The Year Of Comics At Penn
p 3
p 4
p 8
Class
From
Behind the
standout
Neptune
sphinx
PennCurrent
News, Ideas and Conversations from the University of Pennsylvania October 30, 2008
ART
Race and the
The Year of Comics at Penn
2008 election
BY HEATHER A. DAVIS
This May 1962
The nomination of Barack Obama as the Demo-
Arcade #22 cover, by
cratic Party’s Presidential candidate has been
Robert and Charles
hailed as the beginning of the “post-racial” time
Crumb, is one of the
items on display in
in American politics.
the Institute of Con-
But it seems unlikely that America is truly mov-
temporary Art show,
ing in that direc-
“R. Crumb’s Under-
tion, says Rogers
POLITICS
ground,” which runs
Smith, the Chris-
through Dec. 7.
topher H. Browne
Distinguished Pro-
fessor of Political
Science.
BY HEATHER A.
and at other times,
“I don’t think
DAVIS
very exaggerated
we’re in a post-
and cartoon-like. “If
racial era,” said
Galleries and class-
you were to look at
Smith, speaking
rooms around Penn
his work in terms of
on Oct. 21 as part
are filled with images
drawing, in terms of
of the Penn Sci-
of both classic comic
social satire, he has
ence Café lecture
book superheores
an amazing hand,”
series. “[But] one
and the subversive
says Porter, who or-
can see for the
antiheroes of the
ganized the exhibit,
first time how we might get there.”
comics of the 60s
which is on loan
Smith, a scholar whose research centers on
and 70s, animation
from the Yerba Bue-
American political thought and modern legal
from both small and
na Center for the
and political theory, with special interests in citi-
big studios and even
Arts. “I think there
zenship, race, ethnicity and gender, thinks it’s un-
a high-definition vid-
are certain factions
likely that Obama, if elected, will be able to mend
eo screened at the
that work very hard
racial divisions. The faltering economy, Smith says,
Venice Biennale.
to get accepted in
“may work against his ability to be a President that
The year of com-
the art world. I don’t
moves us into a post-racial era.”
ics, animation and
think it’s important
“To imagine [full economic recovery] is go-
graphic novels at Penn is underway—and events and exhibits
[to Crumb] because he does what he wants to do and he doesn’t
ing to happen takes the audacity of hope,” Smith
through the spring of 2009 showcase the diverse genres and
make apologies for it.”
quipped, playing on the title of Obama’s 2006
techniques found in these art forms.
This show (which contains some adult
book.
On display now through Dec. 7 at the In-
material) couldn’t be more different from
Smith, who is working on a study with Oxford’s
stitute of Contemporary Art is “R. Crumb’s “He does what he wants the ICA’s winter show—Joshua Mosley’s
Desmond King on “racial orders” in American
Underground,” a collection of comic book
mixed media video and sculpture installa-
politics, told the audience there have been three
strips, sketches and covers from Philadel-
to do and he doesn’t tion, “dread,” which debuted at the 2007
distinct racial eras in U.S. political history: The
phia native-turned influential comic satirist,
Venice Biennale.
antebellum period, where slavery was the domi-
make apologies for it.”
R. Crumb. The show features stories from as
Mosley, the interim chair of Penn’s Un-
nating issue; the late 1800’s through the 1960’s,
early as the 1960s, as well as drawings that ex-
dergraduate Fine Arts Department and an
where segregation was front and center; and the
plore some of the artist’s traditional themes: Self-deprecating
associate professor who teaches courses in animation and digi-
1970’s through present day.
takes on sex, race and his own identity, as well as straight stories
tal media, constructed clay and resin figures, which he then
In our modern era, Smith explained, the de-
and drawings about the lives of early blues musicians.
scanned three-dimensionally. The figures are animated within
bate pits the support of race-consciousness gov-
ICA Associate Curator Jenelle Porter says Crumb has a re-
six enhanced black-and-white digital photographs. The anima-
ernment measures such as Affirmative Action
markable drawing style—one that is sometimes photo-realistic,
tion is set to an original score composed by Mosley.
against the notion that society should be, in effect,
...Continued on page 3
...Continued on page 7
Making a difference in the fight against AIDS
BY TIM HYLAND
“It was almost like you had been invit-
a day to try and get the epidemic under
ed into somebody’s home after there had
control—simply didn’t see what good
Greg Bisson left for Botswana five years
been some huge tragedy,” says Bisson, a se-
those researchers were doing, at least not
ago as an ambitious young epidemiologist
nior scholar in Penn’s Center for Clinical
in the short term.
with plans on making a real contribution
Epidemiology and Biostatistics and an as-
It’s safe to say the clinicians who once
to the massive fight there against HIV and
sistant professor of medicine and epidemi-
harbored such doubts about Bisson, and
AIDS.
ology in the Department of Medicine. “It’s
his work, have changed their minds.
But when
not the most comfortable interaction.”
Over the past few years, Bisson has
Q&A/GREG BISSON
Bisson actu-
The problem, Bisson says, was that by
emerged as one of the most accomplished
ally met with
the time he arrived, Botswana was home
and important researchers in his field, au-
the clinicians struggling to treat Botswana’s
to scores of other university researchers
thoring two key studies that are already
millions of AIDS patients, he found that
who, just like him, were trying to offer
helping doctors more easily track, and more
his presence wasn’t necessarily welcomed.
something to the anti-AIDS effort.
effectively treat, the millions of patients re-
At best, he remembers, he was viewed with
It was just that the on-the-ground doc-
ceiving life-saving antiretroviral therapy.
a
r
l
o
i
C
skepticism.
tors—the ones treating up to 50 patients
...Continued on page 6
a
c
e
d
a
n
d
C
For more news and events, visit the Penn Digest at www.upenn.edu/pennnews/digest.
2 October 30, 2008
PennCurrent
PennCurrent
October 30, 2008 3
BY THE NUMBERS:
How do I get Penn basketball tickets?
The Palestra
Dear Benny,
ing on the opponent. “If it’s a Big Five game,
tors. In order to receive a promotional item,
I am a big fan of both the women and men’s
it’s going to be a little trickier [to get tickets]
children must have a ticket.
basketball team and would like to cheer on my
than if it’s Cornell,” he says.
The box office sells tickets to Penn events
beloved Quakers at home games. What’s the best
Student tickets for the Student Section,
only. Tickets to all other games being played
way to get tickets to Penn basketball games at The
on the upper level west side of The Palestra,
by other institutions at The Palestra must
Palestra?
can also be purchased at the Ticket Of-
be purchased through those institutions’
—#1 Quaker Fan
fice, or at the Student Entrance at the
ticket offices. St. Joseph’s, while its Alumni
back of The
Memorial Fieldhouse is being renovated and
Dear Quaker Enthusiast,
Palestra, on
expanded, will play their home games at
ASK BENNY
Most of the home games played by Penn’s
game night
The Palestra this year. If you would like
33 men and women’s intercollegiate sports
for $7. Stu-
to attend a St. Joe’s game at The Pal-
teams can be attended for free, but tickets
dent tickets are not required
estra (versus an opponent other than
Penn’s college basketball season kicked off
are required for men and women’s hoops.
for women’s games. Students
Penn), you must go through their
Oct. 17 with The Line, the University’s own
Tickets can be purchased in person at the
can simply show their Penn
ticket office.
version of Midnight Madness, traditionally
Penn Athletic Ticket Office, on 33rd Street
ID. Children two years of
held nationwide to celebrate the first practice
between Walnut and Spruce streets, Monday
age and younger do not
GOT A QUESTION FOR BENNY?
of the college basketball season. The Penn
through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets can
need a ticket to enter The
Send it via e-mail to current
women play their first home game against
also be purchased over the phone at 215-898-
Palestra. They must be seated
@pobox.upenn.edu or via regular
Villanova on Nov. 19 at the storied Palestra
6151, or online at www.pennathletics.com.
on a parent or guardian’s lap
mail to the Current, 200 Sansom
and the men follow suit Nov. 22 versus Mon-
Pete Derstine, a Ticket Office associate,
and not interfere with the
Place East, 3600 Chestnut Street,
mouth.
says tickets can sell out pretty fast, depend-
sight lines of other specta-
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6106.
In this edition of By The Numbers, we
take a tour of the “Cathedral of College Bas-
ketball” and its amazing 81 years.
