Stories
How Simple Bubbles May Hold Clues to Life’s Beginnings
One of humanity’s most enduring questions is also one of its biggest: how did life begin? Long before DNA, genes, or cells as we know them existed, how did life emerge from non-living chemical systems? One possible explanation lies in simple chemistry, which has the capacity to evolve and become more complex. In a new study at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery (WID), Tymofii Sokolskyi, a PhD candidate in Astrobiology & Evolution working in the David Baum Lab and the Department of Botany, takes a fresh look at that question.
Michael Ferris–Looking Back
Ferris has shared his expertise to benefit the public in significant ways–including working with policymakers to help distribute the first Covid vaccines fairly and efficiently in the state of Wisconsin. He consults with industries and companies such as Exact Sciences, energy modeling, agriculture, trucking, and manufacturing, and will continue to do so after retirement, when he will remain a WID emeritus.
Local Funnyman Discovers Formula for More Effective Communication
Rush’s approachable, low-pressure improv activities allow participants to practice speaking spontaneously, responding to mistakes, and adapting their message. He is leading workshops through the Illuminating Discovery Hub this summer.
Wisconsin Science Festival Explores What Makes Us Human
The Wisconsin Science Festival has officially kicked off its 2026 season with the unveiling of this year’s theme, Us. Turning the focus inward, this year’s feature explores the science of who we are, what it means to be human, and what we are capable of. Event host registration is now open, and the festival will take place October 15–25, 2025.
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24 Hours with WID
The Wisconsin Institute for Discovery is abuzz 24 hours per day. From “eureka” moments in the middle of the night to methodical pipetting in the middle of the day, to gathering diverse ideas from across the globe in the early evening, something is always happening in our interdisciplinary sphere. Enjoy a sampling of the important work we do in each of these 24 hours and please come back periodically as we refresh with new profiles.
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