Normally, Penn Biology professor Lawrence Rome's academic life consists of teaching classes and researching fish. But when the Navy came calling, he decided to turn his attention to a new pursuit - backpacks. Traditionally an expert on how fish swim, Rome recently finished designing a new "suspended-load ergonomic backpack," which will likely be used by the armed services to lighten the loads carried by soldiers overseas.

Poker fanatics will soon have another outlet for their gambling desires. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board awarded licenses on Dec. 20 for two casinos in Philadelphia to developers of the Foxwoods and SugarHouse casinos. The committee had received five bids.

For the next week, Penn guys will have the chance to stuff their faces with wings, ice cream and barbecued burgers - and maybe join a fraternity as well. Many frats across campus are relying on food to lure in prospective brothers throughout the next two weeks of rush, which began last night.

The man allegedly responsible for a series of robberies at point-of-screwdriver has been charged with a total of eight counts of robbery, according to Penn Division of Public Safety officials. Troy Brown, 34, of West Philadelphia was initially charged on Dec.

For most Penn students, a $30 meal at Brasserie Perrier is a bargain. But the same price for a meal at local eatery Nan? It just doesn't quite have the same appeal. Starting this Thursday, 21 West Philadelphia restaurants are offering multi-course menus for $30 or less during the third-annual University City Dining Days.

PENN In early January 2002, two Penn Engineering student groups merged in order to combine forces to improve technology in West Philadelphia schools. One beneficiary of CommuniTech/Puente's aid was John P. Turner Middle School, located at 59th Street and Baltimore Avenue.

Doctors may need to find another source of funding for their golfing trips. The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations - a Swiss-based organization that represents international pharmaceutical companies - enacted a new code last week that will help officials monitor drug representatives who, for years, have often offered elaborate gifts in an attempt to influence physicians' drug purchases.

While reading Don Quixote in Spanish might be educational, the future of foreign-language classes may rest in activities more akin to eating tapas while discussing the Euro. A report from the Modern Language Association - a New York-based organization that offers educational suggestions to humanities departments in institutions across the country - will recommend that foreign-language curricula at national universities cover a wider breadth of cultural topics, said MLA Executive Director Rosemary Feal.

After two mistrials in the hearings of murder suspect Irina Malinovskaya, prosecutors are preparing for round three. The prosecution will try Malinovskaya for a third time this April, Delaware Attorney General spokeswoman Janice Fitzsimons said.

In a city widely known for an unethical approach to politics, a Philadelphia watchdog group is doing its best to make sure the next mayor provides a change. The Committee of Seventy released a 28-point ethics agenda last week, asking each of the six potential Democratic candidates to sign off on the document.

Wharton alumnus John Patience has donated $1 million to the Wharton School, Wharton officials announced yesterday. The money will be used to establish the John Patience Endowed Fellowship Fund. The Fund - which will exist in perpetuity - will be given to one MBA student every year and will provide financial aid for that student.

Authorities arrested Penn Economics professor Rafael Robb yesterday afternoon in connection to the murder of his wife. He has been arraigned and is currently being held in jail without bail.

After months of deliberation, SAS administrators remain locked in negotiations over replacing the current Webmail system, which has repeatedly broken down over the past year. SAS Vice Dean for Finance and Administration Ramin Sedehi said the school is still negotiating with both Microsoft and Google in an effort to ensure that the privacy and security of students is protected.

University City was subject to several violent crimes over winter break, with one murder and four major robberies. All of the crimes involved victims unaffiliated with the University. On Dec. 24, Robert Rose, 21, was killed by multiple gunshot wounds to the back and legs on the 3900 block of Market Street, Division of Public Safety officials said.

The University's Project on Civic Engagement kicked off its major initiative, Great Expectation: Citizen Voices on Philadelphia's Future, at St. John's University last night. The forum is part of a series that will take place at community centers, hospitals and college campuses in different neighborhoods across the region.

A recent donation could help give citizenship a boost at Penn. A $2.5 million endowment from the Mellon Foundation will be donated to Penn for a new interdisciplinary program on Democracy, Citizenship and Constitutionality, University officials announced at the end of last semester.

Law students across the country are turning heads for an allegedly widespread dependency on alcohol and drugs. According to the Association of American Law Schools, high-stress, cutthroat competition and heavy workloads are leading law students to engage in heavy alcohol and drug use, participate in Internet gambling and suffer from clinical depression.