Undergraduate Urban Research Colloquium (UURC)

Mentor: Jay Arzu (Ph.D. Candidate, City and Regional Planning) 

Contact: jayarzu@design.upenn.edu

Jay has a range of projects available for students to explore and choose from. When contacting Jay, please specify the project number and name you are interested in. 

1. Air Quality Impact Study: Pre-Construction vs. Post-Construction

• Objective: Assess how air quality along Roosevelt Boulevard might change if the subway is built.
• Methodology:
  • Use existing air quality data for the Boulevard, particularly NO2, PM2.5, and CO2 levels, gathered from city or state environmental agencies.
  • Use simulation software to estimate changes in traffic and vehicle emissions with the reduction of cars after subway construction.
  • Compare similar subway projects in other cities for a "before and after" analysis.
• Skills Involved: Environmental science, data analysis, GIS mapping of air quality hot spots, and urban planning. 

2. GIS-Based Study of Transit Deserts and Equity Along Roosevelt Boulevard

• Objective: Analyze the spatial distribution of transit access along the Roosevelt Boulevard corridor and evaluate whether the proposed subway would help alleviate transit inequities.
• Methodology:
  • Use GIS to map current transit routes and compare access to key amenities (hospitals, schools, grocery stores) in neighborhoods along Roosevelt Boulevard.
  • Conduct a demographic analysis of these areas (age, income, race, etc.) to assess who benefits most from increased transit access.
  • Create potential service area maps showing transit reach before and after subway construction.
• Skills Involved: GIS mapping, data visualization, urban geography, and social equity analysis.

3. Urban Heat Island Effect and Subway Development

• Objective: Investigate how the construction of the Roosevelt Boulevard Subway could mitigate the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect along the corridor.
• Methodology:
  • Gather temperature data for Roosevelt Boulevard and surrounding neighborhoods using publicly available weather station data and satellite imagery.
  • Map UHI patterns with and without potential reductions in traffic congestion due to subway development.
  • Conduct case studies of other cities where transit projects reduced traffic and urban heat.
• Skills Involved: Climate science, GIS, urban studies, and environmental planning.

4. Traffic Congestion and Commuter Flow Analysis Using GIS

• Objective: Model how traffic patterns on Roosevelt Boulevard might change if the subway is built.
• Methodology:
  • Use GIS to map current traffic flows along the Boulevard.
  • Incorporate data from traffic studies or public transportation agencies.
  • Create models to simulate shifts in commuter behavior after subway implementation.
  • Explore how traffic reduction could improve safety and reduce accidents along the Boulevard.
• Skills Involved: GIS modeling, traffic engineering, urban planning, and data analytics.

5. Public Health Impacts of the Roosevelt Boulevard Subway

• Objective: Investigate potential health benefits to local communities if the Roosevelt Boulevard Subway were built.
• Methodology:
  • Use public health and environmental health databases to assess rates of asthma, respiratory illness, and other traffic-related health conditions in neighborhoods near Roosevelt Boulevard.
  • Compare those findings with predictions for reduced car emissions and improved air quality from subway construction.
  • Map vulnerable populations and health impacts using GIS.
• Skills Involved: Public health, environmental science, GIS, and urban planning.

6. Historical GIS: Mapping the Evolution of Roosevelt Boulevard and the Subway Plans

• Objective: Create a historical GIS map that tracks the evolution of Roosevelt Boulevard and its associated subway proposals from the early 20th century to today.
• Methodology:
  • Use historical maps, planning documents, and newspaper archives to map the various proposals for the Roosevelt Boulevard Subway.
  • Analyze how the land use, zoning, and transportation needs of the surrounding areas have changed over time.
  • Explore the socio-political context behind delays or changes in subway planning through spatial analysis.
• Skills Involved: Historical research, GIS mapping, spatial analysis, and urban history.

7. Community Perception and Spatial Analysis of Proposed Roosevelt Boulevard Subway Stations

• Objective: Survey communities along Roosevelt Boulevard to understand their perception of the proposed subway stations and its potential impacts on their neighborhoods.
• Methodology:
  • Use GIS to map proposed subway stations and analyze their proximity to community resources.
  • Develop and distribute a survey to gauge community opinion about the subway, including concerns over displacement, safety, or economic benefits.
  • Use spatial analysis to compare communities more receptive to the subway versus those resistant.
• Skills Involved: GIS mapping, sociology, public opinion research, and community engagement.

8. Environmental Justice and the Roosevelt Boulevard Subway

• Objective: Examine the environmental justice implications of the Roosevelt Boulevard Subway project, particularly in communities that have historically been marginalized.
• Methodology:
  • Conduct a demographic and socio-economic analysis of neighborhoods along Roosevelt Boulevard.
  • Map environmental burdens (e.g., pollution, lack of green spaces) and overlay these with proposed subway routes and stations.
  • Investigate how the subway project could alleviate or exacerbate environmental injustices, using GIS to visualize findings.
• Skills Involved: Environmental justice, GIS, sociology, and urban planning.

Mentor: Lance Freeman (James W. Effron University Professor, City and Regional Planning, and Sociology)

Contact: lancefre@design.upenn.edu

This project is a sociohistorical study examining the impact of growing up in integrated public housing developments on later outcomes as an adult. In the 1930s the federal government sponsored the development of several public housing developments. Most of these developments were segregated by race, however, several were racially integrated. The development of integrated and segregated public housing developments at the same time provides a natural experiment to explore the long-term impacts of residential integration. The student will canvas archival data to identify public housing developments, document how the elbows developments changed demographically over time, and help identify individuals who resided in those developments as minors.

