UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater – February 22, 2021

UW-Madison Science Alliance Updater
22 February 2021  
 
Hi Everyone,
 
A year from today we’ll be marking the Day of Deuces:  2/22/22.  
 
It seems everything else in in our national crystal ball is coming up 8’s.  Therefore, what we lack in clarity of prescience let us make up for with audacity in science.  Let me offer these projections:
 
1. I expect that in a year we’ll be back to welcoming the public onto campus and into our buildings, auditoriums and classrooms for in-person programs.  
 
2. I hope we’ll continue moving forward with engaging the public in their homes, in their schools & afterschools, in their community centers, on their farms and in their offices, using with increasing effect the astonishing new array of online video platforms. 
 
3. Along with the virtual, I look forward to the reality of invoking both Jack Kerouac and Willie Nelson and getting back on the road again to go visit folks in their communities.
 
In the meantime, in the coming weeks many of us will be connecting with learners by zoom, while also working with colleagues to build an outstanding UW Science Expeditions Open House April 9-11.
 
As for the pandemic, I’m also looking forward to getting whichever covid vaccine is first dangled in front of me.  I will be exercising my right to bare arms:  I’m gonna take my shot with one and take a booster with the other.  As my immunology professor noted long ago, it’s easier to be a virus fighter when you’ve got an anti-virus titer.
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, including February 22. 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/.   
 
The draft agenda for Monday, February 22 at 10am includes:
 
 
2.  Please invite your colleagues in research & outreach to participate in the 
2021 UW Science Expeditions Open House on April 9, 10 and 11.
 
-Exploration Stations: online, live or recorded.  
-Online Tours of Destinations for Explorations.  
-Science Spectaculars. 
-Outdoor Events in Person or Online.
 
3.  Programming Events coming this week and soon:
  • The UW Now Livestream.  Tuesday February 23 at 7pm CST.  “COVID-19 Treatments, Vaccines, and Variants” featuring William Hartman, principal investigator for the UW COVID-19 convalescent plasma program; Nasia Safdar, medical director of Infection Control at UW Hospital and Clinics; and Jonathan Temte, associate dean for public health and community engagement at the School of Medicine and Public Health.
  • “Wednesday Nite @ The Lab” public science seminar, by Zoom.  Wednesdays at 7 pm CT.  Every Wednesday night, 50 times a year.   Rebecca Hutcheson, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, “Making the Virus Causing Covid-19 Safe for Research.”
 

4.  Upcoming Lineup for Wednesday Nite @ The Lab online by zoom starting at 7pm Central.  
Schedule and descriptions at https://science.wisc.edu/wednesday-nite-at-the-lab/

Feb 24  Rebecca Hutcheson, McArdle Laboratory of Cancer Research.  “Making the Virus Causing COVID-19 Safe for Research.” Register at https://go.wisc.edu/240r59
 
March 3  Adrian Treves, Nelson Institute. “Wolf Policy and Its Effects on Illegal Killing, Human Tolerance, and Recovery” Register at https://go.wisc.edu/240r59
March 10  Kerri Coon, Bacteriology.  “Why Mosquitoes Love You (and Other Things You Never Knew about Mosquitoes and Their Microbiome)” Register at https://go.wisc.edu/240r59
March 17  Corinna Burger, Neurology.  “Use It or Lose It: the Role of Environmental Enrichment in Cognitive Aging” Register at https://go.wisc.edu/240r59
 
 
5.  The Arboretum Lectures and Classes
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). Note: the Winter Enrichment lectures are free to students and that link is also on the website.  We’d love students to participate! Winter Enrichment online registration form»

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 VIRTUAL CLASSES

 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” 

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. Register online»

6.  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. 

 
 
7.  The Wisconsin Energy Institute’s Virtual 2021 KidWind Challenge is March 6.
 
KidWinds’ “Careers in Wind Energy Panel”
Saturday, March 6th, 2021 – 10:00am CST
Learn more and register here.

