UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater
18 January 2021
Hi Everyone,
The sea change for science in public policy continues at the federal level as President-elect Biden announced Eric Lander as his chief science advisor and raised the position for the first time to cabinet level.
Closer to home, Andrea Palm of Wisconsin will be the new Deputy Secretary at the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Even closer to home, yesterday three professors from the La Follette School & the Department of Political Science published a critique questioning the design and substance of a study by the Tommy Thompson Center published last week on the question of how UW-Madison students view free speech issues.
Closest to my heart, and in the wake of the coup attempt at the Capitol as Congress was counting of the elector votes on January 6, the epistemology of conspiracy theories is under increased scrutiny.
In light of all the turbulence, may I suggest the solace and inspiration that may be found in reading President Obama’s speech to the National Academy of Sciences on April 27, 2009. I think he hit a nail on the head with this proposition: “Science is more essential for our prosperity, our security, our health, our environment, and our quality of life than it has ever been before.”
Roll the chronometer forward to 2021, and this still rings true to me—and likely to many of you.
Thanks again!
Tom Zinnen
Note: please visit https://science.wisc.edu/science–alliance/ for the Updater archive.
Notable This Week
1. Science Alliance meets weekly by Webex at 10:00 am Mondays, but not today, January 18 as we mark the Martin Luther King Jr holiday. Email Liz Jesse at ejesse2@wisc.edu or Tom Zinnen at zinnen@biotech.wisc.edu to receive the link. The meeting notes are archived on https://science.wisc.edu/science–alliance/. We will resume next Monday, January 25
The draft agenda for next Monday, January 25 at 10am includes:
- Welcome
- Updates
- Science Expeditions Campus-wide Open House April 9-11:
- Online Events
- Outdoor Activities on Campus & Other UW-Madison Sites
- Communications & Promotions
- Engineering Expo update
- Other announcements or topics
2. Please add your upcoming online programs or resources with learners of any ages to the list at http://science.wisc.edu/ and be sure to include program events in the calendar at http://today.wisc.edu and tag them with “Science” and any other appropriate tag.
3. Programming Events coming this week and soon:
- Badger Talks Live: – https://www.facebook.com/UWConnects/live & https://badgertalks.wisc.edu/events/ On hiatus until January 26 at noon CST.
- Winter Wonderland: Night Hike with Outdoor UW. Tuesday January 19, 5:00-6:00pm. Meet outside Outdoor UW at Memorial Union just before 5:00 pm to set off to the west.
- “Wednesday Nite @ The Lab” public science seminar, by Zoom. Wednesdays at 7 pm CT. Every Wednesday night, 50 times a year. Register at go.wisc.edu/240r59. WN@TL on January 20 features Prof Claudia Solis-Lemus, Plant Pathology & Wisconsin Institute for Discovery with her talk entitled, “Through the Looking-Glass of Data Science.”
- The UW Now Livestream. Tuesday January 19 at 7pm CST with Richard Davidson of Psychology and Psychiatry and
Jennifer Ratner-Rosenhagen of History
- Virtual Saturday Science Workshop with UW Space Place. Most Saturdays at 10:00am. Check at http://www.spaceplace.wisc.edu/#satworkshops.
- Check for other events presented online and available to all at http://today.wisc.edu/events/tag/science
4. Upcoming Lineup for Wednesday Nite @ The Lab online by zoom starting at 7pm Central. Register at https://go.wisc.edu/240r59
Schedule and descriptions at https://science.wisc.edu/wednesday-nite-at-the-lab/
Jan 20 Claudia Solis-Lemus, Plant Pathology & Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, “Through the Looking-Glass of Data Science”
Jan 27 Sean Carroll, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, “A Series of Fortunate Events: Chance and the Making of the Planet, Life, and You”
Feb 3 Andrea Strzelec, Engineering, “The Future of Hybrid Vehicles: Electric vs Electrified Powertrains”
Feb 10 Moriah Szpara, Pennsylvania State University, Neurovirology & Neuron-Virus Relationships. Special speaker for UW-Madison Darwin Days
5. Paul Brandl and Tom Zinnen, co-organizers of the “PLATO Frontiers in Life Sciences” seminar series, are looking for your suggestions of colleagues who might like to give a ~50 minute talk by zoom on their research to a group of ~25 retirees. They’re an affirmative and appreciative audience. Now in its 16th year, “PLATO Frontiers” runs Wednesdays starting at 1pm, beginning on February 24, 2021. Please contact Tom Zinnen with suggestions: zinnen@biotech.wisc.edu.
6. The Arboretum has just announced the Winter Enrichment lecture series, Arboretum Research Symposium, and a few winter classes. Below is information for the Updater.
