iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Join us for our first Faculty seminar of the season this Monday, September 14th at 2pm as David Baum presents "The evolution of evolution: How chemistry becomes biology during origins of life". Orchard View Room, Discovery Building, UW–Madison campus. Free and open to the public.

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

The L&S Honors Program has selected Dr. Karen Schloss @kbschloss.bsky.social as a 2026 Excellence in Honors Thesis Advising awardee! 🎓🏆

Wisconsin Institute for Discovery congratulates Karen Schloss Excellence in honors thesis advising awardee

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Get ready to LOL and geek out! 🤣 Join us for a night of Sci-prov at the Discovery Building on April 29th at 7pm. Who knew science could be so ridiculously funny? 🤯 Admission is free, but don't be a lab rat - register at go.wisc.edu/wid-sci-prov!

The Illuminating Discovery Hub and Amalgam Improv present Sci-prov (Science meets improv comedy). April 29 at 7pm. DeLuca Forum, 330 N Orchard Street, Madison wi. go.wisc.edu/wid-sci-prov. Sponsored by Wisconsin Institute for Discovery

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

On 4/24, SoundWaves wraps up the academic year exploring scale with Astronomical Scale. How can we understand the hugeness of the universe? How do we build the robotics to explore the universe? How did the ancients view the universe? Also, hear the out-of-this-world sounds from Twisted Metal.

SoundWaves Exploring Scales. Astronomical Scale, Friday, April 24th at 7:30pm, Hamel Music Center, Collins Recital Hall featuring musical guests Twisted Metal (the UW Horn Choir)

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

SAVE THE DATE! WID Seminar Series: 'Modeling parasite life cycles in mice and microfluidic devices' presented by Laura Knoll and introduced by Elebeoba (Chi-Chi) May. April 21 at 1pm in the Orchard View Room, Discovery Building. Light refreshments served. Free and open to the public.

WID Seminar Series: 'Modeling parasite life cycles in mice and microfluidic devices' presented by Laura Knoll and introduced by Elebeoba (Chi-Chi) May. April 21 at 1pm in the Orchard View Room, Discovery Building. Light refreshments served. Free and open to the public.

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Tommasi's paper, "Efficient Nonviral Integration of Large Transgenes into Human T Cells Using Cas9-CLIPT," was chosen based on its novelty, innovation, & scientific significance. A member of WID's Saha lab, she will receive the award at the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy's meeting in May.

Wisconsin Institute for Discovery congratulates Anna Tommasi: Best of Molecular Therapy Advances award for 2026 for her paper 'Efficient Nonviral Integration of Large Transgenes into Human T Cells Using Cas9-CLIPT'

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Congrats WID faculty member, Claudia Solís-Lemus, the 2026 recipient of the Robert R. Spitzer Teaching Excellence Award recognizing an individual who has significantly enhanced the quality and impact of instruction in CALS through outstanding teaching practices, pedagogy, or other accomplishments.

Wisconsin Institute for Discovery Congratulates Claudia Solis-Lemus, 2026 Robert R. Spitzer Teaching Excellence Award. Claudia's photo on a sparkly red background.

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Save the date! WID Seminar Series: University Driven Entrepreneurship introduced by Jon Eckhardt. March 17 at 1pm in the Orchard View Room, Discovery Building. Light refreshments served. Free and open to the public. Remote option available. uwmadison.zoom.us/j/98293855424

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Save the date! Our final talk of the Productive Failure Series! 'When Antibiotics Fail', March 18th, 7pm, Discovery Building De Luca Forum. @wildtypemc.bsky.social Marc Chevrette and Tiny Earth's Sarah Miller discuss lifesaving drugs: how they are discovered & what we can do to keep them potent.

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Congratulations Discovery Fellow, @nanli.bsky.social for earning a Vilas Associate Award! The competition recognizes new and ongoing research of the highest quality and significance. Recipients are chosen competitively by the divisional Research Committees on the basis of a detailed proposal.

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

David Fields (UW-Madison Department of East Asian Studies) and Rob Nowak (UW-Madison Computer, Data & Information Sciences) will explore what happens when AI technology falls short. They’ll discuss what failure in AI can teach us, and how it can inspire innovation, critical thinking, and resilience.