Or live at Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/events/1313793578989659
Wind Energy is expanding in Wisconsin and across the United States, and with that growth comes a massive demand for workers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Wind Turbine Technician is the fastest growing occupation, but employment opportunities in the industry reach beyond the wind farm. From manufacturing to research, communications to construction, job opportunities exist across a wide variety of interests and skill sets.

Join this panel discussion to hear from folks working in the wind energy industry. Learn about their career pathways, hear stories from the field, and get your questions answered!

Moderator

• Samara Hamze, Energy Education Specialist, WI K-12 Energy Education Program, UW–Stevens Point

 
Speakers

• Justin Barrett, Wind Energy Technology instructor at Lakeshore Technical College
• Vanessa Tutos, Director of Governmental Affairs, EDP Renewables North America LLC
• Joe Brunner, Senior Staff Engineer at Invenergy
• Heidi Tinnesand, Mechanical Engineering Researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

 

KidWinds’ “Wind Energy Fact Check!”  Saturday, March 6th, 2021 – 3:00pm CST
Learn more and register here   

Or live at Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/events/177202930859504
Wind energy is quickly becoming mainstream across the United States, supplying about 7 percent of the country’s electricity in 2019 (and more than 40 percent in some states!). Yet for those who are less familiar with wind energy, there may be some misconceptions about wind turbines’ impact to the surrounding environment and community. Join us to hear from a panel of experts as they address some common concerns and discuss what is known about wind energy’s true impact on the economy, health, and the environment. 

Moderator

• Scott Williams, Research and Education Coordinator, Wisconsin Energy Institute, UW–Madison

 
Speakers

• Jim Tinjum, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UW–Madison
• Sarah Johnston, Assistant Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics, UW–Madison
• Mark Werner, Director, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services

 

Allison Bender 

Outreach Coordinator
Wisconsin Energy Institute | Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center
608.890.0946   (I’m working from home. Please use 608-931-3358)
agbender@wisc.edu
1552 University Ave, Madison WI, Room 2160
University of Wisconsin – Madison
(she, her, hers)

 
 
8. School of Pharmacy Outreach Events

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.
 
 
9.  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/.

 
10.  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
 
11.  Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers is sponsoring the “Wisconsin Water Week Essay Contest” with levels at grades PK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12.  Entries are due on April 1.
 
12.  The Holtz Center for Science and Technology Studies is excited to invite you and your STS colleagues to four virtual events that we are co-hosting this spring – “Science and Technology in the Hispanic World” – a special seminar series prepared in collaboration between the Holtz Center and Latin American, Caribbean and Iberian Studies Program. The first event is scheduled for Tuesday, February 2 at noon CST.


How does global science and technology affect Hispanic societies and ecosystems? How does cultural inheritance of hispanic societies inform citizens’ attitudes towards science driven technological projects? How do science and technology from the North mobilize indigenous science to resist undesired transformations? What are the culturally specific debates and conflicts that emerge in various local contexts where science and technology bring changes? This series features renown scholars and activists to introduce us to science and technology driven social debates in Spain, Mexico, Paraguay and Nicaragua.

More information and access details will be provided as each event approaches.

Tuesday, February 23, 12-1 pm, via Zoom

Mexico:   Robin Canul: “Perspectives of development in Yucatán Península”.
Event details


Tuesday, March 23, 12-1 pm, via Zoom

Paraguay:   Kregg Hetherington: “Agribiopolitics: Plants and humans in the age of monocrops in Paraguay”
Event details


Tuesday, April 20, 12-1 pm, via Zoom

Nicaragua:   Birgit Muller “Facing the Environmental Mission: Small Farmers in Nicaragua and the Agro-Ecological Challenges of the Neoliberal Food Regime”

Jamie Adcock
Communications Specialist
University of Wisconsin-Madison
The Holtz Center for Science & Technology Studies
sts.wisc.edu @HoltzCenter 
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