Kabir Bedi

With about 2.1 million adults infected worldwide in 2007 alone, HIV - the virus that causes AIDS - is the focus of research across the globe. Researchers at Penn have joined the many involved with efforts that may lead to a decrease in the rate of infection.

Mingling with a group of older and wiser graduate students are numerous undergraduates hoping to gain experience and knowledge. The concept of taking graduate-level classes either for submatriculation or for experience has long been a tradition for undergraduates at Penn.

The United Minorities Council elected College and Wharton junior Lisa Zhu, who is also a DP columnist, as its new chair at the Greenfield Intercultural Center yesterday evening. The DP met with Zhu after the election to talk about her plans for the council.

Girl Scouts represent more than just campfire songs and brownie uniforms. Susan Miller, history undergraduate advisor, launched her new book Growing Girls: The Natural Origins of Girls' Organizations in America at the LGBT Center yesterday evening, in which she discusses the importance of organizations such as Girl Scouts.

Deep below the surface of the earth, scientists are researching the best ways to dispose of nuclear waste left over from defense projects without harming the environment. As an inaugural speaker for its 2007-2008 lecture series, the Institute for Environmental Studies invited Laurence Brush from the Sandia National Laboratories to talk yesterday afternoon at the Lynch Auditorium in the Chemistry Building.