Penn Arts and Sciences Names Lauren Sallan the Martin Meyerson Assistant Professor in Interdisciplinary Studies

Lauren Sallan, Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Science, has been named the Martin Meyerson Assistant Professor in Interdisciplinary Studies. Sallan is a scholar of paleobiology and paleontology. Her research, which uses the fossil record of fishes as a database to investigate macroevolutionary trends, aims to understand the long-term effects of global events including mass extinction, ecological dynamics, and environmental change. Worldwide interest in her research is reflected in her selection as one of 15 TED Fellows in 2017. Sallan has published research articles in Science, PNAS, Current Biology, and Biological Reviews, and currently serves as Associate Editor of the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. At Penn, she is a member of the Dean’s planning committee on Quantitative Explorations of Evolving Systems.

This chair was endowed by Margy Ellin Meyerson, G’93, in memory of her husband, Penn President Emeritus Martin Meyerson, HON’70. President Meyerson was a distinguished teacher, administrator, and urban planner who served as University president from 1970-81. The chair is specifically designated for an outstanding faculty member whose pursuits exemplify the integration of knowledge.

Arts & Sciences News

Mark Trodden named Dean of Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences

A distinguished physicist and accomplished academic leader, Trodden will assume the role on June 1.

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2025 School of Arts & Sciences Teaching Awards Announced

Penn Arts & Sciences annually recognizes faculty, lecturers, and graduate students for their exemplary teaching. This year’s honorees come from 10 departments and two programs.

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2025 College of Arts & Sciences Graduation Speakers

Michael Platt, James S. Riepe University Professor, will speak at this year’s College of Arts & Sciences graduation ceremony, along with student speaker Anthony Wong, C’25, Sunday, May 18, at 6:30 p.m. on Franklin Field.

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Three from Penn Arts & Sciences Elected 2024 AAAS Fellows

They include Marlyse Baptista, President’s Distinguished Professor of Linguistics; M. Susan Lindee is the Janice and Julian Bers Professor of History and Sociology of Science; and Christopher Murray, Richard Perry University Professor.

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Penn Arts & Sciences Receives $8 Million Commitment from The Robert K. Johnson Foundation

The gift will name and endow the Integrated Studies Program, which offers an immersive, interdisciplinary learning experience for Benjamin Franklin Scholars students pursuing degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences.

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Kimberly Bowes Named BFC Presidential Professor of Classical Studies

Bowes' research interests include Roman archaeology and economic history, with a particular focus on the lived experiences of the ancient poor.

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