WISELI News
2009
Theis brings locally grown produce to campus
Monica Theis, an instructor in the Department of Food Science, has started an initiative to integrate food grown on campus into food produced by on-campus dining services. The food - including greens, radishes, and onions - is grown in a plot at Allen Centennial Gardens and served at Frank's Place, in Holt Commons, and the Babcock Dairy Store. Theis hopes that her collaboration with dining services will help foster innovation in bringing local foods to high-volume food production operations. Read more about this story here.
Interdisciplinary workshop addresses safety and food imports
Vicki Bier, a professor of industrial and systems engineering, and Lorna Zach, a scientist with the Center for Human Performance and Risk Analysis, took part in organizing a multi-disciplinary workshop on import food safety. The workshop, "Food Import Saftey: Systems, Infrastructure and Governance," brought together faculty from across campus as well as leaders from industry and the European Union.
Carayon named fellow of the International Ergonomics Association
Pascale Carayon, professor of industrial and systems engineering, was named an International Ergonomics Association fellow. The fellowship recognizes Prof. Carayon's significant contributions to the field of ergonomics.
New state budget includes domestic partner benefits for UW-Madison
Under the 2010 State of Wisconsin budget, UW-Madison will be able to begin offering domestic partner benefits for the first time. The new law will take effect in January 2010. Read more about the story here.
Brennan chosen to join new Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery
Patricia Brennan, professor of nursing and industrial and systems engineering, was selected as one of five faculty members who will take a leading role in the new Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery (WID). Brennan's work at WID will focus on bringing technology to health care more quickly. Read the press release.
Research on carbohydrate chain formation sheds light on TB
Laura Kiessling, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, together with her students, has uncovered how a crucial enzyme helps the tuberculosis bacteria build carbohydrate chains. This process had previously not been described in the literature. Kiessling's team's findings should help shed light on the general process of carbohydrate chain formation, a basic but not well understood biological process. Additionally, their work suggests a novel means for attacking the TB bacteria. Read the full story here.
McFall-Ngai wins Guggenheim Fellowship
Margaret McFall-Ngai, a professor of medical microbiology and immunology, was awarded one of 180 Guggenheim Fellowships for 2009. The award will support McFall-Ngai's research into the symbiotic relationship between vertebrates and microbes, which may help to provide a more accurate picture of how animals' immune systems function. For more information, read the press release.
Graduate student identifies differences in pesky mollusks
Suzanne Peyer, a graduate student in zoology at UW-Madison, examined physiological differences between two related, invasive mussel species: the zebra and the quagga. Peyer found that differences in the way the two mussels attach themselves to surfaces may explain why the zebra and quagga mussels are often found in different places. Understanding these differences should enable waterway managers to more effectively combat the invasive mussels. Read more here.
Researchers find that culture, not biology, underpins gender differences in math ability
Janet Hyde and Janet Mertz, professors of psychology and oncology respectively, have published new findings that suggest that differences in male and female performance in mathematics is the result of culture not biology. Looking across countries of the world, they found that gendered differences in math ability varies across cultures. Furthermore, they found that in some cultures there is parity in girls' and boys' math skills. Mertz and Hyde's research was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Read the press release and the abstract of the published article.
Knoll awarded Hartwell Individual Biomedical Research Award
Laura Knoll, associate professor of medical microbiology and immunology, was chosen as one of twelve scholars to receive 2008 Hartwell Individual Biomedical Research Awards, which provide $100,000 in research funding over three years. Knoll plans to use the funds to investigate the relationship between obesity and inflammation. Read more here.
Deer ticks and lyme disease widespread across state
Research led by Susan Paskewitz, a professor of entomology who specializes in ticks, identified deer ticks in most areas of the state of Wisconsin. Fifteen years ago the deer tick population was limited to more western parts of the state. Today however the deer tick population has encroached on most of Wisconsin's most populated areas, placing more citizens at risk of contracting Lyme disease. Paskewitz's research is helping to inform public health efforts. Read the full story.
Strier elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Karen Strier, Hilldale Professor of Anthropology, was one of four UW-Madison faculty elected as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for 2009. Read more here.
Susan Coppersmith elected to the National Academy of Sciences
Susan Coppersmith, professor and former Chair of the Department of Physics at UW-Madison, was among the 72 scientists and engineers elected into the National Academy of Sciences on April 28th. This prestigious honor reflects Prof. Coppersmith's many scientific accomplishments. Read the full story here.
Study finds sleep helps to 'clean' synapses
A study published in the journal Science, which was authored by Associate Professor of Psychology Chiara Cirelli and colleagues, finds that sleep plays an important role in brain function by allowing the neurological system to 'clean' the extra proteins that build-up in synapses during waking hours. This study confirms other findings by the team. Read the press release.
Team receives funding from EPA for water-saving project
A team of civil and environmental engineering students, including Stephanie Bianco and Anna Bradford, was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for their project, "Groundwater Depletion: The Buried Problem." The students designed a system for collecting rainwater to use for watering the grounds of the planned Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research, part of the School for Medicine and Public Health. The team was awarded the grant under the EPA's People, Prosperity and the Planet Student Design Competition for Sustainability, held annually. Read more here.