Crossroads of Ideas Part II: Productive Failure Mini-Series, The upside of AI Failure. Thursday, February 19 at 7pm. Discovery Building, DeLuca Forum. Free and open to the public. go.wisc.edu/crossroads-of-ideas

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Wisconsin Institute for Discovery congratulates Dr. Cassandra Leech who was recently honored with the Wisconsin initiative for science literacy award for communicating PhD research to the public.

Wisconsin Institute for Discovery Congratulates Dr. Cassandra Leech Wisconsin initiative for science literacy award for communicating PhD research to the public. Smiling woman in PhD regalia with her hands in the shape of a W

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Failure is often seen as a setback—but in science and entrepreneurship, it can be the spark that drives breakthroughs. In this 1st installment of our Productive Failure Mini-Series, explore how missteps, unexpected results, and strategic pivots shape discovery, strengthen ideas, & fuel innovation.

How Failure Fuels Innovation, Wed Jan 28, 7pm, Discovery Building, Orchard View Room, Free and open to the public, go.wisc.edu/crossroads-of-ideas

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

SAVE THE DATE! Part 1 of our Productive Failure mini-series! Crossroads of Ideas: How Failure Fuels Innovation. Featuring @sahakris.bsky.social, @jon-eckhardt.bsky.social, and Adhira Sunkara.www.eventbrite.com/e/crossroads...

Crossroads of Ideas: Part 1: Productive Failure Mini-Series: How Failure Fuels Innovation. January 28, 2026, 7pm, Discovery Building, Orchard View Room. Free and open to the public. go.wisc.edu/crossroads of ideas

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

TONIGHT! ❄❄❄Due to the predicted inclement weather, we are also offering a virtual attendance option (uwmadison.zoom.us/j/91451748806).❄❄❄

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

SAVE THE DATE! This Crossroads of Ideas conversation will pull back the curtain on quantum science, revealing its surprising role in shaping the present, and the future, we all share. Presented in celebration of 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.

Crossroads of ideas Quantum Frontiers. tues, dec 9, 7pm, Discovery Building, Orchard View room. go.wisc.edu/crossroads-of-ideas. Free and open to the public

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Join us on November 21 at 10am for WID Discovery Fellow Bilge Mutlu to share his research 'Designing for Integration: Bringing Embodied AI into the Real World'. A truly timely presentation open to the public. More info on WID Faculty Seminars at wid.wisc.edu/all-events/w...

WID Seminar series. collaborative Complex Systems: The Year of Discovery Fellows. Designing for Integration: Bringing Embodied AI into the Real World. Bilge Mutlu, PhD. Introduced by Daniel Pimentel-Alarcon. Nov 21, 10am. https://wid.wisc.edu/all-events/wid-seminar-series/

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

Join UW–Madison’s David Drake and Carroll University’s Mindy Waite to explore the relationship between humans and animals, both wild and domestic. How retrofitting animals into the human world has enabled new insights into behavior, adaptation, and the possibilities for living together.

Living and learning with animals, Wednesday, November 12 at 7pm. Discovery Building, Orchard View room. go.wisc.edu/crossroads-of-ideas. Free and open to the public

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

We congratulate Chandrani Kumari from the @sroyyors.bsky.social Lab for her first place poster at the 2025 UW–Madison postdoctoral symposium.

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

Congratulations to WID faculty member Rupa Sridharan on earning an H.I. Romnes award.

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

Congratulations to WID Discovery Fellow, Tim Kamp on his WARF named professorship.

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Congrats to Giulia Scimonelli from the @sahakris.bsky.social Lab. The research award, funded by grants from Brittingham Wisconsin Trust, Knapp Bequest, and UW Division for Teaching and Learning, allows her to study T Cell Phenotype Enrichment Through mRNA Delivery for Enhanced CAR-T Manufacturing.

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

Congratulations to WID: undergraduate researchers, Tianyi Xu, Solís-Lemus Lab; and Nolan You, Yin Lab for recently being inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. We acknowledge your hard work in your labs and contribution to our institute.

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

Final WID Seminar of the semester! Join us on April 29 at 1pm for Schloss Lab presenting Perceptual semantics for visual and haptic communication. More info at wid.wisc.edu/all-events/w...

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Join us on April 22nd! We are part of the Earthfest Celebration!

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

Now would be a great time to reserve your seat for our final SoundWaves of the season taking place at the beautiful Hamel Music Center, Mead Witter Foundation Concert Hall (740 University Avenue) on April 11th at 7:30pm. Invite your friends and make a night of it! go.wisc.edu/soundwaves

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

Congratulations to Claudia Solís-Lemus! The Bassam Z. Shakhashiri Public Science Engagement Award recognizes one University of Wisconsin–Madison faculty member and one academic staff member for excellence in engaging the public with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) research.

