Stories
PhD student pushes CRISPR-edited CAR-T cells closer to the clinic
Anna Tommasi is a member of the Saha lab, which has worked closely with researchers at the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health to advance CAR-T cell therapies that are modified at the genetic level. They aim to start new trials for brain cancers next year.
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.
Announcements
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.
Follow Us
Learn more about the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery through quarterly newsletters and receive our annual report.
