The Linda Ye and Robin Ren Family Foundation Funds State-of-the-Art Spectroscopy Facility

The Linda Ye and Robin Ren Family Foundation has made a gift to the School of Arts & Sciences and Penn Engineering that funds the construction of a state-of-the-art nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) facility—which includes a suite, instrumentation lab, and office—in the Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology (VLEST).

“The Linda Ye and Robin Ren Family Foundation's gift will have a lasting impact on advancing research in energy and sustainability,” said Steven J. Fluharty, Dean and Thomas S. Gates, Jr. Professor of Psychology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience. “These spaces will provide scientists with access to cutting-edge technology and high-performance instruments that will play a key role in groundbreaking collaborative projects.”

“We are excited to support the Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology at Penn,” said Ye and Ren. “Science and engineering are at the heart of creating innovative solutions to the world's energy challenges. We cannot wait to see the breakthroughs and positive impacts on humanity coming out of the lab.”

Plans are for the NMR suite to eventually contain two spectrometers, one of which is equipped to handle solid-state samples—a capability not found elsewhere in the Philadelphia region—and for the adjoining instrument lab to house additional equipment to aid in the study of materials’ composition and structure. Technical staff will occupy the attached office, providing support for instrumentation and hands-on training sessions for students. The entire Penn research community would have access to the equipment.

“This shared facility will be the embodiment of Penn's collaborative approach to tackling the problems facing our environment,” said Vijay Kumar, Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn Engineering. “With this exciting gift, we will nucleate exciting new partnerships between our two schools and harness this powerful technology for the benefit of our planet.”

The Linda Ye and Robin Ren Family Foundation is dedicated to supporting research that addresses climate change, helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds access and afford a college education, and increasing the understanding of Asian health needs. The Foundation has previously generously supported undergraduate financial aid and the China Education Initiative, as well as Amy Gutmann Hall, which serves as a hub for cross-disciplinary collaborations that harness expertise, research, and data.

Linda Ye, PAR'24, is a member of the Parent Leadership Committee. Robin Ren, C'95, EE'95, PAR'24, is a member of the School of Arts & Sciences Board of Advisors, the Parent Leadership Committee, the Undergraduate Financial Aid Leadership Council, and the Engineering Technical Advisory Board. He also serves as Director of the Linda Ye and Robin Ren Family Foundation.