WINTER ENRICHMENT VIRTUAL LECTURE SERIES
The 2021 lectures will be virtual on Thursday mornings, February 4 through April 8, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Lectures are $10 each and advance registration is required. 7 or more lectures for $70. Talks will begin promptly at 10 a.m. (CST).
February 4. Relationships, History, Hip Hop, and Forestry: Thinking About Diversity and Inclusion in the Environmental Sciences. Thomas Easley, Assistant Dean of Community and Inclusion, Yale University, Yale School of the Environment. Register by January 31.
February 11. Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Biodiversity Conservation. Robin Kimmerer, Distinguished Teaching Professor, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York. Register by February 7. NOTE: This lecture will not be recorded.
February 25. How Microbes Shape Our Lives, Transform the Environment, and Influence Climate Change. Charlotte Francoeur, Ph.D. Student, Department of Bacteriology, UW–Madison. Register by February 21.
March 4. Holy Ground: Working with Faith and Indigenous Leaders to Build Resilience. Dekila Chungyalpa, Director, Loka Initiative, Center for Healthy Minds, UW–Madison. Register by February 28.
March 11. Beyond the Clinical Walls: Environmental Determinants of Health. Jamie Ferschinger, Director, and Stephanie Mercado, Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator, Department of Environmental Health, Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers. Register by March 7.
March 18. Climate Change and Wisconsin’s Forests: What We Know, What We Expect, and How to Adapt. Stephen Handler, Climate Change Specialist, United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service and Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science. Register by March 14.
March 25. Treaty Rights, Culturally Important Beings, and Indigenous-led Climate Adaptation in the Ojibwe Ceded Territories. Robert Croll, Policy Analyst and Climate Change Program Coordinator, and Hannah Panci, Climate Change Scientist, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. Register by March 21.
April 1. Using Markets to Achieve Conservation: Examples from the Field. Dominic Parker, Associate Professor, Agricultural and Applied Economics, UW–Madison. Register by March 28.
April 8. Climate Change, Reality versus Development: Global South and Worldwide Perspective. Marie-Josée Paula Houénou, specialist in climate change and environmental law and strategies, and city advisor, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and a 2018 Mandela Washington Fellow at UW–Madison. Register by April 4.
ARBORETUM RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM
February 18. Arboretum Research Symposium. Students, faculty, and other researchers will present findings from projects on Arboretum lands and in the Lake Wingra watershed. Free. Register in advance. About the Arboretum Research Symposium»
ARBORETUM VIRTUAL CLASSES
Fridays, February 5 and 12, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
Nature Poetry, session 1
These classes offer a sampling of modern nature poetry. Session is two classes, February 5 and 12. Instructor: Troy Hess. Fee: $15 for session. Space is limited. Registration required by January 31.
Fridays, February 19 and 26, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
Nature Poetry, session 2
These classes offer a sampling of modern nature poetry. Session is two classes, February 19 and 26. Instructor: Troy Hess. Fee: $15 for session. Space is limited. Registration required by February 14.
Tuesdays, March 2 and 9, 6:30–8 p.m.
Writing Your “Marshland Elegy”
Writing Your “Marshland Elegy”
In this two-part class, we will interpret Aldo Leopold’s “Marshland Elegy” through the contemporary lens of unprecedented loss of species and ecological diversity. Session is two classes, March 2 and 9. Instructor: Troy Hess. Fee: $15 for session. Space is limited. Registration required by February 25.
7. Madison Makes! A Virtual Showcase of Local Makers presented by Monona Terrace
Have you taken on a new creative project during this pandemic, or reignited your passion for an existing hobby? If you’ve found enrichment in making and creating during these challenging times, we’d like to hear from you!
Madison Makes is a new virtual event occurring on March 6, which will showcase videos of Madison area people who love to create and want to share it with others.
Monona Terrace is inviting video submissions through February 1. Space is limited and participation is not guaranteed. All ages and making activities are welcome to submit. Learn more at https://www.mononaterrace.com/event-group/madison-makes/
8. The Virtual 2021 KidWind Challenge is March 6 and registration is open until Feb 5 for middle and high school teams.
Registration information at https://energy.wisc.edu/education/kidwind-challenge
9. School of Pharmacy Outreach Events
January 30, 2021 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CST
This event is tailored to students who plan to apply to our PharmD program for fall ’21 or ’22 admissions. Students will learn how to prepare for a professional school interview, and have the opportunity to practice interviewing with current UW–Madison PharmD students. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom event link and your designated 30-minute time slot.
