Jo Handelsman Elected to National Academy of Sciences

Congratulations Jo Handelsman! The National Academy of Sciences was founded in 1863 as a result of an Act of Congress that was approved by Abraham Lincoln, the NAS is charged with “providing independent, objective advice to the nation on matters related to science and technology and provide scientific advice to the government ‘whenever called upon’ by any government department.”

Wisconsin Institute for Discovery Announces 2023 Cultivating Connections Expo

The Wisconsin Institute for Discovery (WID) is excited to announce the 2023 Cultivating Connections expo, to be held on April 12, 2023, from 2:00 – 5:30 pm at the Discovery Building. The expo will feature a panel discussion on the importance of diverse mentorship in STEM, a dance performance from …

Federal Earmark Expands Student-led Search for New Antibiotics

Scientists worldwide are using authentic research experiences to engage college students in discovering new antibiotics. The Tiny Earth initiative, based at the Wisconsin Institute of Discovery, has already trained thousands of students in 30 countries. Congressionally Directed Community Project Funds will now provide $1 million to expand the program and reach even more students. This was part of the $1.7 trillion federal spending package that was signed into law by President Biden in December 2022.

Improved understanding of early spinal cord development paves the way for new treatments

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are developing the means to turn stem cells into a wide range of specific types of spinal cord neurons and cells in the hindbrain — the critical nexus between the spinal cord and the brain — paving the way for improved prevention and treatment of spinal cord disease.

New interactive mural invites exploration and engagement with science

A multilayered mural painted in bold colors now hangs in the atrium of the Discovery Building, depicting the many facets of STEM research and inspiring new generations to engage in science. Painted QR codes make the mural interactive, drawing the viewer into the stories of renowned and lesser known Wisconsin scientists whose contributions have shaped society.New interactive mural invites exploration and engagement with science

Tiny Earth to develop AJEDI-focused open-access Scientific Teaching Course for college instructors

Tiny Earth will collaborate with Codon Learning and the National Institute on Scientific Teaching (NIST) to develop, evaluate, and disseminate a Scientific Teaching Course (STC) that integrates AJEDI (antiracist, just, equitable, diverse, inclusive) principles. The Course is designed as four modules and will be available via Codon Learning’s interactive digital platform beginning summer 2023. Modules will also be incorporated into Tiny Earth Partner Instructor (TEPI) training in summer 2023 and 2024.

WID Announces WID100 Research Advancement and Student Conference Travel Grant Recipients

WID Announces WID100 Research Advancement and Student Conference Travel Grant Recipients. The Research Advancement Grant for $5,000 was awarded to the John Yin Lab for their innovative research. The WID100 Student Conference Travel Grant is funding $1000 each to four outstanding graduate students to travel to scientific meetings for the academic year 2022-23.

Achieving STEM diversity: Fix the classrooms

A perspective piece published on June 2 in Science from the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery (WID) suggests that outdated classroom teaching methods discourage members of historically excluded communities (HECs) from graduating with a degree in science. Lead author, Jo Handelsman states “Outdated classroom teaching models are discriminatory, ultimately, we need to stop trying to fix the students and instead focus on our classrooms.”