Wisconsin Institute for Discovery

SoundWaves: Developing Ideas, Part 3
2025-02-21 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Discovery Building, 330 North Orchard Street, De Luca Forum, Madison, WI, 53715, United States
Explore how trends, plans, viewpoints, projects, materials, and sounds develop. Where we are and where we might be headed in the future.

What can archeology tell us about the development of our forebears? How can we develop better conditions for dairy animals? How do babies develop language? How do computer scientists develop operating systems? What is musical development, and how did Franz Schubert master it in the beautiful string quartet Death and the Maiden? Find out at SoundWaves’ third event in our Development series, with special guests the Pro Arte Quartet.
Speakers:Sarah Clayton, anthropology
Jennifer van Os, dairy science
Mike Swift, comp sci
Jenny Saffran, psych
Moderator: Daniel Grabois

We value inclusion and access for all participants. If you would like to request reasonable accommodations to enhance your participation experience, please email https://mailto: idhub@wid.wisc.edu no later than 2 weeks prior to the event. This event is wheelchair accessible.

SoundWaves combines scientific lectures about the world with live classical music performances. Each event revolves around a theme, exploring it first from many scientific angles and then through the lens of music. The program concludes with a live performance of music related to the evening’s theme.
This event will take place in the DeLuca Forum in the Discovery Building. This is a free event, however registration is requested to ensure adequate seating.

WID Seminar Series
2025-02-25 13:00 - 14:15 | 3rd Floor Orchard View Room, Discovery Building (Also offered online)
Accelerating High-Dimensional Insights: A Block-Diagonal Approach to Sparse PCA. Discovering simplicity in complex systems at the intersection of digital and natural worlds. Join us to catch the latest from the Del Pia Lab with Dekun Zhou presenting on "Accelerating High-Dimensional Insights: A Block-Diagonal Approach to Sparse PCA."
Special introduction by Xiaoya Zhang, Sridharan Lab.
Online option available. Light refreshments served.
CONTACT: 316-4534, lredeagle@wisc.edu
URL: https://wid.wisc.edu/event/wid-faculty-seminar-6/
ONLINE: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/96326864622

CHTC Researcher Forum
2025-02-26 14:30 - 16:30 | Orchard View Room, Discovery Building
The Center for High Throughput Computing (CHTC) is holding an inaugural Researcher Forum on Wednesday, February 26.
We invite CHTC users and the UW-Madison research computing community to join us!
* Learn about recent changes at CHTC and what's new and upcoming
* Connect with CHTC users and learn from each other at a mini poster session
* Engage with CHTC staff – ask questions, provide suggestions, and more!
* Meet a computer server
CONTACT: chtc@cs.wisc.edu
URL: https://chtc.cs.wisc.edu/events/2025/02/researcher-forum

Research Object Storage (S3): An overview for researchers and support staff (online)
2025-02-27 10:00 - 11:00 | (Online)
Research generates data of all sizes, from a few megabytes to hundreds of terabytes. And let’s face it, storing all that data can be costly. In this virtual session, we’ll introduce Research Object Storage (S3), a new campus-hosted data storage service offering 50TB of no cost storage to eligible researchers. Discover how this service can significantly reduce storage costs and enable new ways to use and distribute your data.
Recommended for researchers, IT, and other support staff.
CONTACT: researchdrive@wisc.edu
URL: https://it.wisc.edu/research-ci/research-object-storage-s3-an-overview-for-researchers-and-support-staff-virtual-presentation/
ONLINE: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/95225402864?pwd=[REDACTED]

Research Cyberinfrastructure (RCI) Community of Practice meeting (FREE and Online)
2025-02-27 13:00 - 14:00 | (Online)
Learn about tools and services to support campus research.. Researchers and IT/support staff are invited to participate in this monthly community of practice, which features presentations and support related to campus research tools/services.
This month: From the Notebook to the Cluster –
This presentation details a workflow that takes R markdown/quarto document, strips its R code, encapsulates the code and its dependencies into container, and programmatically creates the necessary files to r
RCI staff available for consultations during this session!
CONTACT: rci@g-groups.wisc.edu
URL: https://go.wisc.edu/rci
ONLINE: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/98069906780?pwd=[REDACTED]