Graduate student leads study on malaria patterns
Sarah Olson, together with Prof. Jonathan Patz and others, has found that the pattern of malaria infection following rainfall varies based upon landscape features. The study, published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, shows that malarial infections in wet areas of the Amazon decrease following rainfall while they increase following rainfall in drier areas. Read the full story.
Ney identifies natural protein safe for phenylketonurics
A team led by Professor of Nutritional Sciences Denise Ney has identified a natural protein which can be safely digested by people with phenylketonuria (PKU), an enzyme deficiency. Prior to this discovery, there were no known natural proteins that were considered safe for those with PKU. The finding is being used to develop special food products for phenylketonurics. View the press release here.
Research finds hurricanes have limited long-term impact on global warming
Galen McKinley, an assistant professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, and colleagues studied the long-term impact of hurricanes on the ocean's ability to capture carbon dioxide and found that the effect was much less significant than previously thought. The team's research was published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. Read the journal article and the press release.
Zoologist finds that all runs are not created equal
Research conducted by Karen Steudel, Professor of Zoology, and colleague has found that the optimal pace for a mammalian runner varies across individuals. This finding is in contrast to previous thinking, which held that running a given distance at any speed required the same amount of energy. Read more here.
Ogle receives funding from National Hearth, Lung and Blood Institute
Brenda Ogle, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, was awarded more than $400,000 to support her research that aims to use tissue regeneration techniques to treat heart attacks. The grant was awarded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institutes, part of the National Institutes of Health.
Funding renewed for Project HealthDesign
Funding for Project HealthDesign, led by Prof. Patti Brennan, received more than $5 million in continued funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Project, which aims to improve the design and functioning of the medical health record system, founded in 2006 will continue its work through 2012. Read the press release.
Biologist collaborates to identify the chemistry of genetically altered fungi
Nancy Keller, a professor who studies the genetics of fungi, is collaborating with researchers at the Small-Molecule Screening Facility to help understand the chemical properties of specially altered fungi. Read the full story here.
Assistant professor studies genetic variation in yeast
Audrey Gasch, assistant professor of genetics, is studying genetic variation in wild yeast collected around the world. Her research has helped to identify strains of yeast with desirable properties. Gasch forsees that her research could be utilized in various industrial contexts, including biofuel production. Read the interview with Prof. Gasch.
Szlufarska team uncovers properties of nanoscale friction
A team lead by Izabela Szlufarska, assistant professor of materials science and engineering, has shed new light on how friction acts on a nanoscale. As compared to the smooth interaction previously envisioned by scientists, the Szlufarska team used computer simulations to show that at the nanoscale atoms generate much friction because of their uneven surface. The findings were published in the journal Nature. Read the Nature article and the press release.
Geochemist wins Romnes Faculty Fellowship
Nita Sahai, an associate professor in the Department of Geology and Geophysics, was awarded one of nine Romnes Faculty Fellowships. The fellowship provides $50,000 in research funds for early-career, tenured faculty. Read more here.
Palmenberg elected fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology
Ann Palmenberg, professor in the Department of Biochemistry and chair of the Institute for Molecular Virology, was elected as a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology. View the press release.
Assistant professor wins Sloan Fellowship
Suchi Chawla, an assistant professor in the Department of Comupter Sciece, was awarded an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship. The two-year, $50,000 award will support Prof. Chawla's research into algorithms. Read the press release.
Academic staff member prepares veterinary students for real-life encounters
Patricia Sharp, a senior instructor with the School of Veterinary medicine, utilizes hands-on techniques to help prepare veterinary students for the types of pathobiological issues they will encounter in the field. Continually updating her instructional materials, Sharpe is able to keep her courses relevant. Read the full story here.
Team led by UW professor unravels the structure of the common cold
Ann Palmenberg, professor of biochemistry, has together with colleagues mapped the genetic code for each of the 99 known strains of the common cold. The research, published in the February 13 issue of Science, provides a comprehensive baseline for future work on the virus. Read the press release here.
Research finds evidence of an 'Obama effect'
Work conducted by Patricia Devine, professor of psychology, and her colleague, E. Ashby Plant, found a reduction in implicit racial bias during Barak Obama's presidential campaign. Their work further suggested that people had also developed a stronger association between the concepts of 'blackness' and government during the campaign. Read more about this story here.
Adams nominated fellow of American Society of Civil Engineers
Teresa Adams, professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, was nominated as a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers. This honor recognizes Adams' research in the field of infrastructure asset management.
New faculty member investigates E. coli
Dorte Dopfer, an assistant professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, is taking a novel, interdisciplinary approach to studying E. coli. Together with colleagues, Dopfer will combine mathematical modeling with applied microbiology and epidemiology. The team's aim is to better understand the factors contributing E. coli outbreaks. Read the full story here.
Emeritus professor named acting deputy director of the NSF
Cora Marrett, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, was named as the acting deputy director for the National Science Foundation (NSF). Marrett, who has also served as the UW System's senior vice president, took up her new post on January 18. Read the press release here.
2008
Assistant professor's paper named most influential
A paper authored by Pam Kreeger, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, and colleagues was identified as one of the most influential pieces of reproductive research published between 2004 and 2008. Campus users can read the full Nature Medicine article here.
Hagness named fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Susan Hagness, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, was named a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). The highest membership status in the IEEE, the fellowship acknowledges Hagness' research in computational and applied electromagnetics.
