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After 26 years in flight, Murdoch lands with UW Naval ROTC
Capt. Christopher Murdoch, who spent 26 years on active duty in some of the world’s major trouble spots as an aviator in the U.S. Navy, has taken command of the UW–Madison Naval ROTC unit. During a July ceremony, Murdoch took over for Capt. Russ Haas, who retired after three years as Wisconsin ROTC’s commanding officer.
Winning climate change solutions range from meat processing to mindfulness
The Climate Quest competition to spur innovative climate change solutions is down to a field of five. At the Climate Quest Concept Pitch on Sept. 19, 18 teams presented their ideas to a panel of investors and entrepreneurs, who rated the ideas on many factors including creativity, scalability and potential impact. The panel selected five teams to advance to the next round of the competition.
Internal communications improvements underway
Robust internal communications are essential to a well-functioning workplace. An Administrative Process Redesign project recently completed a study of the issue on campus and is suggesting a set of improvements on behalf of UW employees.
Mountain pine beetles get a bad rap for wildfires, study says
Mountain pine beetles get a bad rap, and understandably so. The grain-of-rice-sized insects are responsible for killing pine trees over tens of millions of acres in the Western U.S. and Canada over the last decade. But contrary to popular belief, these pests may not be to blame for more severe wildfires like those that have recently swept through the region. Instead, according to a new study by UW–Madison zoology professor Monica Turner, weather and topography play a greater role in the ecological severity of fires than these bark-boring beetles.
How do lawyers matter? Study explores the question for low-income litigants
For every 6,415 people in the United States who qualify for legal aid (income at or below 125 percent of the poverty line), there is one legal aid attorney, leaving about three-quarters of low-income civil litigants in the United States unrepresented and creating an increasingly prevalent situation that some call a "justice gap."
In memoriam: Ray D. Owen discovered immune tolerance, paved the way for organ transplantation
Ray D. Owen, who died on Sept. 21 in Pasadena, California, at the age of 98, discovered the phenomenon of immune tolerance, fueling a revolution in immunology and laying the foundation for the successful transplantation of human organs. Owen left Madison in 1947 to join the faculty at Caltech, where he remained for the rest of his long, distinguished career. His later work included studies on human antibodies, blood-group antigens, and the evolution of immune systems.
UW-Madison School of Music presents plans for new recital hall
The University of Wisconsin–Madison's School of Music is moving ahead with plans to construct the first phase of a new performance center at the corner of Lake Street and University Avenue.
Birchbark Canoe/Carrots/Homeless Students
Stories from UW–Madison about how bridges are being built to strengthen community. See how the was of the tribal ancestors are passed to a new…
First Wave: World class creativity, academics and outreach
The First Wave Hip Hop and Urban Arts Learning Community, housed in the Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives at UW–Madison is a cutting-edge multicultural artistic…
UW-Madison: The Idea Factory
Being a large research institution has profound benefits on the state of Wisconsin and on the students that study at UW–Madison. Many undergraduate students work…
Environmental historian William Cronon awarded Wilderness Society’s highest honor
Environmental historian and University of Wisconsin–Madison professor William Cronon has been presented with The Wilderness Society’s Robert Marshall Award — the organization’s highest civilian honor — for his contributions to the protection of America’s wild places. The award, named for wilderness visionary Robert Marshall, is given to a private citizen who has made outstanding, long-term contributions to conservation and fostering an American land ethic.
Bascom Hill staircase to open in October; mall to follow soon
After four months of construction, the State Street Mall and related Bascom Hill staircase projects are finally nearing the finish line.
UW-Madison team developing ‘tissue chip’ to screen neurological toxins
A multidisciplinary team at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Morgridge Institute for Research is creating a faster, more affordable way to screen for neural toxins, helping flag chemicals that may harm human development.
Alumnus finds passion for patient advocacy after accident
When Jeff Mahlum suffered a spinal cord injury during a diving accident in 2011 that left him paralyzed from the chest down, he had the unfortunate opportunity to learn how confusing and daunting the health care system can be. Having graduated with a major in biology from the UW in 2013, Mahlum decided to use the gap year between undergraduate and medical school to learn more about how he could understand the needs of his future patients. Mahlum, who’s now enrolled at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, discovered patient advocacy and the Center for Patient Partnerships.
Campus reminded of guidelines for political activity
As political activity intensifies in the weeks before the fall election, members of the UW–Madison campus community are encouraged to participate in the political process by voicing their opinions on state and national issues. Students, staff and faculty are reminded, however, of campus and UW System policies regarding what constitutes an appropriate space for political activity.
Wisconsin residents well-represented in freshman class
The freshman class at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is the third largest in school history, with 6,264 students, and features the second largest number of Wisconsin residents in the past 13 years.
Electronic Lab Notebooks now available
Researchers have long relied on the venerable and trusted paper lab notebook for keeping an orderly record of research data, notes and experimental procedures. Soon, researchers on the UW–Madison campus will have a new option to store and organize these activities in the form of Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) software services under a new UW contract with LabArchives.
Recent sightings: Parents’ Weekend
Campus hosted the annual Parents’ Weekend from Sept. 19-21, formally introducing parents to the staples of campus life. The events included luncheons, photo ops, information sessions, faculty presentations and more.