Mentor: Akira Drake Rodriguez (Assistant Professor, City and Regional Planning)

Contact: akirad@upenn.edu 

Public school facilities for K-12 students are necessary, but understudied and underfunded, components of the United States’ infrastructure. There are over 100,000 public K-12 schools in the United States serving over 50 million students, and employing over 6 million educators, administrators, and staff. Researchers estimate that carbon emissions from all K-12 public schools total 78 million metric tons annually, or 9 percent of all energy used by US buildings. By failing to adequately conceptualize and fund school facilities as community infrastructure, inadequate school facilities can weaken community-level resiliency and increase social vulnerability during climate change. In recent years, school districts have created and pursued climate and sustainability plans to address some of the above problems, but lack of funding and guidance create differential outcomes across places. This research proposal collects these plans for large (over 40,000 students) districts to understand not only how they are addressing facility-level issues, but also how they are (or can) address the broader educational, environmental, and energy injustices listed above.

Students will build on an already-existing database of K-12 sustainability/climate action plans, assess these plans for equity and justice using a pre-defined scoring matrix, interview stakeholders about the plan creation and implementation, and finalize a literature review on equity and justice in sustainability plans.

Mentor: Tian Hui (Ph.D. Student, City and Regional Planning)

Contact: huitian@design.upenn.edu

This project evaluates the impact of Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) on climate adaptation across 30 Chinese cities participating in the Sponge City Program since 2015. The research specifically examines GSI's effectiveness in flood reduction, water quality improvement, and Urban Heat Island (UHI) mitigation.

Students will learn to utilize Google Earth Engine for satellite imagery analysis, extracting key data such as surface temperature and flood-prone areas. The project incorporates both regression and machine learning models to investigate relationships between surface temperature patterns, land cover characteristics, and infrastructure deployment. Additionally, students will analyze the social equity aspects of GSI distribution within these cities.

While the primary focus is on Sponge Cities, students may alternatively choose to study a different city with established GSI implementation if they have a specific interest. Through this research, students will gain hands-on experience in remote sensing, data analysis, and understanding the social dimensions of urban climate adaptation strategies.

Mentor: Chaeri Kim (Natural Solutions Initiative Research Lead, Simon Fraser University)

Contact: chaerik@sfu.ca 

Cities are adopting green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) (e.g., rain gardens, stormwater parks, bioswales, green streets) to manage stormwater while providing co-benefits, such as improving air quality, mitigating heat, and beautifying neighborhoods. The City of Philadelphia is a leader in this field, investing over $2 billion. This project investigates whether these urban greening initiatives are implemented equitably from a community perspective through resident interviews.

Working with Dr. Chaeri Kim at Simon Fraser University and Dr. Sarah Heck at Temple University, a student will learn how urban greening projects and nature-based solutions are planned and implemented at a city scale and how they impact communities. No specific prerequisites are needed, but enthusiasm for environmental equity and justice is essential. The student will be involved in reviewing relevant literature, developing interview protocols, and conducting and analyzing interviews. They will also learn to conduct content analysis using software such as Zotero, Otter.ai, and Atlas.ti. If interested, the student may also use GIS to identify neighborhoods with GSI projects in Philadelphia. All research activities will be closely instructed and guided by the research managers.
 

Mentor: Bruce Zou (Wharton)

Contact: bruce.zou@wharton.upenn.edu

This project explores the potential impact of the proposed 76ers arena on gentrification and ethnic minority businesses in Philadelphia’s Chinatown, analyzing public-private partnerships' role in shaping redevelopment and community outcomes. By situating Chinatown within the broader context of urban immigrant neighborhoods, the research aims to inform policies that balance development with cultural preservation and economic resilience.

Mentor: Diana Negron (Ph.D. Student, City and Regional Planning) 

Contact: dpnegron@design.upenn.edu 

Interested in how property taxes shape Philadelphia neighborhoods? Join my research project exploring housing affordability, tax policy, and neighborhood change! You'll learn to map data using GIS, analyze trends affecting different communities, and research solutions for fairer property taxes. No prior experience needed - just curiosity about cities and interest in working with data to understand community issues. This is a great opportunity to develop research skills while studying real-world challenges facing Philadelphia neighborhoods. Looking for someone excited to learn, detail-oriented, and interested in how policy affects communities.

What you'll do:

🗺️ Create colorful maps showing neighborhood patterns (GIS mapping and spatial analysis)

📊 Analyze real data about housing and communities (Data analysis)

🏡 Learn how tax policies affect families and neighborhoods

🔍 Investigate solutions for fairer property taxes

📝 Tell the story of what you discover

Mikun Fasan, Biochemistry and Urban Studies, College of Arts & Sciences, and Simon Webber, Urban Studies, College of Arts & Sciences
Research Mentor: Chris Quattro, Assistant Professor, Geography and Planning Department, Appalachia State University
Spatial Analysis of Residential Zoning Classifications and their Colocation with Microclimate Externalities
According to the American Lung Association, Philadelphia is among the worst air quality for major cities in the United States. Our research focuses on the spatial co-location between ambient conditions and residential zoning designations throughout Philadelphia. The analysis focuses on particulate matter, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, temperature, and humidity readings corresponding with different tiers of residential zoning in Philadelphia. Additionally, observational characteristics of each neighborhood were also recorded to contextualize differences in the built environment for each location studied. The purpose of this research is to better understand variation among distinct classifications of zoning as it relates to shaping urban design and resulting microclimate conditions. Preliminary findings shed some light on differences in environmental conditions for neighborhoods of varying residential zoning tiers.