Wisconsin Institute for Discovery congratulates Claudia Solís-Lemus, 2025 winner of the Bassam Z. Shakhashiri Public Science Engagement Award. Photo of Dr. Solís-Lemus. Story at https://research.wisc.edu/uncategorized/2025/03/05/excellence-in-outreach-recognized-with-bassam-z-shakhashiri-public-science-engagement-award-2/

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

Mark your calendars! The @johandelsman.bsky.social lab presents Finding simplicity in complex systems: Signaling in a model #microbial community on March 18 at 1pm. If you can't make it to the seminar in person, please join us at the link in the QR code. Either way, see you there!

WID SEMINAR SERIES
Discovering simplicity in complex systems at the intersection
of digital and natural worlds

Handelsman Lab presents
“Finding simplicity in complex
systems: Signaling in a model
microbial community”

Introduced by Jon Eckhardt, Pyle Bascom Professor in
Business Leadership

Mar 18 | 1-2:15pm
Orchard View Room | Discovery Building
Streaming option
https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/96326864622
Light refreshments served
Open to the public

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Congratulatesions to Rupa Sridharan on her promotion to full professor.

Wisconsin Institute for Discovery congratulates Rupa Sridharan on her promotion to full professor.

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

For #InternationalDayofWomenandGirlsinScience we highlighted some of our outstanding colleagues by celebrating the children they were and the accomplished scientists they have become. Read the alt tags for some fun facts. Enjoy! 2/2

Martel den Hartog: As a child, I thought I would follow in my grandpa’s career path as an optometrist. In fifth grade, I got a local optometrist and tech to dissect cow eyeballs for my class (and I think I’m the only one that thought it was cool).
I am the Tiny Earth Chemistry Hub manager where I coordinate antibiotic discovery research activities in the Handelsman Lab. I am also a master’s student in Life Sciences Communication studying how people gather information and perceive risks of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance.

Vanessa Sawkmie: As a child, my dream was probably to finally be done with school forever so I could be free. Joke’s on me—I’m still in school 25 years later!
I’m currently pursuing my Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, studying applications of stochastic optimization in undersea warfare!

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

Claudia Solís-Lemus: As a child, I dreamed of becoming a math teacher. Currently, I am an assistant professor in data science, specialized on plant and human health applications.

Karen Schloss: As a child, my dream was to become a ballet dancer, but in college, I fell in love with science!
Currently, my lab focuses on understanding the role of color meaning in information visualizations, with the goal of making visual communication more effective and efficient.

Mariah Knowles: As a child, I wanted to live in the woods with the wolves and make toys.
As Curriculum Lead for Tiny Earth she is a self-described “Swiss army knife,” including a decade of experience in teaching, curriculum design, and AJEDI.

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

What can archeology tell us about the development of our forebears? How can we develop better conditions for dairy animals? How do babies develop language? How do computer scientists develop operating systems? How did Franz Schubert master musical development in Death and the Maiden? Join us 2/21!

SoundWaves Developing Ideas, Part 3. Friday, February 21 at 7:30pm-9pm. Discovery Building, Deluca Forum. Featuring the Pro Arte Quartet. go.wisc.edu/soundwaves

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

Mark your calendars! The first WID Seminar of 2025 is chock full of virtual reality from the Ponto Group. Speaking of virtual, if you can't make it to the seminar in person, please join us at the link in the QR code. Either way, see you there!

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

With warm wishes for a happy holiday season and a year full of discovery!

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

Congratulations to WID PIs Krishanu Saha and Kevin Ponto on their well deserved promotions to full professor.

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Wisconsin Institute for Discovery @widofficial.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

Join us in person or online for the next WID Seminar, Tuesday, Nov 26 from 1-2:15 in the Orchard View Room, Discovery Building, UW–Madison. Alex Xie from the Gong Lab will present Multifuncional Nanomedicines for Various Biomedical Applications. Streaming option at uwmadison.zoom.us/j/96326864622.

WID Seminar Series, Discovering simplicity in complex systems at the intersection of digital and natural worlds. Orchard View Room, Discovery Building, 26 November, 1-2:15pm. Light refreshments served. Streaming option at https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/96326864622. Title of talk is Multifuncional Manomendicines for various biomedical applications.

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