Teaching Fellows Program featured in Science
A program funded through a grant from the Howard Huges Medical Institute, UW-Madison's Teaching Fellows Program helps to train graduate students and postdocs to incorporate more effective teaching strategies into biology education. The program, led by Jo Handlesman, was featured in the November 28 issue of Science magazine.
Innovative engineering course receives national attention
A new, integrative engineering course aimed at pre-engineering and undecided majors was featured in the November 2008 issue of the Society of Women Engineers Magazine. The course, "Introduction to Society's Engineering Grand Challenges," was designed by Susan Hagness and highlights the interface between humanity and engineering. Read the SWE article on page 34.
Paskewitz team tracks deer ticks to help understand spread of Lyme disease
Susan Paskewitz, professor of Entomology, led a team that collected ticks from deer carcasses brought in by hunters through out the state. The survey aims to provide a clearer picture of the spread of deer ticks in Wisconsin, which in turn will help to inform public health education efforts. Read the press release here.
Professor of Psychology changes thinking about prejudice
Patricia Devine, Professor of Psychology, has conducted groundbreaking research on prejudice since the 1980's. Her work has helped to clarify how biases and prejudices operate and has also suggested new approaches for educating people about prejudice. More information about Prof. Devine's work can be found here.
Knezevic wins Air Force Young Investigator award
Assistant professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Irena Knezevic, was awarded a 2009 Air Force Young Investigator Research Program grant to study the thermoelectric properties of nanowires and nanoribbons.
Professor unlocks secrets of biomineralization
Pupa Gilbert, professor of physics at UW-Madison, together with colleagues have recently identified a key transition in the biominerailzation process, in which living organisms transform minerals into a unique structure. Studying sea urchins, the team found that the process of crystallization occurs in a random fashion. Gilbert and colleagues hope that their findings will aid in the development of biomineralization technologies. Read the full story here.
Graduate student takes second prize in the 2008 Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge
Jenna Eun, a biochemistry graduate student, won second place in the National Science Foundation and Science magazine sponsored contest for her photo "Polymazing." The bending and twisting captured in the photo is a common phenomenon, one which also causes fingertips to wrinkle when wet.
Soil science professor named director of Institute for Cross-College Biology Education
Teri Balser, associate professor of Soil Science at UW-Madison, took over as director of the Institute for Cross-College Biology Education (ICBE) in fall 2008. The institute aims to improve life-sciences education across campus. Read the full press release here.
Geologist changes thinking on the formation of the solar system
Noriko Kita, a senior scientist in the Department of Geology and Geophysics, and collaborators studying comet dust collected by NASA's 2004 Stardust mission have come to surprising conclusions. Contrary to expectations, the dust was found to contain isotopes of oxygen indicating that the dust was composed of materials from both the inner and outer reaches of the solar system. This finding suggests that previous theories on the formation of the universe may be incomplete. Read the full story here.
Veterinary researcher finds success in trials of new pet pain-killer
Lesley Smith, clinical professor in the UW School of Veterinary Medicine, has found early success in her clinical trials of a new, injectible pain reliever for dogs. If these preliminary results hold up, the new drug may help avoid long vet hospital stays for animals following surgery. Read the full story here.
Infant's sent lowers testosterone in male marmosets
Toni Ziegler, Senior Scientist at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center and colleagues have identified a previously unknown physiological response to offspring in male marmoset monkeys. Ziegler and colleagues found that experienced marmoset fathers exhibited a decrease in testosterone levels when exposed to the scent of their own infant. Read the full story here.
Prof. Susan Paskewitz monitors mosquitoes to protect public health
Susan Paskewitz, professor of Entomology at UW-Madison, along with her graduate student, has been working to monitor the presence of West Nile Virus carrying mosquitoes in the state. Read the full story here.
Engelstad lab receives major donation of technology
SEMATECH, a consortium of semiconductor manufacturers, donated highly specialized equipment to Prof. Roxann Engelstad's lab. The machine, a Zygo frequency-shifting interferometer, will help the lab research the micro-scale lithographic substrates used in manufacturing computer chips.
Biomedical Engineering professor awarded a Fulbright scholarship
Prof. Naomi Chesler was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to conduct research on pulmonary hypertension at the University of Ghent, in Belgium. Chesler will conduct her work between February and June 2009.
Monica Turner recognized for contributions to ecology
Monica Turner, Eugene P. Odum Professor of Ecology, was awarded the 2008 Robert H. MacArthur award. The prize, awarded by the Ecological Society of America, honors mid-career scholars for their contributions to the field of ecology. Prof. Turner's work at Yellowstone National Park, begun in 1988, helped to establish the field of landscape ecology. Read more about Turner's research here.
Prof. Leslie Smith inducted as American Physical Society fellow
Leslie Smith, professor and former chair of the Department of Mathematics at UW-Madison, was inducted as one of 226 American Physical Society fellows for 2008.
Researchers question the expansion of bio fuels in the tropics
Holly Gibbs, a graduate student with the Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment, led a study examining the effects of replacing tropical forests with bio fuel crops. Together with her co-authors, she finds that such behavior may actually exacerbate the global warming bio fuels are meant to alleviate. Read the full story here.