1927
Seeking new menopause therapies
Year in which The Pal-
estra opened. It was
BY GREG JOHNSON
named by Greek professor Wil iam N.
Bates. In ancient Greece, young men would
The menopausal transition—or “The
compete in a variety of events in a rectan-
Change”—can cause any number of uncom-
gular enclosure—a palestra.
fortable symptoms in women.
With an average onset of age
51, menopause can trigger hot
52 Number of NCAA tournament
RESEARCH
games played at The Palestra.
flashes, sleep problems, mood
changes, depression, irritability and a de-
crease in libido.
But while all women are susceptible to
9,000 Seating capacity of
The Palestra.
these sometimes severe symptoms, few ef-
fective and safe treatments have been de-
veloped. The National Institutes of Health
2 Number of times a new floor has
been instal ed at The Palestra, once
is addressing this dilemma by launching the
in 1985 and again this past summer. Athlet-
Menopause Strategies: Finding Lasting An-
ic Director Steve Bilsky told phil y.com the
swers for Symptoms and Health (MsFLASH)
floor was replaced for safety reasons.
initiative, a new multi-center study to con-
duct clinical trials of promising new meno-
pausal treatments, of which the Penn School
of Medicine is part.
1939 Year in which the first
NCAA championship
Ellen W. Freeman, research professor
game was played at The Palestra.
and co-director of the Human Behavior and
Reproduction Unit in Obstetrics and Gyne-
cology at the University, is heading the Penn
6 Ranking of The Palestra by Sports Il-
lustrated in its list of Top 10 Col ege
segment of the study, which will address hot
Sports Venues. The magazine cal ed it a
flashes, the primary complaint of nearly
“historical gem.”
three-quarters of menopausal women.
“What we’re looking at is what are asso-
ciations between reproductive hormones
and symptoms that arise around the time of
Penn’s MsFLASH study, set to begin in
2006 Year in which the docu-
mentary “The Palestra:
menopause,” she says.
Penn has joined a
June 2009, will look at medicated and non-
Cathedral of Basketbal ,” by former Penn
Freeman says the actual cause of hot flash-
medicated approaches to treating hot flash-
basketbal player Mikaelyn Austin, was re-
es is unknown, but a common theory is that
national study to discover,
es. It will utilize escitalopram, a selective se-
leased. It was picked as the “Festival Favor-
they involve thermo-regulatory control in the
rotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) marketed
ite” at the 2007 Philadelphia Film Festival.
develop and analyze
brain, which may be affected by changes in
as Lexapro and prescribed to treat anxiety or
reproductive hormone levels. Reports from
depression.
new treatments for
the Study of Women’s Health Across the
“The reason for looking at that is sero-
Nation have shown that African-American
menopause.
tonin is known to affect various mood issues,”
women experience more hot flashes than
Freeman says. “There may be some connec-
PennCurrent Caucasian women, and Asian women suffer quality of life in postmenopausal women, tion with these menopausal hot flashes as
fewer hot flashes than both.
have warned of some increased health risks
well. We predict that people treated with
www.upenn.edu/pennnews/current
Estradiol, a form of estrogen, is currently
of taking hormone therapy, including higher
Lexapro will have fewer hot flashes.”
the only Food and Drug Administration-ap-
rates of breast cancer and cardiovascular dis-
Yoga, relaxation breathing, exercise pro-
Editor
proved treatment for hot flashes, Freeman
ease, which has caused some women to avoid
grams and other forms of drug-free treat-
says. More effective treatments have not been
using the drug.
ments will also be studied. Freeman says
researched because the drug, which has been
The drug has some unpleasant side ef-
yoga is being examined because it is a good
Managing Editor
used for decades, is so effective.
fects, too. Estradiol can cause prolonged
relaxation technique.
But it may not be without its faults. Recent
periods, breast pain, breast enlargement,
“There’s some evidence that tension and
Staff Writer
findings by the NIH’s Women’s Health Initia-
changes in libido (decrease or increase), ab-
anxiety make these things worse so yoga is
tive, launched in 1991 to address the most
dominal pain, migraine headaches and eye
probably very good for relaxing and maybe
Designer
common causes of death, disability and poor
irritation.
will help reduce hot flashes,” she says.
200 Sansom Place East
3600 Chestnut Street
QUOTED RECENTLY
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6106
e-mail: current@pobox.upenn.edu
Penn Current is published biweekly from September through
“Being a 14-year-old girl is difficult under the best of circumstances. A lot of her
May and monthly in June and July by the Office of University
Communications, University of Pennsylvania
[healing] depends on what happens with her from here on out.”
Executive Editor
Debra Schil ing Wolfe, executive director at Penn’s Field Center, on the outlook for a Seattle teen-
V.P. for Communications
age girl who was found starved with rotten teeth, and living on half a Dixie cup of water per day
Distribution is free throughout the University.
(Seattle Times, Oct. 15, 2008).
2 October 30, 2008
PennCurrent
PennCurrent
October 30, 2008 3
Comics/From page 1
STAFF Q&A
ing through a lot of music.
Mike Vasilikos is the new
This place gets a ton of CDs,
man behind the microphone
so it’s really filtering through
a lot of the new music that
at WXPN. As Assistant
comes in. If things stick
Music Director, he’ll also play
out, I’ll pull them aside and
some of the new stuff for
a big role in determining
r
(
2
0
0
8
)
Dan.
l
l
e
c
t
o
which records hit the
I’ll also maintain rela-
o
tionships with records labels,
f
a
C
airwaves, and which
promoters, all those kinds
i
r
t
h
o
ones don’t.
of folks that are working
the records, so I’ll be taking
t
t
s
c
h
a
l
k
,
B
music calls. Lending a hand
o
BY HEATHER A. DAVIS
wherever I can, I guess.
r
e
a
G
n
d
A
If the staff of WXPN likes a record, it gets
The Rare Books & Manuscript Library hosts
Q So are you and Dan
played on the air.
[Reed] in an enviable
“Life in Boxes” through March 22.
It’s really that simple, says Mike Vasi-
position of being the first people
likos, the station’s brand-new assistant
to listen to the music that comes
“Crumb and Mosley couldn’t be further
music director and on-air host.
into the station?
apart,” says Porter, who says the ICA show will
This independent spirit and willing-
be the first time “dread” will be shown locally.
A
ness to bet on and nurture new artists is
What I’ve noticed is
that it’s very collabora-
a
r
k
S
t
e
h
l
e
M
“It’s really, really beautiful. It’s a really precise
part of what makes ’XPN different from
tive. Everybody on the staff is
animation style.”
commercial radio stations. It’s also what
pretty active when it comes
MIKE VASILIKOS
Porter says it’s serendipity that they occur
drew Vasilikos to non-commercial (or non-
to music. It’s very collabora-
Position: Assistant Music Director, WXPN
in conjunction with other related exhibits
comm) radio. Before joining ‘XPN earlier
tive and everybody knows
and activities around Penn.
this month, Vasilikos worked at WTMD,
when they hear something,
Time at Penn: 3 weeks
One of the other comic-centric exhibi-
the listener-supported, non-comm station
to shoot out an email to say,
tions is “Life in Boxes,” which opened on
licensed to Towson University, his alma
‘Check this new record out.’
Oct. 27 and runs through March 22 in the
Q
mater, located outside of Baltimore.
So are you more a behind-the-scenes
music guy or do you like being on-air?
Kamin Gallery, located on the first floor of
Though still new to ’XPN (this is only
the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library. The show is
Q What kinds of records do you put
A
his third week) Vasilikos is already very
I like finding and discovering
aside for ’XPN DJs to play on air?
music. I like to see a project come
based on a new collection of more than 5,000
familiar with the station and its mission.
books and 20,000 comic books donated to
A
to life, so I kind of like being behind-the-
In the non-comm world, ‘XPN is a big
I think anything that’s new and
exciting and a little bit different.
scenes for the stuff that I do.
the Rare Book & Manuscript Library from
name.
I think the great thing about ’XPN is it
Penn grad (and comic aficionado) Steve
“They’ve done an amazing job at
can play so many different styles of music.
