Stories
LEAP Forward Internship Gives Madison High Schoolers an Inside Look Into Tiny Earth
Headquartered at UW–Madison’s Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, Tiny Earth combines undergraduate research with antibiotic discovery. This summer, three Madison-area high school students joined the Tiny Earth team through the six-week LEAP Forward Internship Program. Gyselle, Natania, and Neshia contributed to Tiny Earth databases, supported instructor trainings, and explored diverse research pathways. Since 2019, Tiny Earth has welcomed interns to learn about antibiotic discovery, science communication, and research administration. As one student shared, “Working with Tiny Earth was especially eye opening. Learning about how antibiotics are developed and how they affect bacterial growth was scientifically enriching.”
Tiny Earth Abroad: Citizen Science in Spain and Portugal
The MicroMundo Project in Spain and Portugal is taking an innovative approach to addressing the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis through education and hands-on discovery. Adapted from Tiny Earth, the global antibiotic discovery initiative launched at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery (WID), MicroMundo has become one of the most extensive international branches of the network. What makes this program unique is its community-centered model. University students partner with local secondary schools, serving as peer mentors who guide younger students through real scientific inquiry: collecting soil samples, culturing bacteria, and testing for antibiotic activity. Along the way, participants gain confidence in research while contributing to the worldwide fight against AMR. As Jo Handelsman’s vision for Tiny Earth continues to grow across hundreds of institutions worldwide, MicroMundo stands out as a vibrant example of how science education and discovery can work hand in hand to inspire the next generation.
Student Profile: Meet Nan Jiang
This summer, graduate student Nan Jiang of the Yin Lab will complete her PhD from UW–Madison’s Biophysics program. In her time at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery she has built a strong foundation of innovation and interdisciplinary excellence for her future research. "This collaborative environment inspired me to integrate computational and experimental methods in my own work and strengthened my belief in the power of interdisciplinary science to drive discovery,” says Nan.
Tiny Earth In Action
The Tiny Earth Summer Symposium 2025, held June 11 and 12, brought together a record-breaking group of student researchers and instructors for two days of science, storytelling, and community. This year’s symposium featured 96 students and 26 instructors from 27 institutions across 11 U.S. states and 2 countries, reflecting the growing reach of the Tiny Earth network.
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