Marielle Kang, Environmental Studies, College of Arts & Sciences
Research Mentor: Simon Richter, Class of 1965 Endowed Term Professor of German, Germanic Languages and Literatures
Analyzing Stakeholder Engagement in Cebu, Philippines during Typhoon Odette
Over the last decade, the province of Cebu, Philippines has emerged as one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change impacts. In 2013, Cebu was victim to super Typhoon Yolanda and the Bohol Earthquake, and in 2021, Cebu was hit by super Typhoon Odette. Given the growing severity of climate-related risks and disasters, as well as the significant role of private sector actors in Cebu’s disaster risk management and reduction, this research seeks to characterize the contribution of private sector actors in the immediate relief operations following the 2021 super Typhoon Odette within the regional capital, Cebu City. Over the course of five months, we conducted and analyzed n = 17 semi-structured interviews with private relief providers in order to identify the risks and benefits of private sector-led climate resiliency. This analysis indicated the primary role that private sector business networks play within the context of limited public resources in facilitating the short-term collection, delivery, and distribution of immediate relief goods to high-risk communities. We further identified the necessity for future research in this field regarding the long-term impacts and continuity of these immediate relief operations, as well as the integration of aid recipient perspectives in order to evaluate the effectiveness of these initiatives.

Vivian Li, Business Analytics and Marketing, Wharton
Research Mentor: Bruce Zou, Organizational Learning & Leadership, Graduate School of Education
Localizing International Manufacturing Companies in the U.S. - Examining Successful Labor Practices
This study examines how changes in labor practices influence the manufacturing sector, a key driver of urban economies. By understanding these dynamics, this research contributes to the broader context of urban development, particularly in addressing how cities can adapt to post-pandemic economic shifts and labor market challenges. The resurgence of manufacturing, termed as a “manufacturing supercycle,” has significant implications for urban infrastructure, workforce development, and economic sustainability.

Khalid Mohieldin, Urban Studies, College of Arts & Sciences
Research Mentor: Heidi Artigue, PhD Student, Applied Economics, Wharton
Assessing the Spatial Dimensions and Consequences of Suburban Poverty in the US
Although most academic and policy attention towards poverty has been focused on the inner-city, a growing share of the American impoverished population is living in the suburbs. Over the past 30 years, America’s suburbs have experienced gradual economic and racial diversification. This trend is challenging our assumptions about how poverty manifests in American neighborhoods and how poverty is experienced by American households. This presentation will delve into the changing geographies of low-income people in the U.S., including the distribution of poor people in America’s suburbs and predictors of poverty in suburban neighborhoods. This presentation will also explore the challenges experienced by low-income Americans, including barriers preventing low-income people from accessing vital welfare resources. Overall, this presentation aims to offer a statistical lens at the changing economies and geographies of America’s suburbs.

Natalie Vasquez, Urban Studies, College of Arts & Sciences
Research Mentor: Heidi Artigue, PhD Student, Applied Economics, Wharton
Safety Perceptions Among Womxn from Socially Marginalized Communities in Philadelphia: Preliminary Findings
This research aimed to understand perceptions of safety within Philadelphia, experiences with community and public services, and how these factors impact daily life for womxn from socially marginalized communities. Preliminary findings, gathered through five interviews with key informants revealed that for womxn, safety encompasses physical protection, freedom from fear, and the ability to express oneself without negative repercussions. However, womxn in Philadelphia generally feel unsafe within the city, with some calling it unpredictable and characterized by “dense energy,” while most believe that public transportation is reflective of broader safety issues. Despite this, strong community ties help some feel secure in familiar neighborhoods, emphasizing the value of local support networks. Understanding these issues can guide policymakers and organizations to create strategies that address the unique challenges faced by womxn in urban environments.

Student: Amy Zhang, Wharton  
Research Mentor: Shengxiao (Alex) Li, Postdoctoral Researcher, School of Public Policy, University of California  
Project: Analyzing the Interactive Effect of Race and Neighborhood Attributes in Predicting Traffic Stop Outcomes Using Artificial Intelligence 

Student: Khue Tran, SAS 
Research Mentor: Chaeri Kim, Postdoctoral researcher, Simon Fraser University 
Project: Asian American Participation in Climate Adaptation Planning; A Case Study of New York City's Heat Adaptation Strategies 

Student: Shevell Higgs, SAS 
Research Mentor: Amber Mackey, Political Science PhD Candidate, School of Arts and Sciences 
Project: Changing Legislative Racial Landscape in Wisconsin: Measuring Shifts in Legislative Attention to Race 

Student: Luke Campos, SAS 
Research Mentor: Eugenie Birch, Nussdorf Professor of Urban Research, Weitzman School of Design 
Project: Exploring How the Galápagos Islands Can Promote Sustainability and Build Resilience in Response to Rising Tourism 