Rothman. “We were so lucky that he wanted
Q
WXPN and where I was before this, we
The beauty of this type of radio is that
Any goals in mind?
to give it to us,” says Lynne Farrington, cu-
always looked to WXPN as sort of the
people like to hear all different styles of
rator of printed books at the Rare Book &
A
leader,” he says.
music and all different types of artists and
Just to contribute and make the
radio station the best it can be. To
Manuscript Library. “It’s the kind of thing,
Vasilikos, a Long Island, N.Y. native
if something’s new and interesting and
be part of a team like this—I felt like a
by virtue of its magnitude and enormity, you
and former Baltimore resident, now re-
a little left of center, it seems like this is
rookie walking into the New York Yan-
just know that people are going to use over
sides locally—and so far, so good. “As a
the home for some of this stuff—a radio
kees clubhouse. You have people who are
and over again.”
music town, it’s amazing. When I moved
station that is still going to take a risk on
just amazing on-air talents and it’s really
Since he was young, Rothman collected
in, there were people playing on the
a new artist, which you don’t find across
humbling to be able to work alongside
not just comic books and strips, but also com-
street. We didn’t have that in Baltimore,”
the radio dial anymore.
some of these folks. When you’re in the
pilations, reprints of historic comic books
he says. “There are so many venues, there
same building with David Dye and Jim
and critical materials. He also amassed po-
are so many bands I want to see. In Balti-
litical cartoons, adult comics, graphic nov-
Q
McGuinn and to be working with Dan
more, [we had to drive] to D.C., so here,
What’s the difference between work-
ing for a station like this one and
Reed and Bruce Warren—I can’t think
els, items from independent publishers and
the proximity of the venues to where you
working for commercial radio?
of a better staff to be around. These are
underground comics. “[Rothman] was accu-
live is just amazing.”
mulating that with an eye toward them being
A I’ve only spent limited time in
great professionals, they’re great at what
commercial radio buildings, but
they do and I’m just really excited to
useful as a collection,” says Farrington.
“Life in Boxes” is focused on a few broad
Q What does your job here at WXPN
the bottom line is if there’s a record that
work with them and to learn from them.
entail?
we think is cool or an artist that we want
At the end of the day, I’ll just have fun
categories: Locally born artists, Superman
and women superheroes, humor magazines
A There are two parts of it. One
to support, it’s that easy—you put it on
and play rock and roll.
will be on-air. I think I’m going to
the air and you support the artist. There’s
and underground and sex comics.
host at least one specialty show—the new
nothing really else that goes into it. I’m
As the Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Q
music show, I believe. I’ll fill in for jocks
a music fan, I listen to all sorts of differ-
What are you listening to now?
began planning this show last spring, they dis-
when they go away so I’ll have a little bit
ent music, so this is just a natural fit. The
covered that comic, animation and graphic
A
of on-air and behind the scenes. Acting
playlist is wide, we play so much new mu-
The new Ray LaMontagne is really
good, the new Jenny Lewis is re-
novel-related events were happening across
as the assistant music director, I’ll be
sic every day. We’re not limited—
ally good. Kings of Leon—I love the new
the University, says Andrea Gottschalk, ex-
reporting to Dan Reed—who’s the opera-
if we like a new record, we’re going
Kings of Leon and the new TV on the
hibition designer at the Rare Book & Manu-
tions manager and music director—filter-
to play it.
Radio—really great records.
script Library. Library staff decided to reach
out to other departments and programs, and
as a result, the graduate drawing class of now-
retired Fine Arts chair John Moore created
original illustrations for the “Life in Boxes”
catalog.
FOR THE RECORD: Walter E. Shinn
Louise Krasniewicz, an anthropologist
and senior research scientist in the Penn
Museum’s American Section, blogged from
The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded to United States military pilots for “hero-
Comic-Con in San Diego (her work can be
ism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight.” It is one of
read at www.professorkraz.wordpress.com), and
the highest honors in the American armed forces—and Walter E. Shinn, a 1939 Penn
on March 22, the Museum will host a family-
graduate, won two of them.
friendly Superhero Day that she organized.
His classmates probably weren’t surprised by that, though. Shinn was a standout
Other upcoming events include author
from the moment he arrived at Penn in 1935. The New Jersey native was a high
Arie Kaplan’s talk, “From Krakow to Krypton:
school sports superstar and immediately earned spots on both the varsity football and
Jews and Comic Books,” on Nov. 6 at 5:30
varsity baseball teams here at Penn. He was named captain of the football team in his
p.m. in the Rosenwald Gallery and a screen-
senior year and also earned All-American honors, but he was an even bigger star on
ing of animation selections (organized by
the diamond. During his senior year, he signed a contract with the New York Giants
Mosley) from the library’s new collection on
and ended up playing in the Giants’ farm system for two years.
Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Rosenwald Gallery.
In 1941, though, Shinn told the Giants he was leaving baseball to join the Navy. Af-
“There’s something that the comics and
ter going through training at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station, he eventually joined
graphic novels can speak to in our society
the battle against the Axis powers, earning his two Distinguished Flying Crosses while
now,” says Gottschalk. “The majority of peo-
flying with the “Black Cat” squadron, which sank 75,000 tons worth of enemy ships
ple can connect with one aspect or another
during World War II. Shinn kept flying after the war, too, spending 30 years as a pilot
of the shows.”
with National Airlines and later serving as general manager of Chalk’s Airlines, which
See a slideshow of images from the shows at the
offered service between Florida and the Bahamas. He passed away in 1988.
Current website: www.upenn.edu/pennnews/
For more on this and other notable moments in Penn history, go to the University
current.
Archives web site at www.archives.upenn.edu.
4 October 30, 2008
PennCurrent
PennCurrent
October 30, 2008 5
and water, but also support both
resident and migratory species. 10
MONDAY, NOV. 3
a.m. to noon at Morris Arboretum,
SPECIAL EVENTS
100 E. Northwestern Ave. Info:
What’sOn Cal to register for classes 215-247- GIMME SHELTER: Penn Home
5777, ext. 156 or 125. Members
Ownership Services hosts “Home
$25; non-members $30.
Ownership Week,” geared towards
raising the awareness of the Uni-
P E R F O R M A N C E S / L E C T U R E S / E V E N T S
FOR THE KIDS
versity community and the general
public about the real estate market
KIDS INCORPORATED: Ernie & Neal
O c t . 3 0 - N o v . 1 3
and other home ownership topics.
is a dynamic musical experience
Free one-hour sessions: noon to 1
THURSDAY, OCT. 30
from the Philadelphia area. They
p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m. Topics and lo-
SATURDAY, NOV. 1
cal their act “Music for the Young
cations are available online at www.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Mind,” entertaining America’s
business-services.upenn.edu/hom-
TALKS
children as wel as the child in al of
eownership/register. Info: 215-898-
DIANE’S LANE: Come view “Oil
us. 11:30 a.m. at World Cafe Live,
7422. Runs through Nov. 7.
and Water by Diane Lachman.”
POLL MAN: Join professor Dick
3025 Walnut St. Info: 215-222-1400
Lachman’s oil paintings and wa-
Polman in a lively discussion about
or www.worldcafelive.com. Adults
TALKS
tercolors combine a unique mix of
the 2008 elections. Polman writes
$10; Children 1 to 12 $7; free for
abstraction and representation. 7:30
a political column for the Philadel-
children under one.
BASED ON A TRUE STORY: Writ-
a.m. to 5 p.m. at Burrison Gal ery,
phia Inquirer, as wel as a daily po-
ers Without Borders presents a
3611 Walnut St. Info: 215-898-5994
litical blog, “Dick Polman’s Ameri-
SPORTS
workshop with Pakistani theater
or Ilene Wilder at ilenee@pobox.
can Debate.” 9:30 to 11 a.m. at
and visual artist Bina Sharif, who
upenn.edu. Runs through Nov. 7.
McNeil Center for Early American
FOOTBALL: Penn vs. Brown (Home-
has produced more than 20 plays
Studies Lecture Hal , 3355 Wood-
coming). Noon at Franklin Field.
in the United States, Europe and
TALKS
land Walk. Info: 215-898-5262 or
Info: www.pennathletics.com.
Pakistan, including, most recently,
www.sas.upenn.edu.
“Afghan Woman,” a response to
LISTEN WITHOUT PREJUDICE:
VOLLEYBALL: Penn vs. Cornel . 4
the Iraq War. 6 p.m. at Kel y Writers
Sarah Burgess leads the discus-
MADAM SPEAKER: Penn President
p.m. at The Palestra. Info: www.
