Univeristy of Wisconsin Madison
Recent News About Univeristy of Wisconsin Madison
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Yeast Study Sheds Light on Evolutionary Biology Question
In a study published in the journal Science, a team of researchers led by scientists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Vanderbilt University has made significant strides in understanding the evolution of yeasts, offering insights into why some species are generalists while others are specialists.The study, based on one of the most comprehensive genomic datasets ever compiled, sheds light on a longstanding question in evolutionary biology. According to UW–Madison professor of genetics Chris Todd Hittinger and Vanderbilt professor of biology Antonis Rokas, the...
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Peace Corps Ranks UW–Madison as Top Volunteer-Producing University for 2023
The Peace Corps has announced UW–Madison as No. 1 on the agency’s list for the number of volunteers produced during fiscal year 2023. Since the founding of the Peace Corps in 1961, 2,766 Badgers have served as Peace Corps volunteers, ranking UW–Madison as #2 for all-time volunteers. UW–Madison has consistently ranked among the agency’s top ten annual volunteer-producing lists for over 25 years, holding the No. 1 and 2 spots more than 15 times."The University of Wisconsin–Madison is proud of our alumni who are serving as volunteers worldwide," said Frances Vavrus,...
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42 faculty honored with Vilas professorships and awards
The University of Wisconsin–Madison recently announced the honoring of 42 faculty members with Vilas professorships and awards. The recipients were recognized for their outstanding contributions to scholarship, teaching, and service.Among the honorees are Jean-Michel Ané from the Department of Bacteriology, Tulika Bose from the Physics Department, and Angela Byars-Winston from the School of Medicine. These professors were named to Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professorships, which provide flexible funding for five years.In addition, other faculty members such as...
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Gracie Nelson to Speak at 2024 Spring Commencement
Gracie Nelson, the student speaker for the 2024 spring commencement at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, has shared her journey and aspirations leading up to the significant event. Reflecting on her time at the university, Nelson recounted her initial challenges as a freshman during the pandemic and the meaningful connections that helped her navigate through uncertain times.Nelson expressed gratitude for her roommate, Sydney Pham, stating, “I got so lucky... We became best friends. I don’t think I would have survived freshman year without her because I felt very...
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Kyoung-Shin Choi Elected to American Academy of Arts & Sciences
Renowned electrochemist Kyoung-Shin Choi has been elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences for her groundbreaking work in developing electrodes and catalysts for sustainable energy applications. Choi, who is a member of the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Department of Chemistry, expressed her gratitude for the recognition, stating, "I received the announcement email out of the blue... I felt ecstatic and very grateful as this election was not possible without people who appreciated my science and worked hard to nominate me and promote my achievements."Choi's...
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Undergrads Showcase Research at Symposium
Undergraduates at UW–Madison are gearing up to present their research projects at the annual Undergraduate Symposium, set to take place at Union South on Thursday, April 25. The event will feature 672 students, an increase from the previous year. Among them is Amber Mans, a sophomore research fellow at the Glass Lab, who expressed her excitement about sharing her project, titled “Refractory Cements and Their Qualities in Mold Blown Glass”.Mans spoke about her passion for sharing knowledge, stating, “I just want to share as much as I can but also to create avenues to...
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Commencement Profile: A World Away, His Family and Tibetan Community Share in His Success
"Tenzin Phuntsok would call his mother in India for inspiration during tough times at the University of Wisconsin–Madison." "She loved to learn, so it was a very, very difficult time for her." - Tenzin Phuntsok"At spring commencement, Phuntsok will be earning a master’s degree in biotechnology, an achievement shared by his family and the Tibetan community in his hometown of Chauntra, India." - University of Wisconsin-Madison article"We just felt it was the right thing do. Coming here was an uphill battle for Tenzin. We believed in him and his career goals and...
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Earth Fest Kickoff: Celebrating sustainability progress
Participants in UW–Madison’s first-ever Earth Fest Kickoff Celebration on Friday, April 19, lauded the institution's sustainability and environmental efforts. Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin unveiled the RISE-EARTH initiative, which funds expanded environmental research, while business and government officials explored new opportunities arising from sustainable approaches. Students, faculty, and staff expressed their enthusiasm for the progress being made."Our goal is to unite UW–Madison communities of all kinds — external to the university, internal to the university,...
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Meet the 2024 Academic Staff Excellence Award winners
The University of Wisconsin–Madison recently announced the recipients of the 2024 Academic Staff Excellence Awards, honoring individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in leadership, public service, research, and teaching.Among the awardees is Bárbara Rodríguez-Guridi, who received the Chancellor’s Hilldale Award for Excellence in Teaching. Fernando Tejedo, professor and chair of the Department of Spanish & Portuguese, praised Rodríguez-Guridi for inspiring students and providing growth opportunities for graduate educators.Jim Reardon, the recipient of...
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Chancellor Mnookin Joins University Leaders to Advance Civic Preparedness and Free Expression on Campus
University of Wisconsin–Madison Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin has joined forces with 60 university leaders nationwide to advance civic preparedness and uphold free expression on campus. The initiative, called College Presidents for Civic Preparedness, aims to equip students with the necessary skills to engage in civil discourse and become active citizens in society.Mnookin expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “This is a pivotal moment in our country as public confidence in institutions has declined. I look forward to working with my colleagues to...