Student: Yeeun Yoo, SAS 
Research Mentor: Mary Rocco, Director of Engaged Scholarship, Community Engagement and Inclusion, Barna
Project: Mutual Aid in New York City: Student-led Aid and Efforts 

Student: Victoria Sousa, SAS 
Research Mentor: Amber Mackey, PhD Candidate, Political Science, School of Arts and Sciences 
Project: Racial Policy and Agenda Instability: Measuring Shifts in Legislative Attention to Race in Michigan’s State Legislature 

Student: Talyah Pierce, SAS 
Research Mentor: Jay Arzu, PhD Candidate, City and Regional Planning 
Project: Walkability in Northeast Philadelphia: Investigating how Walkability Influences Transportation Habits of Residents 

Student: Joey Jung, SAS
Research Mentor: Yeonhwa Lee, City and Regional Planning PhD Candidate
Project: What Does It Mean to Gentrify? Operationalizing Three Conceptions of Gentrification in Philadelphia

Student: Ma (Marielle) Kang, SAS
Research Mentor: Domenic Vitiello, City and Regional Planning Associate Professor, and Michael Naim, Urban Studies Lecturer
Project: The Social Impact of Urban Gardens in Philadelphia, PA and Camden, NJ

Student: Mica Lin-Alves, SAS
Research Mentor: Astrid Pickenpack, GSE PhD Candidate
Project: K-12 Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Parents and Their Social Network

Student: Michelle Nguyen, SAS
Research Mentor: Nancy Ma, Architecture PhD Candidate
Project: Localizing Urban Heat Island At Microclimate Scale

Student: Ha-Nam Yoon, SAS
Research Mentor: Chaeri Kim, City and Regional Planning PhD Candidate
Project: Exploring the Influence of Equity Provisions in Federally Mandated Green Infrastructure Projects on the Inclusivity of Decision-Making Processes and Community Satisfaction

Student: Yuxi Xiong, UCL exchange student
Research Mentor: Richard Patti, Sociology PhD Candidate
Project: Understanding the Moderating Effect of Job Accessibility on the Relationship Between Racial Segregation and Unemployment: A Case Study in Philadelphia

Student: Ailbhe Yasmín Wallis, SAS
Research Mentor: Chris Quattro, Design PhD Candidate
Project: Analyzing the Zoning Code Law of San Antonio, TX

Student: Julia Mitchell, Wharton
Research Mentor: Patricio Zambrano-Barragan, Design PhD Candidate
Project: Housing Venezuelan Migrants in Latin American Host Country Cities: Reccomendations for a Hybrid Policy Model 

Student: Adam Goudjil, SAS
Research Mentor: Yeonhwa Lee, Design PhD Candidate
Project: Giving to Revitalize: Examining Philanthropic Influence in Revitalizing Small Legacy Cities

Student: Anna Duan, SAS
Research Mentor: Alex Li, Design PhD Candidate
Project: Who Has Access to Philadelphia's Senior Centers?

Student: Ava Esquier, SAS
Research Mentor: Lisa Servon, Design
Project: Gender and the Financialization of the Criminal Justice System

Student: Trae Jordan, Wharton
Research Mentor: Samuel Geldin, Design PhD Candidate
Project: Assessing Equity in Disaster Risk Management in Kansas City and Miami

Student: Georgia Ray, SAS
Research Mentor: Chaeri Kim, Design PhD Candidate
Project: Perceptions of Public Green Stormwater Infrastructure

Student: Samantha Stein, SAS
Research Mentor: Justin Clapp, Medicine
Project: When All Is Experimental: Marshaling Ethics Aesthetics Through Autonomy Formulations in Urban U.S. Emergency Medicine Research

Student: Margaret Tebbe, SAS
Research Mentor: Akira Drake Rodriguez, Design and Molly McGlone, SAS
Project: West Philadelphia Neighborhood Community Study

Student: Samantha Stein, SAS
Research Mentor: Aaron Levy, SAS
Project: A Comparative Ethnographic Study on Employment Practices at Local Urban Universities

Student: Kavya Singh, SAS
Research Mentor: Megan Farwell, SP2 PhD Candidate
Project: Community Engagement in City-Based Human Service Funding Decisions

Student: Anunya Bahanda, SAS
Research Mentor: Kimberly Noronha, Design PhD Candidate
Project: The Construction of Histories of James Town: Oral, Written & Mapped

Student: Aaron Soo Ping Chow, SAS
Research Mentor: Haisheng Yang, GSE PhD Candidate
Project: Local Accountability Effects in Philadelphia

Student: Pinar Goktas, Nursing/SAS
Research Mentor: Eugenie Birch & Allison Lassiter, Design
Project: Restorying the Scale of Death: Thirteen Reasons Why We Need "Small Stories" in Urban Education

Student: Patrick Teese, SAS; Rachel Chu, SAS; Sophia Ye, Wharton
Research Mentor: Christiana Kallon, GSE PhD Candidate
Project: Smart Cities

Student: Adamseged Abebe, SAS/SP2
Research Mentor: Aaron Levy, SAS
Project: The Role of Teachers in Creating Positive School Climate In The Context of Low-Income and Conflict-Affected Countries