Data Story Slam!
2025-02-27 16:30 - 18:30 | DeLuca Forum, Discovery Building, 330 N. Orchard Street, Madison, United States
Join in the fun at the Data Story Slam! Everyone’s life is impacted by data, and everyone has a story to share! Share a story/hear a story of ordinary to extraordinary moments where life intersects with data, and connect with others at this informal social before the 2025 Data Science Research Bazaar. The Data Story Slam is open to all, and refreshments will be provided.
Please RSVP (link below) to let us know that you are coming! You can also sign up now or at the event to share a story!
CONTACT: contact@datascience.wisc.edu
URL: https://bazaar.datascience.wisc.edu/data-story-slam/

Crossroads of Ideas: Mindfulness and the Microbiome
2025-03-04 19:00 - 20:00 | Discovery Building or streaming at https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/95175400747, 330 North Orchard Street, Madison, WI, 53715, United States
Part 3 of the Microbiome Miniseries with panelists Richie Davidson and Jo Handelsman

Join Dr. Richie Davidson and Dr. Jo Handelsman as they explore the intricate connection between the microbiome and mindfulness, and the immense impact they both have on our wellbeing. This is the third part of our three-part microbiome miniseries!

Dr. Richard Davidson is the founder and director of the Center for Healthy Minds at UW-Madison. Davidson is best known for his groundbreaking work studying emotion and the brain. A friend and confidante of the Dalai Lama, he is a highly sought after expert and speaker, leading conversations on well-being on international stages such as the World Economic Forum, where he served on the Global Council on Mental Health. Time Magazine named Davidson one of “The 100 Most Influential People in the World” in 2006. He was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2017.

Dr. Jo Handelsman is the Director of the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery at UW-Madison, a Vilas Research Professor, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor. She previously served as a science advisor to President Barack Obama as the Associate Director for Science at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) where she served for three years until January 2017, and was on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin and Yale University before that. She received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring from President Obama in 2011 and was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2019.

We value inclusion and access for all participants. If you would like to request reasonable accommodations to enhance your participation experience, please email idhub@wid.wisc.edu no later than 2 weeks prior to the event. This event is wheelchair accessible.

All Crossroads of Ideas sessions are recorded and shared post-event. Due to popular request, we will also be livestreaming the Microbiome Mini-series. Please register through the provided link if you intend to join in person or via the livestream link which will be shared upon registration.

Research Object Storage (S3): A deep dive for technical support staff (FREE and online)
2025-03-06 10:00 - 12:00 | (Online)
In this virtual session, we’ll further explore Research Object Storage (S3), a new campus-hosted data storage service offering 50TB of no-cost storage to eligible researchers. This session, which will be geared toward technical support staff, will highlight access methods (such as API), practical applications, and potential issues using the service. What are common IT tasks associated with this service and how do you know if this is a service you should recommend to your researchers?
CONTACT: researchdrive@wisc.edu
URL: https://it.wisc.edu/research-ci/research-object-storage-s3-presentation-3/
ONLINE: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/94791669123?pwd=[REDACTED]

CHTC Information Session
2025-03-11 10:30 - 11:15 | 1170 Discovery Building (Also offered online)
Learn about CHTC's computing and data services for UW-Madison affiliates at this information session!. CHTC staff will present an overview of CHTC services and how these services can help researchers accomplish their research and computational goals. CHTC staff will also help attendees identify the next steps for getting started – whether that is getting an account, how to log in, or how to start running work. If you are attending in person, after the presentation, there will be time for Q+A and hands-on help from the CHTC Facilitation Team. Register to receive a virtual link.
CONTACT: chtc@cs.wisc.edu
URL: https://chtc.cs.wisc.edu/events/2025/03/information-session
ONLINE: https://chtc.cs.wisc.edu/events/2025/03/information-session

WID Seminar Series: Signaling in a Model Microbial Community
2025-03-18 13:00 - 14:15 | 3rd Floor Orchard View Room, Discovery Building (Also offered online)
Discovering simplicity in complex systems at the intersection of digital and natural worlds. Join the Jo Handelsman lab as Shurthi Magesh, Austin Hall and Natalia Rosario-Melendez dig into their latest research on the inner workings of microbial communities. Special introduction by Jon Eckhardt, Pyle Bascom Professor in Business Leadership.
Open to public. Light refreshments served. Virtual option included.
CONTACT: 316-4325, lredeagle@wisc.edu
ONLINE: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/96326864622