House, Room 202. RSVP to wh@
sion, “White Students Confronting
Amy Gutmann headlines the al -
pennathletics.com.
writing.upenn.edu to reserve a
Racism: White Privilege and the
alumni pre-game tailgate brunch,
spot.
2008 Elections.” Noon to 1:30 p.m.
“Quakerfest on the Green.” Visit
SOCCER: Penn vs. Brown. Women’s
at Graduate School of Education,
the SAS table for fun giveaways
team plays at 5 p.m.; men’s team at
READINGS
3700 Walnut St., Room 400. Info:
and join alumni from across gener-
7:30 p.m. at Rhodes Field, Universi-
877-PENNGSE (736-6473) or www.
ations for food and fun. 10 a.m. to
ty Ave. at the Schuylkil . Info: www.
YOUNGEST IN CHARGE: A reading
gse.upenn.edu.
noon at Col ege Green. Info: Con-
pennathletics.com.
and conversation with fiction writer
tact Casey Ryan at 215-746-2494 or
Karen Russel . A Miami native, Rus-
BLOOD SUGAR: As part of the Penn
cjryan@upenn.edu.
FILMS
sel has been featured in both The
Institute on Aging Visiting Scholars
New Yorker’s debut fiction issue
Series, Lenore J. Launer, a senior
BACK IN THE DAY: Alumni from all
SLASHER FLICKS: Exhumed Films
and New York magazine’s list of 25
investigator at the National Insti-
generations are invited to share
presents the second annual 24
people to watch under the age of
tute on Aging, discusses “Demen-
their favorite Penn memories with
Hour Horror-thon. The show is a
26. 6 p.m. at Kel y Writers House.
tia and Cognitive Impairment: New
“Penn Back Then,” a continuing
combination of some of the big-
Info: 215-573-WRIT or www.writing.
Complications of Diabetes?” 3 to
oral-history project. Look for roving
gest horror titles of the last 30
upenn.edu/wh.
4:30 p.m. at BRB 2/3 Auditorium,
“Penn Back Then” staff wearing
years mixed with some rare gems.
421 Curie Blvd. Info: 215-898-3163
blue T-shirts and carrying open mi-
Noon at International House, 3701
MUSIC
or email aging@mail.med.upenn.
crophones, and tel them your best
Chestnut St. Info: 215-387-5125 or
edu.
story for this Web-based audio
www.ihousephil y.org. $20. Do not
KORA MASTER: Toumani Diabaté
NEPTUNE CITY GIRL
scrapbook. 10 a.m. to noon at Col-
bring tents, sleeping bags or fold-
Nicole Atkins, a native of Neptune City, N.J., performs
is the uncontested master of the
LOOK WITHOUT IGNORANCE: For
lege Green and around campus.
ing chairs.
kora (West African harp-lute). Hot
songs from her latest album, named after her hometown, Nov. 5 at World Cafe Live. For more information, call
the 2008 Constance E. Clayton Lec-
Info: 215-898-5262 or www.sas.
on the heels of the Grammy win-
215-222-1400 or visit www.worldcafelive.com. $20 to $27.
ture, Margaret Beale Spencer, GSE
upenn.edu.
SUNDAY, NOV. 2
ning In the Heart of the Moon with
Board of Overseers Professor of
Ali Farka Touré was Boulevard de
Education and Psychology, discuss-
THE SPORTS REPORTERS: In the
FOR THE KIDS
l’Indépendance, Diabaté’s most
es “Youth Identity and Develop-
Alumni Authors Series: “Extreme
extraordinary album to date. 7:30
eral admission; free for Museum
ment in the ‘Colorblind’ American
Sportswriting,” Wal Street Journal
BIRDS OF A FEATHER: Children can
p.m. at World Cafe Live. Info: 215-
members. $30 subscription to all
Context Post Brown 1954.” 4:30
sports commentator Stefan Fatsis,
learn about the wonderful world of
222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.
eight talks.
p.m. at Penn Museum, 3260 South
“Friday Night Lights” author Buzz
birds and their beneficial effects on
com. $25 to $40.
St. Info: 877-PENNGSE (736-6473)
Bissinger, Sports Il ustrated senior
gardens in “Let’s Build a Birdfeed-
or www.gse.upenn.edu.
writer Jon Wertheim and mod-
er.” Each child then builds his or
erator and author Stephen Fried
her own birdfeeder to take home.
TUESDAY, NOV. 4
FRIDAY, OCT. 31
discuss the future of sports journal-
1 to 3 p.m. at Morris Arboretum.
SPECIAL EVENTS
ism. 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Kel y Writers
Info: Cal to register for classes
SPORTS
House, 3805 Locust Walk. Info:
215-247-5777, ext. 156 or 125.
ELECTION DAY: Go vote. For
RSVP to whhomecoming@writing.
Members $25; non-members $30.
information on pol ing places
SPRINT FOOTBALL: Penn vs. Princ-
upenn.edu or cal 215-573-9748.
Family fee includes one birdfeeder.
for campus residents, go to www.
eton. 7 p.m. at Franklin Field, 33rd
Each additional feeder: $15. Please
leadthevote.com.
and South streets. Info: www.pen-
SPECIAL EVENTS
bring a hammer and a Phil ips head
nathletics.com.
screwdriver.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 5
MOTHER NATURE: In “Gardening
VOLLEYBALL: Penn vs. Columbia.
with Native Plants to Attract Birds
SPORTS
SPECIAL EVENTS
7 p.m. at The Palestra, 220 South
and Butterflies,” native plant ex-
32nd St. Info: www.pennathletics.
pert Catherine Renzi discusses na-
FIELD HOCKEY: Penn vs. Brown. 1
INNER PEACE: Explore the world of
com.
tive plants that are not only attrac-
p.m. at Franklin Field. Info: www.
yoga with Certified Yoga Teacher
tive and require less maintenance
pennathletics.com.
Lauren Brown. This Wednesday
MUSIC
evening class is designed to ac-
commodate al levels of ability. 5:30
ATKINS’ DIET: Nicole Atkins’ music
to 7 p.m. at Penn Museum. Info:
ranges far afield: It is sometimes
215-898-4890 or www.museum.
vaudevil ian or psychedelic, with
EDITOR’S PICK: History Before Slavery
upenn.edu. Please bring a yoga
country influences—and al under
mat and a towel, and wear com-
a musical cloud of pop-noir. 7:30
fortable clothing. Classes run for 6
p.m. at World Cafe Live. Info: 215-
weeks: $85; $75 members. Drop-in:
222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.
For more than 600 years, the Nige-
$15 (space permitting).
com. $20 to $27.
rian city of Benin was the capital of
a prosperous, well-organized em-
TALKS
THURSDAY, NOV. 6
pire and one of West Africa’s most
renowned and powerful states. At
NO MUSIC: The first col egiate a ca-
TALKS
its peak during the 15th and 16th
pel a group, the Yale Whiffenpoofs,
was founded in 1909. But what
centuries, the empire stretched
33RD & FISHER: For the 33rd M. H.
had been largely an Ivy League
from Dahomey to the Niger River
Samitz Lectureship in Cutaneous
phenomenon has exploded into
Medicine, David E. Fisher, chief of
and even the Atlantic coast. Nearly
more than 1,200 a capel a groups
the Department of Dermatology
100 objects from Penn Museum’s ex-
at col eges across the country. Au-
at Massachusetts General Hospital
traordinary Benin collection of cast
thor Mickey Rapkin has captured
and a professor at Harvard Medical
bronzes, carved ivories and wooden
the world of a capel a in his new
School, discusses “Transcriptional
artifacts, dating from the 16th to the
book, “Pitch Perfect.” 6 to 7 p.m.
Regulation in Melanocytes and
21st centuries, form the core of the
at Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St.
Melanoma.” 10 a.m. at Clinical
new exhibit, “Iyare! Splendor and
Info: 215-898-7595 or www.upenn.
Research Building, 415 Curie Blvd.
Tension in Benin’s Palace Theatre.”
edu/bookstore.
Info: 215-898-3240.