Student: Abigail McGuckin, SAS
Research Mentor: Michael Nairn, SAS
Project: Wet-lining: Are Changes to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) a Form of Redlining in pre-Flood Insurance Rate Map (pre-FIRM) in Minority Communities? A Case Study of Eastwick in Southwest Philadelphia

Student: Adamseged Abebe, SAS
Research Mentor: Ramah McKay, SAS
Project: Impact of Chinese Investment in Ethiopian Infrastructure

Student: Allen Zhu, SAS
Research Mentor: Lorene Cary, SAS
Project: Into the Heart of History: Examining the Effectiveness of Safe Kids Stories

Student: Ebehireme Inegbenebor, SAS
Research Mentor: Onoso Imoagene, SAS
Project: Making Their Mark: Community Formation and Socioeconomic Mobility in Nigerian Immigrant Communities

Student: Elise Reynolds, SAS
Research Mentor: Amy Hillier, SAS
Project: Mapping Recovery: The spatial nature of services addressing homelessness in Philadelphia

Student: Seyeon Kim, SAS
Research Mentor: Hans-Peter Kohler, SAS
Project: Whose education matters: what is the effect of family members' education on the health outcomes of the elderly?

Student: Sheila Shankar, LPS
Research Mentor: Aaron Levy, SAS
Project: Towards Transformative Knowledge Production: Understanding Health through Civic Engagement and Multimodal Methodologies

Student: Noah Hollin, SAS
Research Mentor: Mary Rocco, Penn IUR
Project: Conventional Benefits? Examining the Revitalization Outcomes of the 2016 Democratic and Republican National Conventions in Philadelphia and Cleveland

Student: Mira Kaplin, SAS
Research Mentor: Eugenie Birch, Design
Project: In My Back Yard: Housing Insecurity and Informal Responses in Cape Town, South Africa

Student: Michael Jean, SAS
Research Mentor: Molly McGlone, SAS
Project: The Preservation of Historic Sounds: Community Efforts to Restore and Maintain the Paul Robeson and the John Coltrane Houses

Student: Andro Mathewson, SAS
Research Mentor: Anna Vallye, SAS
Project: Martin Wagner, Urban Planner in Exile:  An exploration of the physical manifestations of Martin Wagner’s theoretical and philosophical ideas

Student: Seyeon Kim, SAS
Research Mentor: Hans-Peter Kohler, SAS
Project: Urban Ageing Policies in Philadelphia and Daegu

Student: Khaled Abdulkarim, SAS
Research Mentor: Heather Sharkey, SAS
Project: Non-Nationals in the Gulf: Bidoons (Stateless Arabs) in Kuwait and Migrant Workers in the United Arab Emirates

Student: Zoe Blickendorfer, SAS
Research Mentor: Domenic Vitiello, Design
Project: The Planned Destruction of Chinatown in the U.S. and Canada, 1900-2010

Student: Ryan Hall, SAS
Research Mentor: Michael Nairn, SAS
Project: Equity and Environmental Justice in the Planning Process for the Reading Viaduct

Student: Angela Perfetti, SAS
Research Mentor: Heather Sharkey, SAS
Project: Philadelphia and Its Iraqi Refugees: Lessons from the Northeast

Student: Joycelyn Pickens, SAS
Research Mentor: Mary Summers, SAS
Project: Cities and Unemployed Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents: Impacts of and Relations to Changing Public Benefit Regimes

Student: Adam Shapiro, SAS
Research Mentor: Naomi Waltham-Smith, SAS
Project: Listening to Chinese Cities: A Study of Precarity through Field Recordings

Student: Andrew Simpson, SAS
Research Mentor: Ariel Ben-Amos, SAS
Project: Where Are the Parklets? An Analysis of Parklet Location Dynamics

Student: Roshani Waas, Nursing
Research Mentor: Anne Teitelman, Nursing
Project: Assessing NOW I KNOW Mobile App for HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Education

Student: Tess Kerins, SAS
Research Mentor: Elaine Simon, SAS
Project: Assessing the influence of resistance to market-based education reform on school change narrative in Philadelphia via media scan

Student: Carmen Abello, Wharton
Research Mentor: Richard Voith, Wharton
Project: Pensions Systems and Political Parties

Student: Megan Brookens, SAS
Research Mentor: Molly McGlone, SAS
Project: A sonic history of West Philadelphia through music education: A look at West Philadelphia High School and Henry C. Lea Elementary School music program ca. 1910-present

Student: Iz Korostoff, SAS
Research Mentor: Amy Hillier, SP2
Project: The Ward: Race and Class in Du Bois' Seventh Ward

Student: Olivia Lopez, SAS
Research Mentor: Amy Hillier, SP2
Project: Chester food shopping study

Student: Anne Stack, SAS; Laura Rigell, SAS
Research Mentor: Eugenie Birch, Design
Project: Land for public good: Sites and services, a solution to rapid urbanization?