Research Bazaar
2025-03-19 09:00 - 16:30, 2025-03-20 09:00 - 16:30 | Discovery Building, 330 North Orchard Street, De Luca Forum, Madison, WI, 53715, United States
Data Science Research Bazaar: AI and ML in Research: Navigating Opportunities and Boundaries. Save the date for the the 6th annual Data Science Research Bazaar, March 19-20, 2025 at the Discovery Building. This year’s theme is AI and ML in Research: Navigating Opportunities and Boundaries.
CONTACT: facilitator@datascience.wisc.edu
URL: https://bazaar.datascience.wisc.edu/

Intermediate Research Software Development with Python
2025-03-24 09:00 - 12:30 | Orchard View Room, Discovery Building
CONTACT: facilitator@datascience.wisc.edu
URL: https://uw-madison-datascience.github.io/2025-03-24-uwmadison-intermedpython/

Intermediate Research Software Development with Python
2025-03-24 09:00 - 2025-03-27 13:00 | Discovery Building, 330 North Orchard Street, De Luca Forum, Madison, WI, 53715, United States
https://uw-madison-datascience.github.io/2025-03-24-uwmadison-intermedpython/

Intermediate Research Software Development with Python aims to teach a core set of established, intermediate-level software development skills and best practices for working as part of a team in a research environment using Python as an example programming language (see detailed learning objectives). The core set of skills we teach is not a comprehensive set of all-encompassing skills, but a selective set of tried-and-tested collaborative development skills that forms a firm foundation for continuing on your learning journey.

Health Sciences Data Carpentry
2025-03-24 13:00 - 17:00 | Health Sciences Learning Center, Room 1248, 750 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53792, United States
https://uw-madison-datascience.github.io/2025-03-24-uwmadison-dc/

Data Carpentry develops and teaches workshops on the fundamental data skills needed to conduct research. Its target audience is researchers who have little to no prior computational experience, and its lessons are domain specific, building on learners’ existing knowledge to enable them to quickly apply skills learned to their own research. Participants will be encouraged to help one another and to apply what they have learned to their own research problems.

Health Sciences Data Carpentry
2025-03-24 13:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-25 13:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-26 13:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-27 13:00 - 17:00 | 1248 Health Sciences Learning Center
Fundamental Data Skills Workshop. Data Carpentry develops and teaches workshops on the fundamental data skills needed to conduct research. Its target audience is researchers who have little to no prior computational experience, and its lessons are domain specific, building on learners' existing knowledge to enable them to quickly apply skills learned to their own research. Participants will be encouraged to help one another and to apply what they have learned to their own research problems.
CONTACT: facilitator@datascience.wisc.edu
URL: https://uw-madison-datascience.github.io/2025-03-24-uwmadison-dc/

Intermediate Research Software Development with Python
2025-03-25 09:00 - 12:30, 2025-03-26 09:00 - 12:30, 2025-03-27 09:00 - 12:30 | Orchard View Room, Discovery Building
CONTACT: facilitator@datascience.wisc.edu
URL: https://uw-madison-datascience.github.io/2025-03-24-uwmadison-intermedpython/it

Harnessing the Power of Foundation Models for Healthcare and Life Sciences
2025-04-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Orchard View Room, Discovery Building (Also offered online)
ML+X: Machine Learning Beyond Traditional CS Fields.
CONTACT: endemann@wisc.edu
URL: https://forms.gle/jBP4jSm8Y45vsVVF6
ONLINE: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/92639425571?pwd=[REDACTED]

Getting Started with High Throughput Computing
2025-04-08 10:30 - 12:00 | Orchard View Room, Discovery Building (Also offered online)
New to high throughput computing or need a refresher?. Join our “Getting Started with High Throughput Computing” workshop, where we’ll introduce CHTC’s High Throughput Computing system, components of a job, and how to handle data. In this workshop, users will practice how to transfer data, submit jobs, and debug simple job errors. A basic understanding of the command line is recommended.
CONTACT: chtc@cs.wisc.edu
URL: https://chtc.cs.wisc.edu/events/2025/04/getting-started-htc
ONLINE: https://chtc.cs.wisc.edu/events/2025/04/getting-started-htc

SoundWaves: Developing Ideas, Part 4
2025-04-11 19:30 - 21:00 | Hamel Music Center, 740 University Avenue, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
Explore how trends, plans, viewpoints, projects, materials, and sounds develop. Where we are and where we might be headed in the future.

