2025 Inaugural Draw Down the Lightning Grantees

The AI Curriculum & Training Initiative advances a foundational AI curriculum to ensure the responsible and effective use of generative AI across Penn’s educational and administrative functions. Led by Information Systems & Computing (ISC), The Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Innovation (CETLI), and Penn Libraries, the program will offer live and asynchronous training sessions tailored for instructors and staff, covering AI literacy, practical applications for teaching and productivity, and ethical considerations. This interdisciplinary initiative advances Penn’s commitment to innovation and the importance of AI, fostering critical AI skills within the university and eventually sharing knowledge with the broader public. By equipping its community with essential AI competencies, Penn aims to lead in thoughtful, equitable, and impactful AI integration.

Project Leads:
Jaron Rhodes, Director of Communications, Information Systems and Computing (ISC)
Joshua Beeman, Associate Chief Information Officer, Information Systems and Computing (ISC)
Bruce Lenthall, Executive Director, Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Innovation (CETLI)
Emily Morton-Owens, Associate Vice Provost for Technology and Digital Initiatives, Penn Libraries

Truth and Disinformation in the Writing Arts is an interdisciplinary exploration of the role of the writing arts in truth-telling, examining how literature, journalism, and media can navigate and counteract disinformation. Through public forums, readings, workshops, and discussions, the project will investigate critical questions about the nature of truth, who defines it, and how it can be safeguarded in an era of political and digital upheaval. Addressing urgent challenges such as the collapse of fact-checking, media polarization, and AI-generated misinformation, the initiative aligns with Penn’s strategic priorities on democracy, truth, and trust. By leveraging creative and journalistic practices, the project seeks to develop innovative approaches to strengthening democratic values in an increasingly complex information landscape. 

Project Leads:
Julia Bloch (Creative Writing Program)
Andrew Beal (Kelly Writers House)
Al Filreis (Professor of English, Faculty Director of the Kelly Writers House, Director of the Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing)
Allison Katz (Kelly Writers House)
Jessica Lowenthal (Kelly Writers House)

The One Health Certificate Program will equip students and faculty with transdisciplinary skills to collaboratively address global health challenges at the intersection of human, animal, plant, and environmental health. By fostering cross-disciplinary engagement among undergraduates, graduates, and professionals, the program will cultivate a new generation of leaders prepared to tackle issues like antimicrobial resistance, emerging diseases, agricultural stewardship, and climate change. Recognized by global organizations, One Health is a crucial framework for solving complex health challenges, and Penn is uniquely positioned to lead in this space. This One Campus, One Health initiative aligns with Penn’s strategic vision by leveraging its interdisciplinary strengths to drive real-world impact and prepare students for solution-driven collaboration.

Project Leads:
Jennifer Punt, Associate Dean of One Health, Professor of Immunology (Penn Vet)
Julie Ellis, Faculty Director, Environmental Innovations Initiative (Penn Vet)
Brittany Watson, Clinical Educator Associate Professor, Director of Shelter Medicine and Community Engagement (Penn Vet)
Erick Gagne, Assistant Professor of Wildlife Disease Ecology (Penn Vet)
Brianna Parsons, Lecturer in Sustainable Agriculture (Penn Vet)
Elizabeth Woodward, Clinical Associate Professor (Penn Vet)
Hillary Nelson, Director, Penn MPH Program, Associate Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics and Family Medicine & Community Health (Penn Medicine)
Ricardo Castillo-Neyra, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology (Penn Medicine)

The Penn Commonwealth Engaged Scholars (PCES) Program seeks to advance Penn’s role as an anchored, interwoven, and engaged institution that leverages its research, teaching, and service to address pressing challenges across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Through a statewide tour and a yearlong community of practice, Penn faculty and staff selected through a competitive application will explore the diverse communities of Pennsylvania. PCES will enhance understanding of regional needs and reinforce Penn’s role as a statewide resource. The initiative will explore issues such as economic revitalization, environmental sustainability, and access to essential services in urban and rural areas. Penn Commonwealth Engaged Scholars may apply for pilot grants to facilitate purposeful and longer-term engagement with communities in our state. In doing so, Penn will strengthen its leadership, build trust with local communities, and demonstrate its commitment to serving Pennsylvania.