At the Nov. 8 exhibition open-
GREAT SOCIETIES: Richard L.
ing celebration, the Museum offers
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT: In “Law
Zettler, associate curator-in-charge,
and Combat Reality: Legal Doc-
a performance of West African mu-
u
e
,
1
6
t
h
c
e
n
t
u
r
y
Near East Section, kicks off the
l
a
q
trine in the New War on Terror,” a
sic and dance, a talk by curator and
p
“Great Sites from the Ancient
panel of legal experts and military
Benin scholar Kathy Curnow and
World Series,” looking at Biblical
commanders discuss how legal
children’s activities. The event takes
u
r
t
y
a
r
d
Ur of the Chaldees, one of the larg-
requirements interact with on-the-
place from 1 to 4 p.m. For more in-
est and most important Mesopota-
ground combat realities in the War
formation, call 215-898-4890 or visit
a
l
a
c
e
c
o
mian cities. 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Penn
on Terror. Noon to 1:30 p.m. at
www.museum.upenn.edu.
Museum. Info: 215-898-4890 or
Penn Law School, 3400 Chestnut
e
n
i
n
p
B
www.museum.upenn.edu. $5 gen-
4 October 30, 2008
PennCurrent
PennCurrent
October 30, 2008 5
a bold look at the rise of a genera-
Lawrence J. Pinnie discusses the
215-898-7595 or www.upenn.edu/
tion that sees beyond the smoke
cultural patterns and development
bookstore.
and mirrors of corporate-manufac-
of modern Spanish life, based on
tured hip hop. 1 to 2 p.m. at Penn
his book, “The Passing of Spanish
OLD IDEAS: Professor Clive Gam-
Bookstore. Info: 215-898-7595 or
Traditionalism.” 7 to 8 p.m. at Penn
ble, Department of Geography,
www.upenn.edu/bookstore.
Bookstore. Info: 215-898-7595 or
Royal Hol oway Col ege, University
www.upenn.edu/bookstore.
of London, argues that the time
DANCE
has come for archaeologists and
WEATHER UNDERGROUND: As part
other scholars to focus on the “big-
STRANGE BEDFELLOWS: See
of the Penn Humanities Forum on
ger picture” of human evolution,
Thursday, Nov. 6. Today: 2 p.m. and
Change, Dale Jamieson, a leading
investigating the minds and emo-
8 p.m. at Zel erbach Theater. Info:
authority in environmental eth-
tions of our earliest ancestors. 6 to
215-898-6701 or www.pennpre-
ics and bioethics, considers the
8 p.m. at Penn Museum. Info: 215-
sents.org. Tickets for 2 p.m. show:
chal enges facing humanists who
898-4890 or www.museum.upenn.
$32 to $42. Tickets for 8 p.m. show:
would try to approach the topic of
edu. Free for Museum members at
$38 to $48.
global climate change. 7:30 to 9:30
the Fel ows level and above.
p.m. at Penn Museum. Info: 215-
SUNDAY, NOV. 9
573-8280 or www.phf.upenn.edu.
QUEEN DELAURENTIS: In “Art of
the Garden: Col ecting Antique
MUSIC
PERFORMANCES
Botanical Prints,” author and
antique print specialist Denise
NEW YORK YANKEE: Avi Wisnia
HUMP DAY: Philadelphia artist Paul
DeLaurentis explores the world of
moved to New York City in 2001 to
Swenbeck has gathered some of
botanical prints created by notable
cultivate his new love of Brazilian
the brightest stars in underground
artists of the 17th through the 19th
music and to surround himself with
comics to debut new minicomics
centuries. 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Morris
some of the most creative musical
and to perform music at the When-
Arboretum. Info: Cal to register for
minds in the world. In doing so, he
ever Wednesday performance,
classes 215-247-5777 ext. 156 or
found a huge number of people
“Minicomic Pile Up.” 7 p.m. at In-
125. Members: $25; non-members:
who wanted to hear him sing and
stitute of Contemporary Art, 118 S.
$30.
play. Noon at World Cafe Live. Info:
36th St. Info: 215-898-7108 or www.
215-222-1400 or www.worldcafe-
icaphila.org. Free to members &
THEATER
live.com. $15.
Penn students; $5 general admis-
sion.
THE PLAY’S THE THING: See
MONDAY, NOV. 10
Wednesday, Nov. 12. Tonight: 7:30
THEATER
p.m. at Harold Prince Theatre.
TALKS
Info: 215-898-6701 or www.pen-
THE PLAY’S THE THING: Actors
npresents.org. $35. Additional
PEDRO’S PROTEGO: The Wharton
from the London Stage, one of
performances run through Friday,
Leadership Lecture features Pedro
the oldest established touring
Nov. 14.
Aspe, co-chairman, Evercore Part-
Shakespeare theater companies in
ners, and CEO, Protego Asesores
the world, performs Wil iam Shake-
in Mexico. 4:30 p.m. at Huntsman
speare’s “The Winter’s Tale,” which
Hal . Info: www.wharton.upenn.
pits the destructive nature of jeal-
edu.
ousy against the redemptive power
Tell us
of love. 7:30 p.m. at Harold Prince
BILL’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE:
Theatre, 3680 Walnut St. Info: 215-
Wil iam Hanson’s new book, “The
898-6701 or www.pennpresents.
What’sOn
Edge of Medicine,” is a time ma-
org. $35. Additional performances
chine that wil transport the reader
run through Friday, Nov. 14.
If you have an event that may be
NEPTUNE CITY GIRL Nicole Atkins, a native of Neptune City, N.J., performs
from the ancient past to a future
of interest to the University of
songs from her latest album, named after her hometown, Nov. 5 at World Cafe Live. For more information, call
medical world that looks a lot like
THURSDAY, NOV. 13
Pennsylvania community, we want
science fiction—but wil soon be
to hear about it. Send your
215-222-1400 or visit www.worldcafelive.com. $20 to $27.
reality. 6 to 7 p.m. at Penn Book-
TALKS
announcements to:
store. Info: 215-898-7595 or www.
upenn.edu/bookstore.
READ BETWEEN THE KEYS: Alumni
What’s On
St. Info: 215-898-7484 or www.law.
HANDLE WITH CARE: For a peren-
Suze DiPietro discusses her new
The Penn Current
upenn.edu.
nial garden to reach its ful po-
MUSIC
novel, “Between Keys.” This is the
200 Sansom Place East
tential, it must be managed after
story of Francesca Scarlatti, who,
3600 Chestnut Street
POETIC LICENSE: Join PoemTalk
planting with great care. In “The
STING LIKE A BEE: Inspired by
after a decade-long ride on the
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6106
moderator and host Al Filreis and
Wel -Mannered Perennial Garden,”
golden era legends like KRS-One
top of the music charts, fal s to the
three friends in the poetics com-
learn what you can do to ensure
and Rakim, Brother Ali began rap-
bottom of an emotional and pro-
or e-mail them to
munity as they discuss a single
that your garden is a source of
ping as a means of survival. Ever
fessional abyss when her guitarist
current@pobox.upenn.edu
poem from the PennSound archive.
pleasure and not one of frustration
since elementary school he hasn’t
husband, Dante, is murdered. 6
Episode #17 features a discussion
and disappointment. 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Deadline is two weeks prior to
slowed down with his lyrical grind.
to 7 p.m. at Penn Bookstore. Info:
issue date.
of Rodrigo Toscano’s “Poetics”
at Morris Arboretum. Info: Cal to
8 p.m. at World Cafe Live. Info:
with Emily Abendroth, Randall
register for classes 215-247-5777
215-222-1400 or www.worldcafe-
Couch and Linh Dinh. 3:30 p.m. at
ext. 156 or 125. Members: $25;
live.com. $17 to $24.
Kel y Writers House. Info: 215-573-
non-members: $30.
WRIT. To be a member of the live
TUESDAY, NOV. 11
audience, RSVP to wh@writing.
DANCE
upenn.edu.
TALKS
STRANGE BEDFELLOWS: Hip-hop
and bal et may seem an unusual
PATRON SAINT OF WRITING: Cel-
pairing, but Victor Quijada’s com-
ebrate the 125th birthday of Wil-
pany, Rubberdance Group, fuses
liam Carlos Wil iams with talks and
these two styles and tradi-
readings by Sarah Dowling, Erica
tions into something fresh
Kaufman, Pattie McCarthy, Jena
and exciting. It is cal ed
Osman and Elizabeth Scanlon. 6
“Phase II,” a groundbreak-
p.m. at Kel y Writers House. Info:
SEE NOV. 3 FOR
ing multimedia work that
215-573-WRIT or www.writing.
