Penn's 2025 President's Prizes back bold student solutions for real-world change
Five student-led projects from the University of Pennsylvania have won the 2025 President's Prizes. Each initiative tackles real-world challenges, from youth mentorship to sustainable farming. The winners will receive funding to turn their ideas into action after graduation.
The prizes recognise ventures that combine innovation with community impact. This year's recipients include teams focused on nutrition, senior care, agricultural efficiency, and creative education for disadvantaged children.
Ejohn Mary Hong and Jack Nicholas Roney, both double majors in the College of Arts & Sciences, secured the President's Engagement Prize for LensBright, a weekly art mentorship programme. It connects under-resourced Philadelphia youth with student mentors through project-based learning. Backed by the Netter Center for Community Partnerships, the initiative stands out as no other local school has introduced a similar camera-based art programme for disadvantaged students.
Imani Nkrumah Ardayfio, Inaya Zaman, and Rashmi Acharya, also from the College of Arts & Sciences, won the same prize for Nourish to Flourish. Their project uses data to encourage K-6 students to choose healthier foods. The goal is to cut food insecurity while promoting nutritional equity in young children.
Melanie Herbert and Alexandra Popescu, both from Penn Engineering, earned the President's Innovation Prize for Sync Labs, a privacy-focused AI system disguised as picture frames. The technology tracks seniors' daily routines, helping caregivers respond faster and offer more tailored support. Early results show it has shortened care-transition times, allowing staff to assist more seniors each day.
Piotr Lazarek, a dual-degree graduate from the School of Engineering & Applied Science and the Wharton School, claimed the President's Sustainability Prize. His startup Nirby uses precision farming tools to cut fertilizer costs by up to 40% while boosting crop yields by 15%.
Each winning team receives a $50,000 living stipend and $100,000 in project funding. The President's Prizes support graduates in developing solutions that create measurable, long-term benefits for communities.
The 2025 winners will now move forward with their projects, backed by financial support and university resources. Their work spans education, healthcare, agriculture, and social equity—each designed to deliver practical results.
The prizes highlight Penn's commitment to fostering student-led initiatives that address pressing global and local issues. All five projects are set to launch within the year.
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