Project Leads: 
Lia Howard, Fellows Director & Director of Political Empathy Lab SNF Paideia Program
Antonia M. Villarruel, Professor and Margaret Bond Simon Dean of Nursing
Michael Smith, Senior Director of Commonwealth Relations, Office of Government and Community Affairs
F. Hoopes Wampler, Senior Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations

Penn plays a vital role as an anchor institution in Philadelphia, contributing significantly to the local economy, employment, and urban development. Penn as an Anchor Institution seeks to redefine Penn’s anchor responsibilities for the 21st century by researching best practices, engaging stakeholders, and developing strategies that align with the university’s evolving role in both local and global communities. Key initiatives include surveys, roundtable discussions with peer institutions, a new course on anchor institutions, and the dissemination of findings through publications and reports. By expanding and modernizing its approach, Penn reaffirms its principles as an anchored, interwoven, and engaged university and advances its role as a leader in community engagement, economic impact, and institutional responsibility. 

Project Leads: 
Eugenie L. Birch, Lawrence C. Nussdorf Professor, Weitzman School of Design and Co-Director Penn Institute for Urban Research
Patrick Brennan, Professor of Medicine, Perlelman School of Medicine; Chief Medical Officer, Senior Vice President, University of Pennsylvania Health System
Anthony Sorrentino, Associate Vice President, Office of the Executive Vice President
Susan Wachter, Albert Sussman Professor of Real Estate, Co-Director, Penn Institute for Urban Research

When people connect with nature, they discover its beauty and their role in protecting it for future generations. Accessing Nature fosters a sense of stewardship and curiosity about the natural world, ultimately improving the health of others and the environment. In collaboration with the Urban Wildlife Information Network (UWIN) and local partners, the project will deploy trail cameras across the city to collect wildlife data, contributing to global ecological research on climate change and urbanization. Through experiential education and community engagement, the initiative reconnects residents with the urban ecosystem, promotes environmental awareness, strengthens Penn’s local and global connections, and supports its climate and sustainability priorities. By integrating scientific research with cultural and social engagement, the project empowers communities to participate in conservation efforts and build a healthier, more sustainable urban environment. 

Project Leads:
Julie C. Ellis, Wildlife Ecologist, Wildlife Futures Program
Karen Verderame, Assistant Director of Outreach Education, Penn Vet Shelter Medicine and Community Engagement
Brock Geary, Quantitative Disease Ecologist, Wildlife Futures Program
Brooke Ezzo, Communications Coordinator, Wildlife Futures Program
Erica Miller, Field Operations Manager, Wildlife Futures Program

Gun violence is both a social and public health crisis, and the arts can play a powerful role in raising awareness and inspiring action. Last year, Penn Live Arts concluded its season-long programming arc, Toll the Bell: A Cry for Peace, with a large-scale sound installation across 44 regional houses of worship, honoring gun violence victims and calling attention to those working toward change. This year, Penn Live Arts is expanding on this impactful program by co-commissioning a new music-focused work interpreting and responding to themes related to this critical issue. Performances of the new piece will take place on and around June 6, 2025, National Gun Violence Awareness Day-- in concert with and adjacent to the city-wide sound installation. This project addresses a major challenge for Philadelphia and the US as a whole: issues of health and democracy as embedded in the gun violence crisis. Through this work, Penn Live Arts seeks to lead a collective dialogue on these urgent issues while advancing Penn’s role as an engaged university by strengthening connections with local and regional partners. 