DETAILS ON HOME
redefines dance. 7:30 p.m.
upenn.edu/wh.
at Zel erbach Theatre,
OWNERSHIP WEEK
3680 Walnut St. Info:
MALE CHAUVINISM: Andrew Stew-
215-898-6701 or www.
art, professor of art history and
pennpresents.org. $38
classics at UC Berkeley, responds
to $48. Performances run
to recent feminist critiques of the
through Saturday, Nov. 8.
female nude in Greek art in the
Archaeological Institute of America
FRIDAY, NOV. 7
Lecture, “Designing Women,” by
suggesting that the artists con-
DANCE
structed the image of the naked
GET INFO:
courtesan or hetaira as a women’s
The Wharton
STRANGE BEDFELLOWS: See
role model. 6 to 7 p.m. at Penn
Leadership Lecture features S. Go-
Thursday, Nov. 6. Tonight: 8 p.m.
Museum. Info: 215-898-4890 or
palakrishnan, one of the founders
at Zel erbach Theater. Info: 215-
www.museum.upenn.edu.
of Infosys Technologies Limited.
898-6701 or www.pennpresents.
4:30 p.m. at Huntsman Hal , 3730
org. $38 to $48. Additional perfor-
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 12
Walnut St. Info: www.wharton.
mances on Saturday, Nov. 8.
upenn.edu.
TALKS
SATURDAY, NOV. 8
FROM JUSTIN TO EMILY: The Emer-
TALKING HEADS: Join Gene Wein-
gency Reading Series presents
EXHIBITS
garten, a staff writer and syndicat-
Emily Abendroth and Justin Audia,
ed humor columnist for The Wash-
co-curators of the Moles Not Molar
HISTORY BEFORE SLAVERY: See
ington Post, and David Von Drehle,
Reading Series. Abendroth’s recent
“Editor’s Pick.”
Time magazine editor-at-large, as
work can be found in Encyclope-
they talk about journalism with Paul
HIP HOP HOORAY
dia, Pocket Myths: The Odyssey
TALKS
Hendrickson. 6 p.m. at Kel y Writ-
M.K.
Edition, horse less review, and Cut
ers House. Info: 215-573-WRIT or
Asante, Jr. discusses his latest book, “It’s Bigger Than Hip
& Paste. 6 p.m. at Kel y Writers
RAP VS. HIP-HOP: Award-winning
www.writing.upenn.edu/wh.
House. Info: 215-573-WRIT or www.
author and filmmaker M.K. Asante,
Hop,” Nov. 8 at the Penn Bookstore. For information, call
writing.upenn.edu/wh.
Jr. discusses his newest book, “It’s
ESTILO DE VIDA ESPAÑOL: Famed
Bigger Than Hip Hop.” The book is
215-898-7595.
Spanish language professor
6 October 30, 2008
PennCurrent
PennCurrent
October 30, 2008 7
Q&A/GREG BISSON
Continued from page 1
“Starting
HIV therapy
is only the
beginning.”
Q Tell me about your background.
A I was a Midwesterner, born in Min-
nesota. As a kid, I was always in-
terested in foreign cultures and faraway
a
r
l
o
places. Sometimes in those long Minne-
i
C
sota winters, I thought about getting out
a
c
e
d
of town a lot. And then in grade school,
a
n
d
C
my two best friends were from China. I
would look at the characters they were
writing and was always interested in this
three years here and then did an infection
antiretroviral therapy. I think the reality is,
developed a method to track patients’
secret code language they seemed to have.
disease fellowship here too. I remember
when you’re in a busy clinic and treating
adherence to therapy by measuring their
So when I grew up and decided to go to
sitting on the oncology board over at HUP
50 patients a day, you don’t necessary have
pharmacy refill data. CD4 tracking is a
the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I
with Dr. Harvey Friedman, who started
the chance to think about and succinctly
blood-based test, a test that is really in-
quickly realized I wanted to do something
the whole Botswana program, and it was
describe what’s going on in your clinic.
grained in HIV care. But there are a lot of
[international]. But at that point I was
around 7 o’clock. It was late, we were tired
How do you keep track of these patients
variables in CD4 counts from day to day.
still interested in foreign affairs, or maybe
from the day, and we started talking about
when there are 50 more the next day, and
That started to make us concerned that
working for the state department. Japan
what my plans were. This was just around
the next day after that?
CD4 counts weren’t necessarily the most
was the big growing business force in the
the time that somebody from Merck had
accurate way to follow patients. Another
world at that time, so I thought maybe it
called him to see if he was interested in
Q
thing is that doing these CD4 tests re-
would be a good skill to learn a foreign
sending some doctors over to Botswana.
What did your research reveal?
quires a lot of resources. But a potentially
language, and going back to those grade
Harvey said to me, ‘Hey, Greg, why don’t
A
much simpler way, given that every clinic
school friends I had, I decided to learn
you go into HIV—and why not go to
Global scale-up of antiretroviral
therapy is very focused on count-
distributing therapy has access to records
not Chinese but Japanese. I ended up ma-
Botswana?’ Harvey can be a fairly convinc-
ing the number of individuals who are
that tell them when patients came back
joring in Japanese and it just so happened
ing guy, and so sure enough, I decided I
starting treatment. What we’re trying to
for their meds, was to track pharmacy
that the University of Wisconsin started up
would go over to Botswana.
do is make a very complicated disease
refill adherence. And we revealed that fol-
a Japanese exchange program at the time,
manageable in places where you have
lowing adherence patterns worked as well
and they needed two students to spend
Q How many times now have you been very few resources. But this is clearly a
or even better than following CD4 counts.
their junior year over at a Japanese univer-
to Botswana?
very complicated disease. Just starting
This is potentially a new paradigm … in
sity, and then two Japanese students would
A
HIV therapy is only the beginning. This
order to help doctors predict how well a
come over to Wisconsin. I was chosen to
It’s been nine trips. But when I
first got there, there was basically
disease requires life-long treatment. It’s
patient is going to do and also potentially
go over there and do this great program.
very little in terms of infrastructure to do
expensive. There are high complication
intervene before bad things happen.
I stayed with a Japanese family in my ju-
research. I think my first trip was in 2003
rates. So when I started to talk with people
nior year. It was just amazing, one of the
and the first thing I wanted to do was just
there, I was telling them, while initiation
Q
best things I’ve ever done, just to have
meet the people there and see what was
of treatment is important, it was also im-
This has to be an incredibly gratifying
line of work.
the opportunity to immerse yourself in a
going on. ... And I remember sitting down
portant to find out what was happening
A
foreign culture. And at that point, I was
with [the doctors] there and having to
to people after they started treatment.
Yes, it is gratifying. But if there’s
one thing I miss it would be direct
still thinking foreign service, or foreign af-
deal with this question they seemed to be
The story of my first study there could be
patient involvement. This is an all-con-
fairs, diplomacy, maybe international busi-
asking, even though they weren’t overtly
said to be that while outcomes in global
suming line of work. Grant funding is dif-
ness. I wasn’t too sure. But then I traveled
asking it. The sense I got was, ‘Oh, you’re
antiretroviral therapy could be thought
ficult to get now, and in order to succeed
around Southeast Asia.
another researcher. What can you add?’
of as doing quite well, not every patient
in this career you have to be very driven
was being traced. And when you did trace
and spend a lot of time writing grants.
Q What happened then?
Q How did you get past that?
every patient, you found a lot of deaths.
That means less time treating patients.
The patients who were dying soon after
But it’s gratifying when you see work do
A As I was going around places like
A
therapy began were the sickest patients—
something, when it appears to have an
Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and
I wanted to see where they felt
there was some unmet research
the ones with very low CD4 counts. The
effect. I think the paper I did with Robert
some of the poorer parts of the world, I
needs. I saw Botswana as an opportunity.
reason they were dying was not entirely
Gross could potentially be incorporated
saw a lot of people who were living in re-
I wanted to do concrete research that ad-
clear [because therapy should be effective
into [global] guidelines. And I don’t know
ally impoverished conditions. You could
dressed their needs and could improve
even in sick patients] but what it revealed
that for sure, but I have heard people talk-
get the sense that there was a lot of disease
the care they were delivering as quickly as
was a tremendous opportunity. So my
ing about it.
and so then I became interested in the
possible. I wanted to have a strong local
research now is focused on finding what
idea that infectious disease was a really
relevance while also being relevant to the
is happening to those patients who aren’t
Q
big problem. I started thinking maybe I
broader epidemiological question glob-
doing well. And if you can improve that,
Do you feel the situation in Botswana
can improve?
should be planning on doing something
ally.
you will improve the outcomes of scale-up
A
medical. I tried really quickly to get all of
worldwide.
