Penn-UCSB Team Clarifies Purpose of Iridescent Structures in Giant Clams

A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California, Santa Barbara, has shown how giant clams use iridescent structures, the purpose of which was unknown before. The structures enable symbiotic algae on clam shells to absorb the ideal amount of light for them to thrive and serve as efficient food for the clam. Their findings could have implications for alternative energy research.

At Penn, the study was led by Alison Sweeney, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy. It was published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface.

Read the full story here.

Arts & Sciences News

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Tej Patel, C’25, W’25, and Sridatta Teerdhala, C’25, W’25, Selected as Marshall Scholars

The students, both part of the Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management, will receive funding for up to three years of graduate study in the United Kingdom.

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$50 Million Legacy Gift to Penn Arts & Sciences Funds Undergraduate Aid

With an estate gift of more than $42 million, William J. Levy, a graduate of the Wharton School and Law School, has contributed $50 million in support of undergraduate students in the College.

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Jeffrey Kallberg Named Interim Dean of Penn Arts & Sciences

Kallberg, Deputy Dean and William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Music, will step into the role as of January 1, 2025.

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Josephine Nock-Hee Park Named Associate Dean for Arts and Letters

The School of Arts and Sciences President’s Distinguished Professor of English will oversee the School’s humanities departments and research centers.

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2024 Making a Difference in Global Communities and Klein Family Social Justice Grants Announced

The funding went to 11 projects from faculty in nine Penn Arts & Sciences departments, with work focusing on everything from better crime policy to a philosopher-in-residence program and psychology education in middle schools.

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Bo Zhen Named Jin K. Lee Presidential Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy

Zhen’s research focuses on the study of electromagnetic waves, such as light, in engineered environments.

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