In the final chapter of the Development series, SoundWaves asks: Why are eggs so expensive? How do you create a video game? How do plants respond to climate change? How do you tell a short story in music?
Andrew Stevens Economics of Agriculture
Gary Dahl, Computer Sciences
Jack Williams, Geography
Christopher Taylor, piano, Music
Daniel Grabois, Music

SoundWaves combines scientific lectures about the world with live classical music performances. Each event revolves around a theme, exploring it first from many scientific angles and then through the lens of music. The program concludes with a live performance of music related to the evening’s theme.

This event will take place in Mead Witter Hall inside the Hamel Music Center. This is a free event, however registration is requested.

We value inclusion and access for all participants. If you would like to request reasonable accommodations to enhance your participation experience, please email https://mailto: idhub@wid.wisc.edu no later than 2 weeks prior to the event. This event is wheelchair accessible.

Full event program:

The prelude:
From Eight Etudes-Tableaux, op. 39 – Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)
8. Allegro moderato (D minor)
9. Allegro moderato (D major)
Christopher Taylor, piano, Mead Witter School of Music

The lectures:
How Plants Adapt to Climate Change: Lessons from the Last Ice Age
Jack Williams, Geography, Center for Climactic Research
Eggcessive prices: How Markets Develop Prices for the Food We Eat
Andrew Stevens, Agricultural and Applied Economics
Game Experience Development
Gary Dahl, Computer Sciences
Short Stories in Sound
Daniel Grabois, Mead Witter School of Music

The performance:
Sonata no. 2 (1966) – George Walker (1922-2018)
1. Theme and variations
2. Presto
3. Adagio
4. Allegretto tranquillo
Christopher Taylor, piano, Mead Witter School of Music

Crossroads of Ideas: Toxins at the Tap
2025-04-22 19:00 - 20:00 | Discovery Building, 330 North Orchard Street, De Luca Forum, Madison, WI, 53715, United States
Navigating the Future of PFAS and Our Water Supply

Join us on Earth Day 2025 for a thought-provoking fireside chat featuring experts Hilary Dugan, Manny Teodoro, and Christy Remucal. Delve into the world of PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—often referred to as “forever chemicals.” Our distinguished panel will explore the complex challenges these contaminants pose to our environment and public health, their impact on water systems, and the urgent policy changes needed to safeguard our future. This conversation will shed light on the critical decisions and innovations required to address one of today’s most pressing environmental issues.

We value inclusion and access for all participants. If you would like to request reasonable accommodations to enhance your participation experience, please email idhub@wid.wisc.edu no later than 2 weeks prior to the event. This event is wheelchair accessible.

All Crossroads of Ideas sessions are recorded and shared post-event.

This edition of Crossroads of Ideas is taking place in conjunction with UW-Madison Earth Fest, campus-wide April 21-29, 2025.

Text Analysis in Python
2025-04-28 09:00 - 12:30
https://uw-madison-datascience.github.io/2025-04-28-uwmadison-textanalysis/

Text Analysis Workshop
2025-04-28 09:00 - 12:30, 2025-04-29 09:00 - 12:30
Practical introduction to text analysis, designed for those with Python experience. Join this workshop for a practical Introduction to Text Analysis, designed for those with Python experience (how to create functions, for loops, conditional logic, use the pandas library, etc.). The workshop covers Natural Language Processing (NLP) basics, API usage, data preparation, document/word embeddings, topic modeling, Word2Vec, Transformer models using Hugging Face, and ethical considerations. Students and researchers working in the digital humanities are especially encouraged to attend!
CONTACT: facilitator@datascience.wisc.edu
URL: https://uw-madison-datascience.github.io/2025-04-28-uwmadison-textanalysis/

WID Seminar Series - Schloss Visual Reasoning Lab
2025-04-29 13:00 - 14:15 | 3rd Floor Orchard View Room, Discovery Building (Also offered online)
Perceptual Semantics for Visual and Haptic Communication. Join us for our final WID Seminar of the year with:
Kushin Mukherjee and Anna Chinni from the Schloss Visual Reasoning Lab as they present "Perceptual Semantics for Visual and Haptic Communication." Special introduction by Claudia Solís-Lemus, Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology. Light refreshments served.
CONTACT: 316-4325, lredeagle@wisc.edu
ONLINE: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/96326864622
