Seven graduating seniors were awarded the 2024 President’s Engagement and Innovation Prizes, which provide $100,000 in funding for projects designed to make a positive, lasting difference in the world. Each team member also receives a $50,000 living stipend and mentorship from a Penn faculty member. The prizes are the largest of their kind in higher education. Here are this year’s winning projects:
PRESIDENT’S ENGAGEMENT PRIZES
Educate to Empower | Simran Rajpal C’24 and Gauthami Moorkanat C’24 will work to identify and dismantle barriers to breast cancer screenings in marginalized communities through education and resources at community centers in Philadelphia. Mentor: Leisha Elmore, assistant professor of surgery at the Perelman School of Medicine and chief of breast surgery at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.
Presby Addiction Care Program | Anooshey Ikhlas C’24, Brianna Aguilar C’24, and Catherine Hood C’24 plan to implement a volunteer program at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center aimed at addressing challenges encountered by individuals with substance use disorders during hospitalization. Mentor: Jeanmarie Perrone, professor of emergency medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine and founding director of the Penn Medicine Center for Addiction Medicine and Policy.
PRESIDENT’S INNOVATION PRIZE
Jochi | Yash Dhir EAS’24 and Rahul Nambiar EAS’24 will grow an online ed-tech management platform that improves the educational experience of students with ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences—and helps teachers and administrators support these students. Mentor: Amanda Antico, a teacher in the Education Entrepreneurship program in the Graduate School of Education.
