Origin Stories is a feature of OMNIA in which we highlight the journeys of members of our faculty as they followed their paths from impressionable young students to world-class scholars working at the cutting edge of their fields.
Is race a real biological thing? Quayshawn Spencer was drawn to science early and on his way to becoming a biochemist when he ran into that question in a philosophy class and changed his career. Spencer, Robert S. Blank Presidential Associate Professor of Philosophy, is a specialist in the philosophies of science, biology, and race. He uses his training in philosophy and biology to investigate the study of human genetics, and whether there exists any biological racial classification that is useful in medical research. He is a coauthor of What Is Race? Four Philosophical Views.
Related Stories
2024 Year in Review
As the calendar flips to 2025, we look back at a few of the dozens of stories we had the privilege of sharing this past year.
Archaeological Science, Hands On
The Center for the Analysis of Archaeological Materials, a joint endeavor between Penn Arts & Sciences and the Penn Museum, celebrates 10 years of teaching students how to interpret the past in an interdisciplinary context.
How Do You Authenticate a Long-Lost Chopin Waltz?
Jeffrey Kallberg, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Music and incoming Interim Dean of Penn Arts & Sciences, recently helped verify the first major manuscript from the famous composer since the 1930s. Kallberg explains the intricate process.