Student: Marco Herndon, SAS
Research Mentor: Michael Johanek, Education
Project: School Reform and Head Start at Norris Square Civic Association

Student: Margaret Buff, SAS
Research Mentor: Mary Summers, SAS
Project: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits Access in Philadelphia

Student: SoYoung Park, SAS
Research Mentor: Eugenie Birch, Design
Project: Dadeok Innopolis in Korea and the Philadelphia Innovation District Initiatives

Student: Kristen Kelly, SAS
Research Mentor: Fariha Khan, SAS
Project: Asian American Communities in Philadelphia: Development and Contemporary Issues

Student: Tan Chan, SAS
Research Mentor: Ariel Ben-Amos, SAS
Project: Sustainable Block Program in Philadelphia

Student: Sheila Quintana, SAS
Research Mentor: Domenic Vitiello, Design
Project: Immigrant Community Issues in Harrisburg, PA

Student: Samaira Sirajee, Wharton
Research Mentor: Elaine Simon, SAS
Project: Grassroots Resistance to Market-Based School Reform in Philadelphia

Student: Melanie Young, SAS
Research Mentor: Rebecca Maynard, Education
Project: Developing an Assessment of College Access Programs in Philadelphia

Student: Emily Zhang, SEAS
Research Mentors: Paul Amos, Wharton; Mark Alan Hughes, Design
Project: A Philadelphia Multi-permit Program for Ecosystem Services

Student: Qingying Xia, SAS
Research Mentor: Shahana Chattaraj, Lauder Institute Wharton
Project: Urban Planning, Modernization and Economic Development in Post-Colonial States/ Developing Countries

Student: Filippo Bulgarelli, SAS
Research Mentor: Matthew Steinberg, Education
Project: The New Educational Accountability: Understanding the Logic and Landscape of Teacher Evaluation in the Post-NCLB Era

Student: Juan Visser, Urban Studies
Research Mentor: Andrew Mondschein, Design
Project: Transit Oriented Development in the Arlington, Virginia Metro Corridor

Student: Alexandra Bendheim, Urban Studies
Research Mentor: Eugenie Birch, Design
Project: Identifying Smart City Initiatives

Student: Kelsey Liburd, Nursing
Research Mentor: Bridgette Brawner, Nursing
Project: A Spatially-Based Approach To Understanding HIV/AIDS in Urban Environments

Student: Jenny Chen, Economics
Research Mentor: Domenic Vitiello, Design
Project: Urban Agriculture and Community Gardening in Philadelphia and Chicago

Student: Taryn Williams, Urban Studies
Research Mentor: Eric Schneider, History
Project: Homicide in Philadelphia in 2012

Student: Alyssa Bonnell, Health and Societies
Research Mentor: Carolyn Cannuscio, Family Medicine and Community Health
Project: Art Well: Understanding the Health Impact of a Female Adolescent Arts-Based Life Skills Workshop

Student: Ellie Sun, Religious Studies
Research Mentor: Shahana Chattaraj, Wharton Lauder Institute
Project: Informal Housing and Real Estate Markets in Mumbai

Student: Lauren Johnson, Nursing
Research Mentor: Barbara Mann Wall, Nursing
Project: Medicalized Childbirth and Medical Mission Sisters in Africa

Student: Claire Shimberg, SAS
Research Mentor: Jonathan Barnett, Design
Project: District Level Energy Efficiency and The Role of Urban Business Improvement Districts

Student: Ian MacLean, SAS
Research Mentor: Eugenie Birch, Design
Project: Energy Education on the Penn Campus and the PJM Widget

Student: Ram Narayan, SAS
Research Mentor: Saswati Sarkar, Engineering
Project: The Economic Geography of Smart Grid Business in America

Student: Julie Berez 
Research Mentor: Matthew McHugh, Nursing
Project: Nursing Practice and Patient Outcomes in Urban Hospitals

Student: Samantha Napierkowski, SAS
Research Mentor: Matthew McHugh, Nursing
Project: Nursing Practice and Patient Outcomes in Urban Hospitals

Student: Julian Smyth, SAS
Research Mentor: Eric Schneider, SAS
Project: American Necropolis: Homicide in the Modern City

Student: Katie Oberwager, SAS
Research Mentor: Domenic Vitiello, Design
Project: Latin American Immigrant Urban Agriculture

Student: Bailey Brown, SAS
Research Mentor: Kathy Hall, GSE
Project: Mapping School Choice: A Geospatial Analysis of Educational Markets in the Greater Philadelphia Region

Student: Jamie Etkind, SAS
Research Mentor: Brian Spooner, SAS
Project: An Evaluation of the Feasibility of Replicating Different Models of Assisted Community Schools

Student: Emily Goshey, SAS
Research Mentor: Fariha Khan, SAS
Project: African American Muslims: An Exploration of Identity in Philadelphia

Student: Willa Granger, SAS
Research Mentor: George Thomas, SAS
Project: The Impact of the Franklin Institute on Nineteenth Century Philadelphia

Student: Rebecca Havivi, SAS
Research Mentor: Mary Summers, SAS
Project: Growing Urban Utopias: Exploring Educational Urban Agriculture in West Philadelphia

Student: Aaron Lewis, SAS
Research Mentor: Eugenie Birch, Design
Project: Governance of Urban Water in Pakistan

Student: Sindhuri Nandhakumar, SAS
Research Mentor: Brian Spooner, SAS
Project: Examining the Civic Engagement of Muslims in Philadelphia

Student: Sugandha Singh, SAS
Research Mentor: Brian Spooner, SAS
Project: Proposal for Reproductive Health Research Project in India

Student: Nicole Thomas, SAS
Research Mentor: Felipe Gorostiza, SAS
Project: The Role of Community Development Corporations in West Philadelphia

