University appoints Ensmenger replacement

Following his tenure denial this month, Nathan Ensmenger will be leaving his position as undergraduate chairman of the Science, Technology and Society program and the University in June.

Jonathan Moreno, a professor of History and Sociology of Science, was appointed to replace Ensmenger on Wednesday.

As a Penn Integrates Knowledge professor, Moreno holds double appointments at the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Medicine.

PIK is part of Penn President Amy Gutmann’s commitment to advancing and promoting interdisciplinary work. PIK professors are selected for their exemplary teaching and research which integrate knowledge across disciplines.

Moreno is a professor of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, History and Sociology of Science and Philosophy and currently teaches bioethics at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

Taking on an administrative role as the undergraduate chairman is viewed as service to the University and does not come with financial compensation, said Susan Lindee, chairwoman of the History and Sociology of Science Department.

“[Moreno’s] willingness to take on the job under relatively crisis conditions is really appreciated,” Lindee said. “[He] will do a fabulous job — I’m completely confident,”

In his new position, Moreno will help guide the major and advise students with Ann Greene, the associate director of undergraduate studies in the History and Sociology of Science Department, who has advised STSC students and administered the program since its founding in 2006.

In his introductory email to STSC majors, Moreno characterized himself as a good fit for the program due to his interdisciplinary background and teaching experience.

College senior and outgoing Undergraduate Assembly President Matt Amalfitano, a Health and Societies major, is currently enrolled in Moreno’s undergraduate bioethics class.

“Knowing Dr. Moreno, he is the definition of interdisciplinary knowledge,” Amalfitano said, “He’s trained as a philosophy scholar, and he applies those tenets to bioethics … He’s able to bridge gaps that not a lot of professors can.”

Amalfitano explained this is especially important since HSOC and STSC are both interdisciplinary majors that fall under the History and Sociology of Science Department.

However, students enrolled in STSC courses — including about 45 STSC majors — have never interacted with Moreno. They expressed mixed reactions about his appointment.

“I have never met Dr. Moreno,” College senior Sarah Owen said. “From what I have heard, it seems as though he will be able to cut into the major from a completely different angle, which is neither a good nor bad thing, just different.”

“Dr. Moreno has some pretty big shoes to fill,” College junior Mike Baber said. “I’ve never met him, but judging from the email he sent out to all the STSC majors, it sounds like he is excited to head the department and make an immediate impact.”

“It is a voluntary job,” Moreno said. “But I’m happy to do it because I love my students.”

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