Program seeks to expose diverse high school students to medicine
The Research Apprenticeship Program, directed by Gloria Hawkins, assistant dean for multicultural affairs, offers high school students from under-represented groups the opportunity to immerse themselves in academic medicine for seven weeks each summer. Read more about the program here.
Research examines the interplay between microbes and host
In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a team led by Prof. Margaret McFall-Ngai examines the relationship between animals and microbes. Their findings suggest that microbes can affect gene expression in animals and also highlights the importance of the interaction between microbe and host. Read more about this story here.
Engineering professor's op-ed piece calls for female engineers on TV
Wendy Crone, Associate Professor of Engineering Physics, recently published an op-ed piece that was featured on the Discovery Channel's web site. Prof. Crone suggests that a multidimensional, lead woman engineer in popular television would do much to help attract girls to engineering. Read the full op-ed here.
Biomedical engineering professor wins Denise Denton Emerging Leader Award
Naomi Chesler, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, was named the Denise Denton Emerging Leader for 2008. The award, which aims to recognize young scholars who exhibit excellence in both research and efforts to promote diversity, is given by the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology. Read the full story here.
New research examines girls in mathematics
Janet Mertz, Professor of Oncology at UW-Madison, along with colleagues, studied the demographic compositions of various programs for profoundly gifted math students. In particular, the study looks to international math competitions to examine how boys and girls fare across cultures. Prof. Mertz and colleagues conclude that cultural factors tend to push U.S. citizens away from math and that this effect is more pronounced for girls as compared to boys. The study provides more evidence to suggest that nurture, not nature, accounts for women's under-representation in math and science. Read the full study, published in the Notices of the American Mathematical Society. See also the UW-Madison press release and a related LA Times article.
Szlufarska wins NSF CAREER award
Izabela Szlufarska, assistant professor of Materials Science and Engineering, was among several UW-Madison faculty to win 2008 Faculty Early Career Development Awards (CAREER) from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Prof. Szlufarska will use the award to work on researching new biosensor technologies. She also plans to develop an outreach program to help bridge the gap between public perceptions of bioscience and the research being done at the UW. Read the press release here.
Post doc receives two-year fellowship to study asthma
Lisa Lenertz, a post-doctoral researcher in the Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, won a two-year fellowship from the Hartwell Foundation. The award will allow Lenertz to continue her research on the connection between the P2X7 protein and childhood asthma. Read the whole story here.
WISELI affiliate releases book on women's participation in meetings
A new book, "Women Speaking Up: Getting and Using Turns in Workplace Meetings," authored by Prof. Ceci Ford, a WISELI affiliate, was recently published. The book, which draws upon observational studies of women in academic science, engineering, and medicine, highlights differences in how men and women communicate in meetings. Prof. Ford's findings suggest several strategies that women use to successfully participate in meetings. Read the full story here.
Prof. Janet Hyde debunks myth of gender differences in math ability
A new study led by UW-Madison psychology professor Janet Hyde finds no significant gender differences in math performance among American children in grades 2 through 11, providing new evidence against the notion that males have an advantage in mathematics. The research compared boys' and girls' performance – both on average and in the highest ranks – and found only negligible differences. The study, published in the journal Science on July 25th, has garnered extensive media attention. Time magazine and the New York Times among others have run recent stories covering the study. Read the full press release here.
College of Engineering recognizes two women academic staff
Kelly Burton, coordinator for the Graduate Engineering Research Scholars program, and Traci Nathans-Kelly, faculty associate in Engineering Professional Development, were both recognized for their outstanding contributions at the College of Engineering's annual Appreciation Day held May 8, 2008. Burton received the Bollinger Academic Staff Distinguished Achievement Award and Nathan-Kelly received a Polygon Teaching Award. Read more here.
Post-doc leads research on synaptic growth
Kate O'Connor-Giles, a postdoctoral fellow in the Neuroscience Training Program, is leading research on synaptic growth that may provide insight into a variety of neurological disorders. The team's work was recently published in the journal Neuron. See the press release for more details.
Breast cancer researcher wins Shaw Award
Wei Xu, an assistant professor of oncology at UW-Madison, was awarded the Shaw prize to recognize and support her groundbreaking research on estrogen receptors and breast cancer tumors. The prize, awarded by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, will provide $200,000 in funds for Xu's work. Read more here.
Prof. Nancy Langston: Environmental historian
Initially trained as an ecologist, environmental studies and forest ecology professor Nancy Langston completed a path-breaking PhD in environmental history in the early 1990's. As a UW-Madison professor, she has continued to pursue interdisciplinary research on critical environmental issues that bring together the social and scientific. Read the full press release.
Innovative new engineering course brings real-world to the forefront
A new freshman engineering course, Introduction to Society's Engineering Grand Challenges, brings engineering disciplines and real-world problems together for students. Designed by Prof. Susan Hagness, the course received funding from the College of Engineering 2010 Initiative. Read the full story here.
Martin named Chancellor-designate
The Board of Regents has confirmed that Biddy (Carolyn A.) Martin will be the next UW-Madison Chancellor. Martin will take up the position from the outgoing Chancellor, John Wiley, in September 2008. Martin's long list of accomplishments include her work as Principal Investigator on Cornell University's ADVANCE grant, which was awarded in 2006. Additional details about Prof. Martin's experience can be found here.