Student: Taryn Williams, SAS
Research Mentor: Phillipe Bourgois, SAS
Project: Hopeless in Philadelphia: A City in Need

Student: Joanna Karaman, SAS
Research Mentor: Eugenie Birch, Design
Project: Bernice Elza Homes: A Case Study in Sustainable Urban Development

Student: Roopa Gogineni, SAS
Research Mentor: Carolyn C. Cannuscio, Medicine
Project: African Muslims on the Health of Philadelphia: A Photo-documentation Project

Student: Sarah Sanchez, SAS
Research Mentor: Carolyn C. Cannuscio, Medicine
Project: Homeowners in Default or Foreclosure: An Examination of the Health Implications of Financial Strain

Student: Sue (Shou) Hua, SAS
Research Mentor: Fernando Ferreira, Wharton
Project: The Impact of Income Distribution on School Investment in Philadelphia, PA

Student: Haywood Perry, SAS
Research Mentor: Ira Harkavy, SAS
Project: The Role of Urban University Undergraduate Student Organizations in Community Relations

Student: Will Darwall, SAS
Research Mentor: Michael Katz, SAS
Project: Immigration and Urban Revitalization

Student: Yuval Orr, SAS
Research Mentor: Heather Sharkey, SAS
Project: Hip-Hop in Fes: Islam, Faith, and the Convergence of Cultures

Student: Shane McWilliams, SAS
Research Mentor: Mary Summers, SAS
Project: Identifying Key Causal Factors in County/State Food Stamp Enrollment Rates

Student: Juliana Pineda, SAS
Research Mentor: Domenic Vitiello, Design
Project: Civil Society and Economic Integration in Puerto Rican and Mexican Philadelphia

Student: Misha Chakrabarti, SAS
Research Mentor: Brian Spooner, SAS
Project: Water-related Urban Issues

Student: Sandra Zhao, SAS
Research Mentor: Brian Spooner, SAS
Project: Gender in Global Community Gardens

Student: Alexandra Malikova, SEAS
Research Mentor: Rachel Weinberger, Design
Project: Measuring Walkability in Urban Environments

Student: Ayasha Guerin, SAS
Research Mentor: Richard Wesley, Design
Project: Undergraduate Course on Green Architecture and Urban Sustainability

Student: George Karandinos, SAS
Research Mentor: Philippe Bourgois, SAS
Project: Income Generating Strategies of Three Social Networks of Puerto Rican Youth

Student: Jana Ariel Hirsch, SAS
Research Mentor: Richard Pepino, SAS
Project: Heavy Metal Contaminants in Urban Community Gardens

Student: Alison Marcus, SAS
Research Mentor: Eric Schneider, SAS
Project: American Necropolis: The History of Homicide and Homicide as History

Student: Cameron Hu, SAS
Research Mentor: Heather Sharkey, SAS
Project: Fever Dreams of the Modern Urban: Products and Spatial Politics on the Arabian Gulf

Student: Gabriella Blake, SAS
Research Mentor: Harris Steinberg, Design
Project: The Role of Public Participation and Civic Engagement in the Creation of Public Art in Philadelphia

Student: Sheyla Medina, SAS
Research Mentor: Mary Summers, SAS
Project: Lea Lunch and Recess Initiative

Student: Elise Miller, SAS
Research Mentor: Mary Summers, SAS
Project: Efficacy of Student Volunteers with Internet Access to Assist Clients with Enrollment in Public Benefits Programs at City Health Clinics

Student: Ben Dubow, SAS
Research Mentor: Domenic Vitiello, Design
Project: Community Development in Arab and Muslim Philadelphia

Student: Nadja Eisenberg-Guyot, SAS
Research Mentor: Philippe Bourgois, SAS
Project: Ethnography of the harm reduction potential of North Philadelphia shooting galleries

Student: Carlos Martinez-Ruiz, SAS
Research Mentor: Philippe Bourgois, SAS
Project: Ethnographic exploration of challenges to accessing and adhering to HIV services among Latinos in North Philadelphia: A community-based collaboration

Student: Jeannette P Schroeder, SAS
Research Mentor: Carolyn C. Cannuscio, Medicine
Project: Filthadelphia: A systematic analysis of the causes and health consequences of inadequate waste management in a large US city

Student: Yuri Castaño, SAS
Research Mentor: Domenic Vitiello, Design
Project: Social movements and community development in Latino Philadelphia

Student: Ashwin G. Shandilya, Wharton
Research Mentor: Eugenie Birch, Design
Project: The rise of car share projects in U.S. cities

Student: Zohra Ahmed, SAS
Research Mentor: Brian Spooner, SAS
Project: Clarifying existing definitions of globalization and building on them to enrich our understanding of the processes of qualitative social change in different parts of the world

Student: Jennifer Bronson, SAS
Research Mentor: John Puckett, GSE
Project: History of the University of Pennsylvania expansion in West Philadelphia

Student: Jessica Levine, SAS
Research Mentor: John Puckett, GSE
Project: History of the University of Pennsylvania expansion in West Philadelphia

Student: Christina Graysom, SAS
Research Mentor: Tom Sugrue, SAS
Project: The Philadelphia Civil Rights Documentation Project

Student: Sarah Iosifescu, Wharton
Research Mentor: Andy Lamas, SAS
Project: Leadership among community development financial institutions