Botswana is really a model country
in figuring out how to deal with
my pre-med stuff out of the way, I took the
Q
HIV. So I’m very optimistic about how
MCATs, and then took a year off. I lived in
How did you go about doing that?
Q
things can go there. They’ve addressed
Washington, still furthering the idea that
A
You then did a second study that has
also received a lot of attention, cor-
HIV on almost every front. You see bill-
I might work in diplomacy. I worked in a
One of the things that was interest-
ing to me was that there was a feel-
rect? What was that study about?
boards about HIV there, much more than
senator’s office. But then I applied and
ing when I first went to Botswana among
A
you do here. They’ve rolled out universal
got in to medical school at the University
the local providers that there wasn’t really
The two studies are somewhat
related, in that they’re both inter-
testing, so if you come in to get medical
of Minnesota. But then all throughout my
a clear idea of how well the program
ested in this idea that, although initiation
care, they’ll tell you, ‘OK, you’re sick, I’m
career, all my personal statements about
was working. So I focused on that pretty
of therapy is important, it’s not the whole
going to take care of you, but I’m also go-
why I wanted to be a doctor, they always
quickly, like on the first trip I went there.
story. Monitoring patients and improving
ing to test you for HIV.’ They’ve rolled out
tended toward this trip to Southeast Asia.
I realized what they wanted was to have
outcomes is really where the future of
free drugs to all citizens who have AIDS
some data on the outcomes of the treat-
global scale-up is. The traditional method
and who quality for treatment. They’ve
Q How did you end up at Penn?
ment programs. Really, that project was
for [tracking patients] is looking at CD4
achieved nearly 90 percent coverage for
about starting to look at how these pa-
counts, but now we have a line of research
therapy of those who need it, and so I’m
A I matched at Penn for international tients with very advanced AIDS and HIV that I have developed along with Robert very optimistic. They’ve made incredible
medicine residency training. I did
infection were living after they started
Gross, a collaborator of mine here, who
progress.
6 October 30, 2008
PennCurrent
PennCurrent
October 30, 2008 7
PENNPIX
a
r
k
S
t
e
h
l
e
M
Quakers Rolling
Penn picked up its third straight football win on Oct. 18, knocking off Columbia, 15-10, at Franklin Field. Freshman Matt Hamscher (top right) picked up 67 yards on 17 carries, and was cheered on, as al-
ways, by coach Dan“Lake” Staffieri, who has served as an assistant coach—and unofficial cheerleader—since 1977. Penn students enjoyed the win—and, of course, threw their toast (left) as per tradition.
Penn in ‘waiting game’
CAMPUS ART WALK: Life Savers
after scholar detained
BY TIM HYLAND
rights. Zakerian was previously a fellow at the
Hague Academy of International Law in the
If things had gone according to plan, Mehdi
Netherlands.
Zakerian would currently be serving as a visit-
Penn Law School Professor Bill Burke-
ing scholar here at the Penn Law School.
White, who met Zakerian on a recent trip to
Instead, the Iranian scholar—a leading
Iran, describes the scholar as “one of the lead-
voice for human rights in the Middle East—
ing thinkers on human rights in the Middle
is apparently being held against his will, and
East whose writings have helped us all better
has been since mid-August, by the Iranian
understand the relationships between hu-
government. Ever since, Penn officials have
man rights and Islam.” Burke-White adds that
joined human rights groups in calling for his
Zakerian’s detention appears to be part of a
release.
broader crackdown on independently minded
But as of late this month, no progress had
academics at leading institutions across Iran.
been made. And now, all Penn can do, says
But information about Zakerian’s detention
Penn Law School Dean Michael Fitts, is hope
has been difficult to find. In mid-September,
for the best—and keep up the fight.
Amnesty International reported that Zakeri-
“We don’t have any hard evidence, but
an’s family had been allowed to visit him once
we’ve been led to believe he’s being held in
in a Tehran courtroom, but that they were not
a prison, and that he’s been charged with
told where he was being held.
espionage,” Fitts says. “But we have no rea-
At that time, Amnesty International also
son whatsoever to think those are legitimate
warned that Zakerian may have been at risk
charges.
of “torture or other ill-treatment.” Since
“We’re in a waiting game,” Fitts adds. “It’s
then, there have been no updates on Zake-
important that the international community
rian’s situation.
has spoken out in this case.”
“We’re waiting, and I think we can hope,”
Zakerian is an assistant professor of hu-
Fitts says. “We thought having Prof. Zakerian
n
man rights at Tehran Independent Univer-
in our midst would be immensely valuable
h
n
s
o
sity and was recently named chairman of the
to the entire Law School and the Penn com-
J
o
International Studies Association of Iran. He
munity. But universities are part of the real
r
e
g
G
is a senior researcher at the Center for the
world, too, and there are bad things that
Strategic Studies of the Middle East and edi-
happen in the real world. We cannot ignore
Throughout the 2008-2009 academic year, the Current will be taking a look at the stories behind some of
tor of the journal International Studies, which
them. They do happen, they happen to im-
Penn’s most well-known, and most obscure, pieces of public art. The tour continues with “Life Savers.”
is published in both Farsi and English and is
portant members of our community, and
devoted to international affairs and human
when they do, we have to respond.”
At the entrance to Penn’s Veterinary Hospital is Billie Lawless’ abstract “Life Savers,” a brightly
painted steel sculpture first unveiled in 1982.
Lawless, a Buffalo, N.Y., native who now lives in Cleveland, says the name, like all of his titles,
is humorous and is meant to evoke the candy of the same name. The piece, 120 inches high
Race/From page 1
and 90 inches wide, is an example of the formalist style (which focuses on color and form), in
color-blind. The Republican Party has aligned itself with the color-blind view, and the Democrats
which Lawless was interested at the time. The artist later abandoned formalism in favor of more
have taken a race-conscious approach—and both claim to be the true heirs to the Civil Rights
expressive sculpture about pressing social issues, including genocide.
Movement.
“Life Savers” was purchased by and donated to Penn by the late philanthropists Philip and
Smith said Obama, for his part, has carefully adopted more universal policies that appeal to
Muriel Berman, owners of the now-defunct Hess’s department store chain and cofounders of the
both his supporters and detractors, but both candidates seem to have decided “the best solution
Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College. Some of Lawless’ more well-known
is not to talk about race too much at all.”
works include “Oogie Boogie Blues,” “The Politician: A Toy,” “Broasted Babies Brew-Ha-Ha,” and
In response to an audience question about a so-called “Bradley effect” on Election Day, where
“Hungry Fish.”
white voters who don’t want to be labeled as racist say to pollsters they’re going to vote for
His 1984 piece, “Green Lighting”—a large-scale outdoor sculpture which featured 13 light-
Obama, but then cast their ballot for McCain, Smith didn’t seem to think it would matter.
ening bolts shooting into the ground alongside figures that appeared to be dancing male sex
“The Bradley effect is not likely to be huge in this campaign,” he said. “I don’t think there’s
organs—caused much controversy in Buffalo and led to a lawsuit between Lawless and the city.
any doubt that we will have the highest African American [voter] turnout since Reconstruc-
The case made it all the way to the New York State Supreme Court. A jury ruled in Lawless’ favor
tion.”
in 1992, but the artist won no damages.
8 October 30, 2008
PennCurrent
NEWS BRIEFS
Egypt up close at Penn Museum News you can use
BY TIM HYLAND
WHAT: The Egyptian Collection at the Penn Museum
WHERE: The Upper and Lower Egyptian galleries, in the heart of the Museum, 3620 South St.