Linda Greene awarded Outstanding Woman of Color Award
Linda Greene, Evjue-Bascom Professor of Law and WISELI Leadership Team member, has been awarded the UW System's 13th Annual Outstanding Woman of Color Award. Prof. Greene's accomplishments were celebrated with a reception held in the Memorial Union on Monday April 7th. Additional information about Prof. Greene's numerous contributions to academic and public life can be found here.
Kiessling, Wolfe named 2008 Guggenheim Fellows
Two female professors in the sciences, Laura Kiessling (Chemistry and Biochemistry) and Barbara Wolfe (Economics, Population Health Sciences and Public Affairs), were among those named 2008 Guggenheim Fellows. Prof. Kiessling will use the fellowship to further her research into alkene metathesis, a line of work that might have valuable biological applications. Prof. Wolfe will use her fellowship to study connections between income, socioeconomic status, and health. Her work aims to inform and improve social policy.
New Vice Provost for Diversity and Climate named
Damon A. Williams, PhD has been named the new Vice Provost for Diversity and Climate. Dr. Williams comes to UW-Madison from the University of Connecticut, where he has held an appointment as Assistant Vice Provost for Multicultural & International Affairs since 2002.
WISELI co-director chosen as a 2008 Association for Women in Science Fellow
Dr. Molly Carnes, professor of Medicine, Psychiatry, and Industrial & Systems Engineering and WISELI co-director, has been named an Association for Women in Science (AWIS) 2008 Fellow. The fellowship recognizes Dr. Carnes' outstanding commitment and contribution to the cause of gender equity in STEM fields.
Prof. Emily Stanley wins Romnes Award for research on inland water management
Emily Stanley, associate professor of Zoology and member of UW-Madison's Center for Limnology, received one of seven Romnes Awards given on the UW-Madison campus. The award, which carries a $50,000 prize, recognizes the outstanding potential of recently tenured UW-Madison faculty.
Biochemistry professor elected to National Academy of Sciences Council
Judith Kimble, Vilas Professor of Biochemistry, was elected to join the National Academy's governing body, the Council. Prof. Kimble will assume this major leadership role, as one of 12 elected Councilors, in July.
Assistant professor in Civil & Environmental Engineering wins best paper award
Prof. Jessica Y. Guo, along with her co-authors, was awarded the Pyke Johnson Award for their outstanding paper in the field of transportation systems planning and administration.
2007
December 2007
- Prof guides future generations of female students
- Stem cells show power to predict disease, drug toxicity
- Chancellor Wiley to step down in September 2008
- UW-Madison hydrogeologist, Madeline Gotkowitz, finds disinfecting wells can help control arsenic contamination
- Nelson Center team identifies effect of foreign air pollution on U.S. pollutant levels
November 2007
- Ahna Skop wins White House science award
- Engineer featured in DoIT academic technology video
- CoE SWE section recognized at national conference
- CEE graduate student, Andrea Bill, receives prestigious fellowship
- WISELI executive and research director, Dr. Jennifer Sheridan, receives Women's Philanthropy Council Champion Award
- Behan appointed associate dean at School of Veterinary Medicine
- New Antarctica research season kicks off
- Two young researchers win White House science award
October 2007
- Jane Mahoney: Reducing risk of falls among the elderly
- AAAS honors five UW-Madison members
- Center offers care option when kids are sick
- College honors 16 at Oct. 26 Engineers' Day festivities
- Team launches advanced-reactor materials study
- ECE student, Xujiao (Suzey) Gao receives best paper award
- CEE alumna, Lindsey Bergsven, wins student paper competition
- University group receives nearly $1M for undergrad mentoring
- Study of bacterial communities may provide climate-change clues
- Primate study shows excess vitamin A can be stored during fetal development
September 2007
- 'Jumping genes' could make for safer gene delivery system
- Hormone-driven effects on eating, stress mediated by same brain region
- Study reveals possible genetic risk for fetal alcohol disorders
August 2007
- Building green for less green: Design team plans lower-cost, energy-efficient housing
- ECE student, Mariya Lazebnik, awarded fellowship
- Hagness wins most-cited paper and early career teaching awards
- NIH MERIT award advances fetal alcohol research
July 2007
- Phosphorus management system balances farms, water quality
- Carla Alvarado receives best abstract award
- Team to study how people learn engineering
- Mother-of-pearl: Classic beauty and remarkable strength
June 2007
- WISELI Documentary Part 3 premiering June 13 on ResearchChannel
- On the June 24th anniversary of the death of Denice D. Denton, the women in science & engineering community remembers and celebrates her achievements
- Research may yield improved treatment for diseased lungs
- Midwest transportation coalition addresses regional freight challenges
May 2007
- Two faculty elected to National Academy of Sciences
- NSF CAREER award: Resident bacteria may help clean phosphorus from atrophied lakes
- Mutant parasites unable to infect hosts, highlight virulence genes
- New technique dissects stem cells' picky likes, dislikes
April 2007
- Gene that governs toxin production in deadly mold found
- UW-Madison announces 2007 Distinguished Teaching Award winners
- Arming the fight against resistant bacteria
- Bier and Okpara earn best paper award from Risk Analysis
- Project to study nurses' role in medication management
- Study finds microwaves are sensitive to different types of breast tissue