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UW–Madison and Sandia National Laboratories Forge Strategic Partnership
At a recent ceremony at Bascom Hall, the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Sandia National Laboratories celebrated the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to solidify their strategic partnership for the future of science and engineering for national security. The agreement was hailed as a significant milestone in fostering collaboration between the two institutions.Cynthia Czajkowski, UW–Madison’s Interim Vice Chancellor for Research, expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "This MOU really cements the strategic partnership between Sandia...
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University of Wisconsin–Madison Focuses on Environmental Sustainability with RISE-EARTH Initiative
"UW–Madison has long been a leader in responding to community-identified environmental challenges, and in developing solutions to problems that can be put immediately into action," stated Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin at the kick-off celebration for Earth Fest at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.The university has announced the next area of focus under the Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative: RISE-EARTH. This initiative aims to strengthen the university's ability to address complex environmental problems and opportunities, with a...
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Robertson to Step Down as College of Engineering Dean
Ian Robertson, the Grainger Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, has announced his decision to step down from his position once a successor is chosen. Robertson, who has served as the college's ninth dean since 2013, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the institution through a period of growth and impact.Reflecting on his time as dean, Robertson emphasized the importance of people-centric impact in engineering, stating, "At its core, the practice of engineering focuses on innovations that make the world a better...
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Exciting Opportunity to Showcase Science Visuals in 2024 Cool Science Image Contest
Science is a visual enterprise. Scientific imagery created with microscopes, telescopes, cameras — even paint on canvas — makes parts of the world that our eyes can’t perceive visible, understandable, and often beautiful. This sentiment is echoed by Robert Johnson, assistant professor in the Department of Integrative Biology, who captured an image of a queen conch nervously peering out from an overturned shell in a seagrass meadow in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Johnson highlights the importance of such visuals, stating that conchs play a vital role in seagrass habitats by...
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Day at the Capitol Showcases UW–Madison's Diverse Impact
The University of Wisconsin–Madison Day at the Wisconsin State Capitol on April 17 showcased the diverse impact of the university, bringing together alumni, students, faculty, and community members to engage in discussions and presentations highlighting various research projects and initiatives.Vice Chancellor for University Relations Charles Hoslet emphasized the economic benefit of the university, stating, "For every dollar the state invests in our university, we generate $26.73 for the state." Hoslet underscored the mutually beneficial partnership between UW–Madison...
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Three Honored for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Excellence
The University of Wisconsin–Madison recently recognized three individuals for their outstanding contributions to innovation and entrepreneurial excellence. Mark Bakken, James Dahlberg, and Dorri McWhorter were honored as recipients of the 2024 Chancellor’s Entrepreneurial Achievement Award.Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin praised the recipients, stating, “UW–Madison is a hub of innovation and entrepreneurial excellence, driven by our alumni, students, staff and faculty and their curiosity, passion for problem-solving, and desire to make a difference.”Mark Bakken, a...
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AAAS members make eight UW researchers new fellows
Eight University of Wisconsin–Madison scholars have been elected fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), as reported by Chris Barncard on April 18, 2024. Among the new fellows are Jean-Michel Ané, Vernon Barger, Katrina T. Forest, Simon Gilroy, James Keck, Sissel Schroeder, Brad Schwartz, and Jue “Jade” Wang.The honor of being elected as an AAAS Fellow is bestowed upon individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing science and society. According to Sudip S. Parikh, the AAAS chief executive officer, the new class of...
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Photo gallery Robbed by COVID-19, UW seniors finally get the prom they missed in high school
UW seniors finally got the prom they missed in high school due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event, organized by the UW–Madison Class of 2024 Senior Class Office, brought together over 1,000 students at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery. MK Denton, a senior class member and photo intern for University Communications, captured the essence of the long-awaited event through her lens.Reflecting on the significance of the prom, Denton shared her own experience of missing out on her high school prom in 2020 due to the pandemic. She expressed her disappointment at not being...
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Wisconsin Idea Database reveals UW–Madison’s positive impact across all 72 counties
"The Wisconsin Idea, UW–Madison’s tradition of influencing lives beyond campus, has been integral to the university’s culture and mission essentially since its founding," notes Charles Hoslet, vice chancellor for university relations. "The database project demonstrates in fine detail how consistently the university fulfills that promise to people and communities across the state of Wisconsin in ways large and small."From urban Milwaukee to rural Washburn County, the University of Wisconsin–Madison is making a significant impact on Wisconsin students, communities and...
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UW–Madison Biochemist Awarded Prestigious Forestry Prize for Sustainable Energy Discoveries
University of Wisconsin–Madison biochemistry professor John Ralph, alongside collaborator Wout Boerjan from Ghent University in Belgium, has been awarded the forestry industry's top prize for their research on lignin, a key component of plant cell walls. The Marcus Wallenberg Foundation honored Ralph and Boerjan with the 2024 Marcus Wallenberg Prize for their groundbreaking work in understanding the molecular structure of lignin.The award, often referred to as the "Nobel Prize for forestry," recognizes scientific achievements that contribute to advancements in forestry...