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Wisconet supports the farms of tomorrow
Wisconet staff members Mikaela Martiros, left, and Caitlin Wienkes install a temperature and humidity sensor on a new weather station near Plymouth, Wis.
Photo by Michael P. King/UW–Madison CALS
UW's Wisconet, or Wisconsin’s Environmental Mesonet, is a network of stations around the state that provides accurate, timely data that guides farmers' decisions on irrigation and planting, among other things.
From the article: “What excites me the most is being able to have set something up that hopefully remains and creates a legacy and that we never go back to the way things were because it was long overdue,” — agronomy professor Chris Kucharik
UW for You
New uses for self-driving vehicles in rural areas
UW–Madison engineers are leading a first-of-its-kind research center devoted to advancing autonomous vehicles in rural and tribal communities. Rural areas have limited public transit, but the researchers will explore if autonomous buses or robotaxis can help people access health care or commute to work.
Measuring UW–Madison's impact
Across Wisconsin, UW–Madison is making a significant impact on our students, communities, health care and workforce, according to the latest available data from the Wisconsin Idea Database. The project, which highlights connections between UW–Madison and the state of Wisconsin, outlines county and statewide enrollment trends, alumni counts, community partnerships and projects, financial relationships and more.
Partnership to improve rural health care in Wisconsin
The Orion Initiative brings together frontline rural providers and the academic medical community to improve rural health care. Initial focus areas include pediatric EMS training, primary care physician recruitment and subspecialty training.
A new home for the humanities
With more than $70 million in deferred maintenance and growing structural issues, the Humanities Building is no longer meeting campus needs. As state budget discussions continue, UW–Madison is pushing for a replacement that would better support future programs and the students and faculty behind them.
The Cheat Sheet
Two of the world’s leading dementia researchers are joining UW to identify what might be the earliest signs of cognitive decline. ● Cookbook shares recipes from scientists from around the world. ● Memories of Camp Randall's unforgettable concerts. New promising technique for treating osteoarthritis, which causes joint pain and limits mobility. ● AI turns crowd inputs into fashion retail success. ● New Wisconsin Alumni Association resources help alumni keep up with the changing federal landscape. ● A new flight simulator lifts off at UW engineering. ● Federally supported work at UW–Madison keeps the state’s water healthy and industries strong. ● Five fascinating facets of the indigenous "Three Sisters" cropping method. ● Creating new, free educational learning games. ● Brigadier General Andrew Clark ’95 returned to campus to show UW cadets how high they can fly.
Were U Wondering?
Can a vaccine treat cancer?
Led by pharmacy professor Quanyin Hu, a UW research team is developing personalized vaccines to help keep aggressive tumors from recurring. The approach could theoretically apply to any cancer that tends to recur, such as pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma, the most common and extremely aggressive brain tumor.
Can't Stop a Badger
Professor Jean-Michel Ané works to make crops like corn, sorghum and soybeans more effective and resilient to environmental stressors like heat, drought and salinity by strengthening their symbiotic associations with beneficial microbes, like bacteria or fungi. However, federal funding changes threaten this type of agricultural research.
Dr. Michael Kim, pediatric EMS medical director for the UW Health EMS Consortium, works closely with emergency medical services throughout Dane County and beyond to ensure first responders are trained, equipped and confident in treating critically ill and injured children — from roadside to hospital hand-off.
Dr. Yao Liu, an associate professor of ophthalmology, started a teleopththalmology screening program at the UW Health's Mile Bluff Medical Center in Mauston to detect diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness. Now it's been expanded to 12 other rural clinics around the country, including two in Wisconsin.
Coming Up
Universe in the Park events
Statewide | Throughout summer 2025
UW astronomers will give talks and slide shows at state parks throughout Wisconsin during the summer camping season, answering questions and letting the general public view astronomical objects through telescopes. They'll be everywhere from Big Bay State Park in La Pointe to Perrot State Park in Trempealeau.
Family Day at the Chazen: Assemblage
Madison | July 11 | 6 p.m.
Visit the Chazen Museum of Art for a hands-on event designed for visitors of all ages. Create your own piece of assemblage artwork as you transform ordinary objects and supplies into unique compositions. You can also take a journey through the museum to view assemblages from artists.
Picture This
What’s it like to do all those push-ups, perform crowd-pleasing skits, horse around with fans and lead the Fifth Quarter fun, all in front of 80,000 people? It’s a joy, say the eight students who perform as Bucky Badger. “Your only job is to be a giant magnet of love,” says Cecil, a third-year Bucky.