- Crone touts nano outreach to materials meeting attendees
- DARPA gives $1.1 million for quantum-box semiconductor lasers
- Shi receives Air Force award for large-scale optimization
March 2007
- Targeting tumors the natural way
- Abrupt climate change more common than believed
- Campus leader on climate, diversity issues to retire
- Incentives for security investment featured in IE magazine
- Romnes Awards support UW-Madison's emerging stars
- Nelson Institute director announces resignation
February 2007
- Study profiles rate of autism in Wisconsin
- Study looks at benefits of two cochlear implants in deaf children
- Researcher seeks 'missing piece' in climate change models
- Berquam named UW-Madison dean of students
- Geography professor honored with lifetime achievement award
- IEEE Robot Team places in competition
- Six faculty receive Kellett Mid-Career Awards for research
January 2007
- Study helps nanotech researchers hone outreach skills
- Nutrition researchers provide the skinny on trans fats
- Tracey Holloway awarded EPA grant
2006
December 2006
- Professor leads national effort to improve medical records
- New research program tackles Parkinson's Disease
- Amy Barger is recipient of 2007 Maria Goeppert-Mayer Award
- Five UW faculty inducted into National Academies
- Wisconsin scientists land major infectious disease awards
November 2006
- Five UW-Madison faculty named AAAS fellows
- New maps emphasize the human factor in wildfire management
- The Gerontological Society of America Confers 2006 Joseph T. Freeman Award to University of Wisconsin's Carnes
- Plant gene imaging team receives NSF grant
- Researchers Pascale Carayon and Raj Veeramani to study computer and information security
- Veterinary Medicine student establishes animal rescue organization
- Laura Kiessling receives prestigious Harrison Howe Award
- National Academy of Sciences: Broad national effort urgently needed to maximize potential of women scientists and engineers in academia
- Shi, Duffie explore new paradigm of production planning with funds from NSF
- Pfatteicher and El-Guebaly named research professors
October 2006
- Grant offers child care help to classified employees
- New drug blocks influenza, including bird flu virus
- Microbial "blueprint" may unlock mysteries of wastewater treatment
- Szlufarska receives Air Force funds
- Professor receives prestigious award for contributions to chemistry
- IPM program now includes berry growers, covers more parts of state
- Informatics education team receives NSF grant
- MRSEC outreach event draws middle-schoolers to campus (see photos)
September 2006
- Most widely used organic pesticide requires help to kill
- Five research universities awarded $250,000 grants to demonstrate innovative faculty career flexibility programs
- Women in Engineering Exhibit entitled "Petticoats and Slide Rules" to open in Wendt Library
- Forum to focus on 'moving forward together'
- NSF funds Susan Hagness and colleagues in development of 3-D sensing system
- Conference to advise businesses on pandemic preparation
- BME assistant professor Kristyn Masters receives NIH funding
- Campus leaders reflect on Denice Denton's life, career
August 2006
- Astronomers provide fresh peek at nearby galaxy
- Young chemist wins hefty corporate award
- Seltzer named interim director of Wisconsin Institute for Discovery
- Gariela Cezar's stem cell research targets birth defects and cancer
July 2006
April 2006
March 2006
- UW-Madison tops nation in number of 2006 Sloan Research Fellowships
- Patrick Farrell to become UW-Madison's next provost
- Educators win national recognition for teaching and mentorship
February 2006
- Experts question prevalent stereotypes about autism
- Scientists discuss evolutionary roots of social behavior
- National Academy of Engineering elects UW Geologist
- Scientist tracks behavior's neural roots in tiny brains
- Virologist Kenney to join UW School of Medicine and Public Health
- Concentrating solar collector earns first place in creativity, prototype competitions
- Study explains unexpected conductivity of nanoscale silicon
- UW-Madison Midwest Regional University Transportation Center (MRUTC) sponsors award-winning scout project
- Brennan receives grant to create tools for managing personal health information
- World's fastest image processor to aid search for long-sought form of matter
- UW professor Vicki Bier helps analyze terror risks as part of project funded by U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Like their pregnant mates, primate dads-to-be pack on pounds
January 2006
- Study: Mentors make or break student success
- Canine cancer vaccine shows early promise
- Mining for gems in the fungal genome
- Wisconsin athletic program earns diversity award
- Scientists link another gene to degenerative blindness
- Fellowship Program led by Wendy Crone and Terry Devitt to Help Public Understand Nanotech
- Advance points way to noninvasive brain cancer treatment
2005
December 2005
- Three candidates recommended for UW-Madison provost
- Brennan appointed to national advisory council on healthcare research and quality
- Civil and Environmental Engineering graduate student Andrea Bill receives Outstanding Student of the Year honor from Midwest Regional University Transportation Center
- Engineering students Nicole Rybeck and Amy Nagengast recognized by UW-Madison Student Organization Office with student leadership awards
- Vet school faculty, staff help Katrina's lost pets
- AWIS Membership Chair Middlecamp Named 2006 ACS National Winner
November 2005
- Two receive Women's Philanthropy Council 'Champion' awards
- Scientists map one of biology's critical light-sensing structures
- Six UW-Madison faculty elected AAAS fellows