Project Leads:
Kristin Winch, Director of Development, Penn Live Arts
Christopher Gruits, Executive & Artistic Director, Penn Live Arts
Leah Falk, Director of Education & Engagement, Penn Live Arts
Rebecca Goering, Director of Marketing & Communications, Penn Live Arts

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not only a growing public health concern and the ninth leading cause of death in the US, but one that robs those who suffer from it the ability to enjoy the healing power of flavorful food. Kidney Health on a Plate seeks to bridge the gap between well-established health guidance and community understanding for how to best treat CKD and live a vibrant life despite the condition. The project will produce a unique mini-series, inspired by popular cooking shows (e.g., MasterChef), to create flavorful recipes with kidney-friendly nutritional value. This initiative addresses a major health challenge while showcasing how culturally relevant, engaging, and accessible approaches can strengthen connections between healthcare providers and communities. Ultimately, Kidney Health on a Plate aims to cultivate a renewed sense of connection between Penn and its Philadelphia neighbors.

Project Leads:
Daniel Dai ’25 (SAS)
Junle (Richard) Chen ’25 (SAS)
Elliot Kim ’25 (SAS)
Aylin Ergin ’25 (SAS)
Sean Park ’25 (SAS)
Jiayi Pang, 26 (SAS)

Communities in developing countries face urgent health challenges that demand innovative solutions and dedicated expertise. Wharton Global Health Volunteers (WGHV) is a student-run organization that engages MBA students to tackle global health challenges in developing countries through pro-bono consulting projects, addressing global health challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. Student teams collaborate on strategic initiatives, engaging directly with clients to maximize impact. By tackling major health challenges, it promotes equity and affirms Penn’s leadership in public health innovation. WGHV also strengthens community through its diverse participants, promotes leadership and service, and fosters global connections with projects across the developing world.

Project Lead:
Katie Tsui, WG’25 (Wharton)

No one should have to struggle to access the support they need to thrive. Ensuring efficient access to essential resources strengthens communities and reduces poverty. Philly BENefits Partnership is a real-world research and policy laboratory, in collaboration between Penn and the City of Philadelphia, to increase access to benefits for low-income and underserved communities and reduce poverty across Philadelphia. The initiative will test and refine enrollment strategies, expand benefits access, and leverage government data to better serve individuals and families. Findings will be shared through a policy brief and stakeholder meetings to ensure long-term sustainability. By combining interdisciplinary expertise from across Penn with data-driven solutions, this initiative strengthens Penn’s role as an engaged and committed community partner and a national leader in poverty reduction research. 

Project Lead:
Julia Hinckley, JD, Director of Policy Strategy, LDI (Wharton)
Rachel Werner, MD, PhD, Executive Director, LDI and Professor of Medicine (PSOM)

The Penn International Climate Policy Observatory strengthens Penn’s leadership in international climate policy by bridging the gap between researchers and policymakers and establishing the Penn International Climate Academy to train climate negotiators, particularly from developing nations. Through accessible research summaries, multimedia outreach, and targeted training modules, the initiative enhances global climate governance while advancing Penn’s interdisciplinary engagement and global impact. Penn will lead on one of the greatest challenges of our time by serving as the leading source of academic expertise and practical training to multilateral climate policy, including and especially Council of Parties (COP), the annual meeting of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Project Lead:
Scott Moore, Director of China Programs and Strategic Initiatives, Penn Global; Practice Professor of Political Science.

The New Mind Workshop series, hosted by the Linguistics Society @ Penn in Spring 2025, will equip language and cognition scientists with essential skills for researching LLM-based agents from a non-computational perspective. Featuring expert speakers and interactive materials, the series will culminate in the Research Question Incubator, an interdisciplinary, hackathon-style event where students and faculty collaborate on AI safety projects. This initiative fosters cross-disciplinary learning, innovation, and leadership and promotes responsible AI development. Interested students and faculty can find more information about the AI4Good Research Incubator event and register themselves and/or their teams on this link.

Project Lead:
Nikola Datkova, CAS’25 (SAS)