Student: Caitlin Phillips, Nursing
Research Mentor: Anne Teitelman, Nursing
Project: Understanding Teen Partner Violence and Pathways to Safety

Student: Roberta Cricco-Lizza, Nursing
Research Mentor: Diane Spatz, Nursing
Project: Mothers' Beliefs and Experiences Regarding Breastfeeding in Public Urban Areas

Student: Oscar Benitez, SAS
Research Mentor: Domenic Vitiello, SAS (Urban Studies)
Project: Documenting the Undocumented: Community and Economic Development among Mexican Immigrants

Student: Benjamin Schneider, SAS
Research Mentor: Vukan Vuchic, SEAS
Project: Definition of the National Rail Passenger System Needed in the United States

Student: Allison Ramsey-Lefevre, Nursing
Research Mentor: Stella Volpe, Nursing
Project: Assessment of the Effect of "Girls on the Go" Program on the Fitness of 3rd-5th Grade Girls

Student: Andrew Turner, SAS; Sarah DeWolf, SAS
Research Mentor: Jennifer Leung, Design
Project: Baghdad Year Zero

Student: Joshua Hoffman, SAS
Research Mentor: John Kromer, Fels
Project: Tax Delinquent Properties in Philadelphia

Student: Courtney Edwards
Research Mentor: Eugenie Birch, Design
Project: Anchor Institutions

Student: Danielle Hardoon, SAS
Research Mentor: Kathy Schultz, GSE
Project: Documenting the experiences of new "Teach for America" teachers, and exploring the changing natures of their career goals as connected to their experiences in Philadelphia classrooms

Student: Shakirah Simley, SAS
Research Mentor: Ram Cnaan, Social Policy and Practice
Project: Exploring urban-suburban congregational collaborations in the Greater Philadelphia area

Student: Katherine Ball, Nursing
Research Mentor: Christopher Coleman, Nursing
Project: Examining the effects of HA ART on health-related quality of life among HIV seropositive African Americans

Student: 
Research Mentor: Rachel Weinberger, Design
Project: Continuing a project that examined gender differences in commute time in San Francisco by comparing the findings to research in Philadelphia

Student: Lindsay Berger, SAS
Research Mentor: Thomas McKenna, SAS (Fels)
Project: Examining youth advocacy groups and political activity among Philadelphia youths and comparing it to similar research done in San Francisco by the University of Michigan

Student: Cindy Lou Cuesta, Nursing
Research Mentor: Eileen Sullivan-Marx, Nursing
Project: Examining the health promotion activities of urban dwelling older adults in Philadelphia

Student: Yan (Julie) Shen, SAS; Jessica Appleton, SAS
Research Mentor: Mary Summers, SAS
Project: Examining barriers to food stamp access for eligible Philadelphians

Student: Elizabeth (Bess) Staebler, Nursing
Research Mentor: Stella Volpe, Nursing
Project: Identifying and evaluating barriers to walking or bicycling for low-income African-Americans in West Philadelphia

Student: Andrew Goodman, SAS
Research Mentor: Thomas J. Sugrue, SAS (History)
Project: The politicization of police-community relations and black urban politics in the North, c. 1960-1980

Student: Abukari Zuberi, SAS
Research Mentor: Dennis P. Culhane, Social Work
Project: The impact of affordable homeowner and rental housing projects in Philadelphia funded through Philadelphia's Community Development Block Grant funding

Student: Justine B. Llop, Nursing
Research Mentor: Linda A. McCauley, Nursing
Project: Development of an urban registry for sexual assault cases

Student: Benjamin Berman, SAS
Research Mentors: Eric Schneider, SAS (History); Amy Hillier, SSW/SAS (Urban Studies)
Project: To create an online GIS version of The Philadelphia Negro, the classic work of sociology written by W.E.B. Du Bois in 1898 based on his survey of Philadelphia's old 7th ward.

Student: Tara Krueger, SAS
Research Mentor: Rachel Weinberger, Design (City Planning)
Project: Update the research documented in Weinberger and Chapple's 1996 paper, "Is Shorter Better? An analysis of gender, race, and industrial segregation in San Francisco Bay Area commuting patterns," using 2000 public use micro-sample (PUMS) data.

Student: Alex Dogariu, SAS
Research Mentor: Fernando Vendramel Ferreira, Wharton (Real Estate)
Project: Does Legal Status Matter? Effects of the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act Amnesty on Residential Choice.

Student: Rebecca Aronson, SAS
Research Mentor: David Grazian, SAS (Sociology)
Project: How the anonymity of urban nightlife affords young persons the opportunity to experiment with adult roles and urban lifestyles as they negotiate their way through the city and fulfill fantasies of urban life.

Student: Katherine Fleming, SAS
Research Mentor: Andrea B. Troxel, Medicine (Biostatistics and Epidemiology)
Project: To decrease the level of conflict in the 1st and 2nd grade classrooms at Charles R. Drew Elementary School by implementing a conflict resolution program involving storytelling and "conflict resolution" activities in the classroom.

Student: Jay Ahlmer, Wharton
Research Mentor: Diana Slaughter-Defoe, GSE
Project: Evaluating the feasibility of developing Philadelphia Freedom Schools

Student: Peter M. Volynsky, Wharton
Research Mentor: Lynne Sagalyn, Wharton/Design
Project: The Impact of Preservation upon Value and the Urban Landscape