Loraine Terrell Executive Director of Communications
SUSAN AHLBORN Associate Editor HEIDI SMITH Assistant Editor Matthew Leake Art Director Kate Cassidy Designer
Change of address Alumni: visit QuakerNet, Penn’s online community at www.alumniconnections.com/ penn. Non-alumni: e-mail Development and Alumni Records at record@ben.dev. upenn.edu or call 215-898-8136. The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds. The University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class status in the administration of its admissions, financial aid, educational or athletic programs, or other University-administered programs or in its employment practices. Questions or complaints regarding this policy should be directed to the Executive Director of the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs, Sansom Place East, 3600 Chestnut Street, Suite 228, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6106; or (215) 898-6993 (Voice) or (215) 898-7803 (TDD).
Neuroscience Program Two Students Win
22
International Reporting
26
Fellowships
Findings
Features A Personal History: Stephanie McCurry connects to the past
10
5
An Urban Ethnologist Gets Cornered Tackling Rare Earth Elements in the F Block
by Susan Ahlborn
Democracy Is Not Enough
Growing up in a Green World: Plant Developmental Biologist Scott Poethig
16
The Character of an Instrument Better Biology Through Math
Special Section
by Mark Wolverton
Justice by the Numbers: Criminologist John MacDonald on the Power of Policy
Partners & Progress
22 Faculty opinion
by Blake Cole
30
Crime and Health
The Teachable Moment: Sociologist Tukufu Zuberi Invites Audiences Along on Scholarly Adventures by Loraine Terrell
26
With Class
32
Variations on a Theme
Movers & Quakers
34
Reel Talk: Tom Heller
Last Look Cover Illustration: Matthew Leake
2
2
Krishna P. Singh Center for
Phone: 215-898-5162 Fax: 215-573-2096 E-mail: pennsas@sas.upenn.edu
Blake Cole Editor
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“The Music of the Spheres” Penn Arts & Sciences Magazine