FEBRUARY 27, 2021 | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM CST
Learn about the many career paths for pharmacists and the exciting field of pharmacy during the UW–Madison Pharmacy Career Exploration Day. This virtual event is designed for those who are interested in exploring the pharmacy field and what you can do with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. The event will feature a pharmacists panel, sessions with current PharmD students, and an overview on clinical training opportunities. Registration is required.
1. Pharmacist Career Overview — Learn about the wide variety of exciting career options within the field of pharmacy.
2. Pharmacist Panel — Get the perspectives of practicing pharmacists about their day to day, and ask your questions during the Q&A.
3. The UW–Madison Advantage — Learn about the unique aspects of the UW–Madison PharmD curriculum that prepares graduates to excel in their desired career path after graduation.
4. Student Breakouts — What is it like to be a pharmacy student at UW–Madison? Learn more during these session led by current PharmD students.
MARCH 13, 2021 | 9:30 AM – 11:45 AM CST
APRIL 10, 2021 | 9:30 AM – 11:45 AM CST
Please join us online for our UW–Madison School of Pharmacy PharmD Spring Open House virtual event, designed for those who are interested in exploring the Doctor of Pharmacy program at UW–Madison. These events will feature an Admissions Q&A, PharmD student panel, and overview of the curriculum and co-curricular opportunities. Registration is required.
1. Curriculum and Experiential Learning — Find out how our curriculum and experiential learning opportunities help differentiate our students through specialization.
2. Opportunities for Co-Curricular Learning — Learn about student orgs and co-curricular activities that can enhance PharmD students’ development and preparation for career success.
3. Admissions Overview — Join this session to learn more about the PharmD admissions process, application timeline, prerequisites, and the selection criteria.
4. Student Panel — What is it like to be a pharmacy student at UW–Madison? Learn more during this Q&A with current students.
10. Job Opening. Oregon State University, Oregon’s land grant university enrolling over 33,000 students, is seeking a director of Precollege Programs (PCP). Housed in the Office of Enrollment Management, PCP takes leadership in creating and fostering college connections to K-12 students throughout the state, providing programs in areas such as STEM, TAG, and Science Discovery; mentoring via Beaver Hangouts and Family and Science Engineering Nights; and events that bring OSU to students, and students to OSU, throughout the summer and school year.
The Director should have a commitment to educational equity, improving college access and opportunity for K-12 students, and should have at least three years of experience in management responsibilities such as supervision of diverse programs, developing partnerships, and must be familiar with securing and managing external sources of funding, including state and federal grants. A Master’s degree is required, preferably in STEM or an education discipline, and a doctoral degree is preferred.
A complete job description, including details about how to apply, can be found herehttps://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/96969 Review of applications will begin in mid-February, and the job will remain open until filled. Anticipated start time is June 1, 2021, but is negotiable.
OSU is an AA/EOE/Vets/Disabled.
· OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.
The Director should have a commitment to educational equity, improving college access and opportunity for K-12 students, and should have at least three years of experience in management responsibilities such as supervision of diverse programs, developing partnerships, and must be familiar with securing and managing external sources of funding, including state and federal grants. A Master’s degree is required, preferably in STEM or an education discipline, and a doctoral degree is preferred.
A complete job description, including details about how to apply, can be found herehttps://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/96969 Review of applications will begin in mid-February, and the job will remain open until filled. Anticipated start time is June 1, 2021, but is negotiable.
OSU is an AA/EOE/Vets/Disabled.
· OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.
11. Wonders of Physics Goes Online for 2021
After 37 years of physics presentations to the public, The University of Wisconsin – Madison is this year sponsoring a physics video competition for teachers and students.
We invite you to submit a 2-minute video demonstrating a physics concept. Awards will be given for the best videos, and winners will be posted on our website and edited into a longer video to be shown on public television.
We encourage submissions from students and teams, but for legal reasons, anyone under the age of 18 must work under the supervision of a parent, guardian, or teacher who will submit the video on their behalf. This could be a fun educational project for families or for physics classes during this period of social distancing.
The deadline for submissions is June 30, 2021. You can find more information at https://wonders.physics.wisc.edu/contest/.
12. Microscopes for Schools
ZEISS has launched a granting program to give away microscopes throughout the school year of 2021 to K-12 schools in districts who are interested in incorporating digital microscopy into their lesson plans in the coming year. With your local outreach leadership, I thought you may be interested in case there are people you think could benefit and would want to apply.
Anyone interested can find out more information and apply here: https://www.zeiss.com/microscopy/us/local/scopes-grant.html?vaURL=www.zeiss.com/scopesgrant
Additionally, please let me know if there are any upcoming activities that ZEISS can support. We’ve been participating in science outreach online events by either providing demo digital microscopy equipment for events or presentations from our team.
Best regards
Kimberly Toops PhD
Account Manager
ZEISS Research Microscopy Solutions