WID Graduate Student is December Graduation Student Speaker
From high school dropout to PhD: The unlikely journey of student commencement speaker and Saha Lab member Kirstan Gimse
Stories
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.
Decoding how bacteria talk with each other
UW–Madison researchers from Handelsman Lab have learned that a drastically scaled-down model of a microbial community makes it possible to observe some of the complex interactions.
CRISPR-produced CAR T cells could better treat solid tumors
Dr. Krishanu Saha along with Dr. Christian Capitini, is working to produce CAR T cells that could deliver results in solid tumors, using gene editing rather than a viral method to manufacture them.
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.
Karen Schloss earns promotion to Associate Professor
Dr. Schloss has earned tenure in the Department of Psychology. She studies color cognition, color preferences, visual reasoning, and information visualization.
Ashton lab spinoff safeguards developing brain, spinal cord from toxic threats
Randolph Ashton, an associate professor of biomedical engineering, is co-founder of Neurosetta, a startup company built around technology for modeling human brain and spinal cord development that emerged from his research lab.
How Zombies Can Help Prevent the Next Pandemic
Incomplete viral genomes can quell disease and, with further research, could be turned into treatments. An opinion by John Yin for Scientific American.
Madison startup developing chemical health testing platform
WID’s Randolph Ashton is developing a method for “scalable and cost-effective screening” of various chemical compounds on the brain and spinal cord. The new company is Neurosetta.
How Does Life Begin?
PhD student Lena Vincent pursues the biggest question in her research on the chemical origins of life.
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.”
New nanoparticles aid sepsis treatment in mice
In new research published today, UW–Madison WID researcher Shaoqin “Sarah” Gong, reported a new nanoparticle-based treatment for sepsis that delivers anti-inflammatory molecules and antibiotics.
But How Are You Really Feeling? Two Kohler Fellows challenge the way we communicate in exhibition
The How Are You Feeling? is an exhibit created by Kohler Fellows Hong Huo and Kushin Mukherjee that examines the limits of verbal communication through animated imagery. It will be on display at Communication Madison from May 28-June 3, with the opening reception on May 28th from 3-8PM (masks required).
Sushmita Roy earns H.I. Romnes Faculty Fellowship
The Romnes Fellowships recognize faculty with exceptional research contributions within their first six years from promotion to a tenured position.
Meet the new Writer-in-Residence: Kayla Cohen
What do mystery, mayhem, and the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery have in common? The Writer-in-Residence Program, recently welcomed Kayla Cohen as a part of the Illuminating Discovery Hub at the Wisconsin Institute of Discovery. The residency is an opportunity for an up-and-coming writer to work among scientists while crafting a manuscript with scientific themes.
Erasing the Lines Between Science and Art
Erasing the Lines Between Science and Art: Kohler Fellows Cooperate to Bring Life As We Don’t Know It Exhibition to the Overture Galleries from May 3-August 28, with the opening reception on May 6th from 5-7PM.
Learn about bacteria through UW-Madison Ph.D. students’ adult coloring book
Tiffany Harris and Aedan Gardill want people to know that science doesn’t have to be boring. The two students started working on the project in January as part of the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery’s Kohler fellowship. The program joins together graduate students in arts and science fields to create multidisciplinary projects. The two University of Wisconsin-Madison doctoral students completed their coloring book titled “Bacteria & Me” this month, hoping to pique audiences’ interest in learning about microbiology.
Life As We Don’t Know It
New exhibit from the Kohler Fellows at the Overture Center Galleries! Life As We Don’t Know It Opening Reception, Overture Center Playhouse Gallery, May 6 @ 5-7PM. Exhibit runs from May 3 – August 28, 2022.
Brennan Receives AACN Award for Work at the National Library of Medicine
The award recognizes her contributions to information systems for patients and reinforces the value of data science for the future of healthcare.
Label-free Imaging, Plus Data Science, Means Better Quality Control for Biomanufacturing Stem Cells
Krishanu Saha and Melissa Skala have devised an innovative method for reprogramming cells that leverages micropatterning, label-free imaging and machine learning to enable real-time, noninvasive monitoring of reprogramming. This method can be used to develop cutting-edge personalized therapies and disease models.
Equanimity: Meditation Through Ceramics Exhibit at the Discovery Building
The Wisconsin Institute for Discovery (WID) is hosting a ceramics exhibition, Equanimity: Meditation Through Ceramics from April 30 – May 19, 2022 with local artist Violet Wong.
Seeking Applications for Art and Science Collaborations
Applications for graduate art or science students are now open for the Marie Christine Kohler Fellows @ WID program.
Stephen Wright honored by a Hilldale Award
The award recognizes contributions to teaching, research, and service.