- Jahn chosen to lead College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
- IE professor Pascale Carayon to serve as reviewer of British and Canadian Research Councils
- ME professor Roxanne Engelstad gives plenary talk at International Conference on Micro- and Nano-Engineering
October 2005
- UW-Madison Establishes Center for Global Health
- UW study shows deer in CWD zone stick to home
- Professor makes an impact in Sudan human rights
- Mellon, Paulnock named to Graduate School posts
- Counseling psychology honored for minority achievement
September 2005
- UW-Madison, Medical College of Wisconsin to lead a $16 million children's health initiative
- Analysis: Differences between the sexes largely exaggerated
- Key neural system at risk from fetal alcohol exposure
August 2005
- Scientist wins major grant to study little-known immune cells
- UW-Madison's Morton Ann Gernsbacher named APS president-elect
- Ethanol treatment may be instrumental in fighting IV-based infections
- Despite gains, women still face bias in science careers
June 2005
- New vet school oncologist offers innovative cancer treatment options
- Bier named to Homeland Security Committee
- BME assistant professor Kristyn Masters to begin cardiac study
- $4.9 million Muri Grant funds mismatched materials research
- Two scientists land leadership roles with national psychology group
- Assistant professor in Chemistry, Helen Blackwell, receives Cottrell Scholars Award
- Professor Teresa Adams named director of Midwest Regional University Transportation Center
May 2005
- UW-Madison selects Underwood as School of Education dean
- Counseling Psychology assistant professor Angela Byars-Winston receives Alfred P. Sloan Foundation grant
- Engineer tapped for national mentoring award
- Wendt and Ramanujam Win Vilas Associate Awards
- CEE student Andrea Bill receives Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship
- Ladson-Billings elected to National Academy of Education
- School of Veterinary Medicine personnel receive awards
- Kiessling to lead new chemical biology initiative
- Compounds in cranberries may have heart healthy effects
- UW primate authority elected to national academy
- Hagness team receives $1.25 million NIH grant
- BME graduate student Amy Beth Silder awarded NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Award
- IE undergraduate student Naraphorn Haphuriwat wins University Book Store academic award
- Society of Women Engineers receives Most Outstanding Contribution to Membership award
- The Boston Globe covers WISELI and the NSF ADVANCE Program: "A woman's place in the lab: Harvard studies efforts to boost women faculty at U-Wisconsin"
April 2005
- Women in science and engineering fields honored with Academic Staff Awards for research, teaching, and leadership
- Wisconsin researchers identify sleep gene
- CEE scientist receives UW-Madison academic staff award
- Engineering student Joanna Storm chosen for Iron Cross Society
- Transportation grad student Janille Smith attends Eno Leadership Development conference
- Nelson Institute head is a master at merging worlds
- Hirsch and Fowler receive classified staff awards
- Cecilia Ford receives Chancellor's Award for teaching excellence
- Strong link seen between Chlamydia and heart attack in young men
- Supersizing is no bargain, UW-Madison study shows
March 2005
- An open letter on campus diversity
- A scientific (teaching) revolution
- Study: Marmoset Dads Don't Stray
- To control germs, scientists deploy tiny agents provocateurs
- In solution, tiny magnetic wires scatter light
- Baldwin grants fund seven innovative projects
- Study: Eye contact triggers threat signals in autistic children's brains
- MIT groups honors NimbleGen, Ramanujam
February 2005
- Women's health expert to address state issues
- Muetze and Gopalan receives NSF CAREER awards
- Two prominent women scientists among eight at UW-Madison elected AAAS Fellows
- Carayon named P&G Professor in Total Quality
- Vet tech's knowledge helps malamutes embark on show careers
- Two honored with Outstanding Women of Color award
- Ramanujam receives $2 million for breast cancer studies
January 2005
2004
November 2004
- WAA honors Molly Carnes with Cabinet 99 recognition award
- In a tiny squid, bacterial toxin governs organ development
- Symposium encourages American Indians to enter health, science
September 2004
August 2004
- MRSEC internship program funding renewed
- IE student Ayse Gurses receives dissertation grant
- IE student Sara Kraemer selected to participate in Academy of Management workshop
- Sandefur to lead Letters and Science
- ACE Mentor Mary Behan Sees Mentoring as Critical to Success in Academia
- UW veterinarians try new drug for equine heart fibrillations
- A changing landscape may have dire implications for birds
July 2004
- Study: Too few doctors ask teens about smoking
- Hagness honored for biomedical achievements
- Health Systems researchers Jenna Marguard and Anne Moen win poster award
- Viewing breast biopsy in a new light
June 2004
- New 'Research Channel' to reach and teach larger audiences
- Leyuan Shi receives $100,000 award from NSF for her research on large-scale practical scheduling and sequencing problems
- New Materials Science and Engineering Department Chair, Susan Babcock, begins term July 1
- UW-Madison scientists find a key to cell division
May 2004
- Women scientists among four UW-Madison faculty members to win Hilldale Awards
- Women scientists among eight faculty honored with named professorships
- Two faculty win Shaw Scientist awards
- Population Health Professor Mari Palta elected 2004 ASA Fellow
- Chemists find a new chink in TB's armor
- McMahon and Benson to study prion fate in wastewater
- Brennan to lead health-care computer effort
