Category State & Global
Erik Forsberg appointed executive director of WiCell Research Institute
Erik Forsberg has been named to the newly created position of executive director of the WiCell Research Institute. In this position, Forsberg will direct all operations of the private, non-profit institute, a supporting organization of the University of Wisconsin–Madison that provides core services to UW–Madison stem cell researchers and operates the National Stem Cell Bank.
Fund for late professor lifts Engineers Without Borders into the black
Katie Simon had a lot to be nervous about in March 2007 when she became the president of the University of Wisconsin–Madison chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB), an organization that applies the knowledge of engineers to improving the quality of life for developing communities.
Textiles professor embraces community service, collaboration
Larry Eisenberg was in the middle of a remodeling and expansion project, and he needed some new carpeting - $85 million worth of it, in fact.
UW students help El Salvadoran towns build wastewater system
New Year's Eve in Nejapa, El Salvador, looks a lot like the Fourth of July. At Griselda Guzman's house, homemade fireworks lighted the front yard, where the guests dancing outside her pale yellow home included 11 University of Wisconsin–Madison engineering students and three advisers.
The key to quieter Atlantic hurricane seasons may be blowing in the wind
Every year, storms over West Africa disturb millions of tons of dust and strong winds carry those particles into the skies over the Atlantic. According to a recent study led by University of Wisconsin–Madison atmospheric scientists, this dust from Africa directly affects ocean temperature, a key ingredient in Atlantic hurricane development.
Edil receives Turkish science award
In a January ceremony held at the presidential palace in Ankara, Turkey, and attended by Turkish dignitaries, including the president, president of the parliament, prime minister, cabinet ministers, university presidents, and others, University of Wisconsin–Madison Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Tuncer Edil received the Special Science Award from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey.
Students take leadership venture to South Africa
After more than 40 hours of traveling, 30 University of Wisconsin–Madison students arrived last week in Cape Town, South Africa to start a two-week adventure in South Africa's capital city that will include a leadership seminar and service projects.
Undergrad team debuts in genetic engineering competition
For the first time, a team of University of Wisconsin–Madison undergraduates participated in the annual International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition (iGEM), held this fall at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Foreign ozone emissions lower U.S. air quality
When it comes to environmental impacts, no nation is an island. A recent study from the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison finds that up to 15 percent of U.S. air pollution comes from Asian and European sources.
New Antarctica research season kicks off
The approach of winter in the northern hemisphere means that summer is coming to Antarctica - still bitterly cold, but just warm enough to let scientists make progress on ongoing studies. A number of UW–Madison researchers are awaiting the call.