WHY VISIT?: The Museum’s collection of Egyptian and Nubian material is one of the largest
CLIMATE DOUBLE HEADER
The Penn Museum and Penn Humanities Forum are offering two provocative climate
of its kind in the country. In total, it includes more than 42,000 objects—including architec-
ture, statuary, domestic artifacts, textiles, pottery, tools and human remains—collected during
change programs on Nov. 12. From 5 to 6:30 p.m., the Penn Humanities Forum on
more than a century of archaeological research. The collection spans all of ancient Egypt,
Change holds “Climate Change: Moral and Political Chal enges.” Dale Jamieson,
from 4,000 B.C. to the 7th Century A.D.
professor of environmental studies and philosophy at New York University, talks about
the chal enges facing world leaders as they attempt to address global climate change.
Pre-registration is requested. Cal 215-898-2680 or go to www.phf.sas.upenn.edu for
more information.
Afterward, stick around from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. for the talk, “Climate Crises in Human
History,” the culmination of the 2008 International Catastrophes Conference. At this
wide-ranging program, selected conference participants wil summarize the main points
of agreement and disagreement about climate change and then open the floor for
discussion. This is the latest in an occasional series, co-sponsored by the Penn Museum
and Penn’s Institute for Environmental Studies, that examines past and potential catas-
trophes and their impact on humanity. Previous catastrophe conference topics included
droughts, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. Pre-registration is requested. Cal 215-898-
2680 or go to www.museum.upenn.edu for more information.
Gutmann gets
tween Penn faculty and scholars across the
nation.
OUT AND ABOUT
a
r
l
o
‘Distinguished
The first in the series, Derald W. Sue, a
i
C
professor of psychology and education at
a
c
e
d
Professorship’
Columbia, spoke on Oct. 14 about “Racial
a
n
d
Microagressions in Everyday Life: Impacts
C
President Amy Gutmann can now add “dis-
on Students of Color.” Other upcoming pre-
tinguished professor” to her ever-growing list
senters include Luis Moll of the University
ONE OF THE BEST: “[The collection] is one
of job titles, as she was recently appointed to
of Arizona’s College of Education; Rochelle
See a slideshow of images from the
of the largest in the world,” says Joe Wegner,
the Christopher H. Brown Distinguished Pro-
Gutierrez of the University of Illinois at Ur-
Egyptian col ection by visiting our web site:
assistant curator of the Egyptian Section and
fessorship in Science by the School of Arts
bana-Champaign; Tyrone Howard of UCLA;
www.upenn.edu/pennnews/current.
associate professor of Near Eastern Languag-
and Sciences.
Miguel Urquiola of Columbia; and Anthony
es and Civilizations at Penn. “And one of the
Gutmann’s professorship is one of five
Lising Antonio of Stanford University.
distinctions of the collection is that it’s virtually entirely an archaeological collection—meaning
chairs recently established by a $15 million
the items were excavated through scientific excavations that were supported by Penn.”
gift to SAS from Penn alumnus, trustee, and
Six Penn profs
PALATIAL EXHIBIT: In the Lower Egyptian Gallery, visitors can explore massive pieces from
chair of the SAS Board of Overseers, Christo-
the most well-preserved royal palace ever excavated in Egypt, including the palace’s gateway
pher H. Browne. Gutmann, an internation-
tapped for IOM
entrance, massive columns, doorways and windows. The palace on display here was built for
ally acclaimed political scientist and philoso-
the pharaoh Merenptah, the 13th son and successor of Ramesses II, who ruled from 1224-1214
pher, and an award-winning teacher, also has
The Institute of Medicine, a nonprofit organi-
B.C. It was excavated between 1915 and 1922 by Penn Museum Curator Clarence S. Fisher.
secondary faculty appointments in the Phi-
zation that provides science-based advice on
PALATIAL ROOM, TOO: The gallery is “one of the grand architectural spaces on Penn’s
losophy Department in Arts and Sciences, at
matters of biomedical science, medicine and
campus,” Wegner says. “The Lower Egyptian Gallery is a magnificent room with a vaulted ceil-
the Annenberg School for Communication,
health, has elected six new members from
ing designed by a famous architect named Rafael Guastavino, who specialized in constructing
and at the Graduate School of Education.
Penn.
these magnificent terracotta values.
The new Penn members are: Jean Ben-
IT’S GOOD TO BE KING: The inscriptions on the huge palace gateway show Merenptah “ex-
New program
nett, senior investigator at the Scheie Eye
pressing dominance” over Egypt’s enemies.
Institute; Jonathan A. Epstein, scientific di-
CUT-DOWN COLUMNS: The columns that dominate the gallery are impressive enough—but
highlights
rector, Penn Cardiovascular Institute; Gary
Wegner points out that they aren’t actually shown at full height. Even with Guastavino’s soaring
A. Koretzky, vice chair for research and chief
ceiling, the columns in original form would have been too tall for the room. “If they were dis-
‘Scholars of Color’
scientific officer of the Department of Medi-
played at full height, they would rise much higher than the ceiling of the chamber,” he says.
cine; Ralph W. Muller, chief executive officer
THE SPHINX: The centerpiece of the Lower Egyptian Gallery is a 13-ton red granite sphinx—
To honor the contributions of scholars of
of the Penn Health System; Linda A. McCau-
the third-largest sphinx in the world. Penn’s sphinx was found in the Egyptian center of
color in education, the Graduate School of
ley, associate dean for nursing research; and
Memphis, but was actually quarried 600 miles away near the southern city of Aswan. “You can
Education has launched the “Visiting Faculty
J. Sanford Schwartz, Leon Hess Professor in
see one of the interesting features of the sphinx is its eroded face, you can see how in ancient
Scholars of Color” program. This program
Internal Medicine. The new inductees bring
times it was buried up to its shoulders, for millennia. It was eroded through wind and sand and
will bring six distinguished scholars to the
Penn’s total IOM members to 68, out of over
that gives it a bit of mystique.”
GSE for a short residency to meet with stu-
1,600 worldwide. Overall, the IOM named 65
SUMMING UP: “The Lower Egyptian Gallery, in particular, is visually just an amazing space,”
dents and faculty who share their research
new members this year.
Wegner says. “As you stand at one end of the gallery and you’re looking down at the face of
interests.
Ramesses II, you get a sense of the mystique and mystery of ancient Egypt. It’s a great introduc-
GSE Dean Andy Porter says the new pro-
Building lifelong
tion to the symbols of ancient Egypt and you get a sense of the long history of ancient Egypt.
gram is designed to celebrate the work of the
The span of history is remarkable.”
visiting scholars, as well as strengthen ties be-
leaders
Penn’s School of Engineering and Applied
Science has established the Rachleff Schol-
ars, a comprehensive honors program pre-
senting undergraduates the opportunity
Sweet Land of Liberty
to conduct research with University faculty,
organize partnerships with regional industry
and perform community outreach with stu-
dents and peers who share a common inter-
Memories of the Civil Rights Movement evoke images of church bombings, police dogs,
est in research and scholarship.
fire hoses and other forms of Southern racism. Yet the hostility African Americans and
The goal is to inspire talented students
their supporters faced in the north equaled or
to pursue creative careers in engineering
surpassed that of the south.
AHEAD OF THE CURRENT
by pairing them with inspiring faculty in the
The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., after em-
field. The program will include honors and
barking on his Chicago Freedom Movement in
Events in the weeks
graduate-level courses that teach students to
1966, remarked, “I’ve been in many demonstra-
design and carry out their own projects and
to come tions all across the South, but I can say that I
research, to read and understand scientific
had never seen, even in Mississippi, mobs as
material and technical papers, to evaluate
hostile and as hate-filled as in Chicago.”
technical contributions in critical ways and
On Dec. 4, Tom Sugrue, the Edmund J. and Louise W. Kahn Professor of History
to work alongside world-renowned faculty to
and Sociology at Penn, discusses his new book, “Sweet Land of Liberty: The Forgotten
co-author peer-reviewed articles.
Struggle for Civil Rights in the North.” In it, he provides an account of the abiding quest
The program is made possible by a gift
for justice in states from Illinois to New York.
from Debra and Andrew Rachleff, who is a
The event takes from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Penn Bookstore. For more information, call
Penn Trustee, chair of the Board of Over-
215-898-7595 or visit www.upenn.edu/bookstore.
seers of the School of Engineering, and part-
ner and co-founder of Benchmark Capital.
