Penn Making History with ARRA

August 12, 2009

First, the good news:

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) (www.recovery.gov) has just awarded Penn more than $30 million to fund over 100 scientific research projects in robotics, gene therapy, public education, and more -- as part of the largest increase in basic funding in the history of federally funded scientific research.

And now, the really good news:

Assistant professor Katherine Kuchenbecker, one of Penn's youngest and most celebrated rising stars, is slated to receive $500,000 of ARRA money to continue her research.

Why is that really good news? It was an endowed assistant professorship which convinced Katherine to come to Penn in the first place. [read the full story]

Katherine's story is a terrific illustration of the power and example of investing -- in Penn, its faculty, and, most important, in its unique community of scholars. Recruiting and retaining superb faculty members, particularly in a highly competitive market, require the resources and distinction that can only be provided through endowed and term professorships. "From the beginning," says Katherine, "it was very clear that Penn was willing to invest in me and in my future. I interviewed at a lot of schools, and there are many great universities in the world, but Penn is truly special." [supporting Penn faculty] 

Kuchenbecker, the Skirkanich Assistant Professor of Innovation in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, works in the field of haptics, which involves human interaction with real, remote, and virtual objects through the sense of touch -- think: robot-assisted surgery, medical training and simulation, stroke rehabilitation.

She is also growing the field -- and the community of engineers -- with an active schedule this summer, inspiring high schoolers in Penn's IT and Robotics Summer Mentorship Program and Summer Academy in Applied Science & Technology, while giving invited talks and public lectures.

"[ARRA] has empowered the University's stellar research community to continue groundbreaking studies in medicine, engineering and the natural sciences that will ... empower faculty to make advances in the health and well being of people around the globe," Steven J. Fluharty, vice provost for research, said.

Kuckenbecker, who was drawn to Penn by rich opportunities for collaboration, would agree: "There's excellence across the board in all the different disciplines, departments, and schools that really makes it clear that you are part of a vibrant, multifaceted community."

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