- BME student Erin Gill receives CoE fellowship
- Elizabeth Schmerr Chumanov awarded NSF graduate fellowship
- Jackie Gerhart named one of three UW-Madison outstanding undergraduate student leaders of the year
April 2004
- Bye-Bye Bio 101: Teach science the way you do science
- Zoologist elected to National Academy of Sciences
- Evelyn Howell receives the Chancellor's Award
- Susan Hagness named fellow of University of Wisconsin-Madison Teaching Academy
- Wendy Crone receives a $333,000 grant from Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- NIH awards Nimmi Ramanujam $940,359 R01 grant
- Kathleen Schell receives Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Research
March 2004
- Westley to lead Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
- Microbe's trick provides a template for willowy crystals
February 2004
- Bacteria and environmental factors linked to cranberry stem gall
- BME senior Jacqueline Gerhart in USA Today top-20 academics
January 2004
- Leavitt, Hyde receive feminist scholars fellowship awards
- Bier to lead UW portion of new homeland security grant
- BME students Carmalyn Lubawy and Melissa Skala receive DOD breast cancer fellowships
2003
December 2003
November 2003
- Lecture to address girders under glass ceiling
- Device may help keep dog knees limber
- 29 UW-Madison faculty among most cited
- Carayon and Wetterneck to study medication error reduction
- Sex a necessary evolutionary commodity, new study shows
- Discovery provides reminder of bacteriology professor
- Educators ponder teaching biology as a scientific enterprise
- Eleven UW-Madison Faculty Named AAAS Fellows
- Carayon Nominated To IEA Executive Committee
October 2003
September 2003
- Nimmi Ramanujam named one of 100 Top Young Innovators by Technology Review magazine
- Study to focus on Upper Midwest freight transportation needs
- Open communication: Shared code could facilitate health-care information transfer
- Martha Casey, PhD, retires from her position as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Planning and Analysis
- NSF Releases Report on Girls in Science and Engineering
- Katherine Compton (ECE), Padma Gopalan (MSE), Kristyn Masters (BME), and Heidi-Lynn Ploeg (ME) are among 11 new faculty hired for 2004
August 2003
- New ombuds office created to help resolve conflicts
- Whitaker Foundation funds hypertension research
- ECE student Mariya Lazebnik wins NSF graduate fellowship
- Bier co-chairs NAE meeting
July 2003
- Professor of Plant Pathology Caitilyn Allen's research highlighted in the Wisconsin State Journal: "Tracking Down An Evil And Costly Plant Killer"
June 2003
- UW-Madison School of Pharmacy dean selected
- Wendy Crone and colleagues awarded a $100,000 NSF grant
May 2003
- CQPI'S Alvarado honored for health efforts
- Handelsman elected to American Academy of Microbiology
- Laura Kiessling elected Fellow of AAAS
April 2003
- Women in science receive three of the four Hilldale Awards
- Pamela Douglas inducted as vice president of the American College of Cardiology
March 2003
February 2003
- Theresa Adams, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, spearheads and chairs new interdisciplinary graduate-level certificate: The Transportation Management and Policy Program
- Hagness to receive UW-Madison Teaching Award
- Bier receives NSF Grant, has book published
- Demont named Chair of National ASEE Division
- Farrell elected SAE fellow
January 2003
- Provost Peter Spear recently fielded questions from Wisconsin Week staff on climate improvement effort, and announced new Campus Climate Network website
- Durand to help lead diversity, climate efforts
- Sparke elected APS fellow
2002
December 2002
November 2002
October 2002
- Wolfe elected to National Institute of Medicine
- Laura L. Kiessling named AAAS fellow
- Dean Paul Peercy has named Deanna Dietrich Associate Dean for Research and Policy Administration for the College of Engineering
- Johns Hopkins asks itself, why so few women?
- UW News profiles Nita Sahai, Assistant Professor in Geochemistry
- Caitilyn Allen, Professor, Plant Pathology and Women's Studies, is named Faculty Science Adviser for the Office of International Studies and Programs
- Janet Hyde, Professor, Psychology and Women's Studies, receives three-year grant from NSF
- Shaima Nasiri, doctoral student, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, has receives first Suomi-Simpson Graduate Fellowship, sponsored by UW-Madison and NASA
- Leyuan Shi, Professor, Industrial Engineering, and Harriet Nembhard, Assistant Professor, Industrial Engineering, have received a grant from the National Science Foundation to support their project, "An Evaluation Approach for Flexibility in Manufacturing Enterprises"
- Amy Stambach, Assistant Professor, Educational Policy Studies and Anthropology, receives Spencer Small Research Grant
- Barbara Wolfe, Thomas Kaplan and Robert Haveman, Institute for Research on Poverty, are co-principal investigators on a study of the implications of BadgerCare for work and earnings
- Gary Sandefur, a WISELI Leadership Team member, is co-organizer of the "Many Wisdoms in Higher Education: Communicating Our Changing Cultures, Communities and Challenges" symposium
September 2002
- Grant aids biologist's teaching
- Engineering Physics Assistant Professor and WISELI affiliate Wendy Crone Wins Teaching-Strategy Paper Award
- Marsha Mailick Seltzer named director of Waisman Center
August 2002
- Laura Knoll receives Greater Milwaukee Foundation's Shaw Scientist Award
- WISELI announces "Celebrating Women in Science & Engineering Grant Program"
May 2002
- Report finds disparities in hiring at U.S. labs
- NSF Division of Science Resources Statistics releases "Science and Engineering Indicators 2002"












