University of Wisconsin - Madison
In February 2026, the American Academy of Microbiology announced the election of 63 new Fellows to its Class of 2026. The Academy, an honorific leadership group and scientific think tank within the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), selects Fellows through a highly competitive, peer-reviewed process that recognizes scientific excellence and significant contributions to the microbial …
The Changing Chemistry of Invasive Death Cap Mushrooms University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers just released a groundbreaking study on the same mushrooms behind an uptick in poisonings in California. by LYDIA PICOTTE | FEBRUARY 11, 2026 The California Department of Public Health reported 39 related poisonings in the last three months leading to the death of four people, …
A recent publication in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science highlights innovative work on alternative approaches to treating bacterial infections using free-living amoebae. The study demonstrates that thermotolerant dictyostelids are avirulent and do not cause keratitis in a mouse model, supporting their potential therapeutic use. We are proud to note that Professor Curtis Brandt, a professor in the …
Professor JD Sauer has been selected as a Vilas Associate, a prestigious award that recognizes new and ongoing research of the highest quality and significance. The Vilas Associates Competition is highly competitive, with recipients chosen by divisional Research Committees based on the strength and impact of a detailed research proposal. As a Vilas Associate, Sauer …
Postdoc Zhenyu Zhang recently published a high-profile paper in Nature Communications (December 2025). The study was a highly collaborative effort involving multiple students and postdocs in the Andrew Mehle lab, along with research partners at Fort Detrick and Johns Hopkins, highlighting the strength of cross-institutional teamwork behind the work
Supporting the Future of Health Research: Wisconsin Partnership Program Awards a Record 17 Postdoctoral Grants Given the current funding landscape, the Wisconsin Partnership Program (WPP) at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) is pleased to announce its enhanced and continued commitment to grow the next generation of promising scientists through …
The Mark Mandel Lab is featured in the Fall 2025 issue of Microcosm, the flagship magazine of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). The article, “Shedding Light on the Vibrio–Squid Symbiosis,” written by Jennifer Tran, PhD, highlights the lab’s cutting-edge work on the luminous partnership between Vibrio bacteria and their squid hosts. This feature coincides with the launch of ASM’s new journal, Animal …
The Microbiology Society has announced the recipients of its 2026 Prizes, honoring individuals whose outstanding contributions continue to advance the field of microbiology. These awards—nominated and selected by members—will be formally presented at the Society’s Annual Conference 2026, taking place in Belfast from 13–16 April. Prize winners will also deliver their prestigious Prize Lectures during …
The University of Wisconsin–Madison has announced that Dr. Andrew Hryckowian, assistant professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, has been selected to receive a Vilas Faculty Early-Career Investigator Award. This prestigious honor recognizes outstanding early-career faculty members who have demonstrated exceptional research accomplishments and show great promise for continued scholarly excellence. The award provides $60,000 in flexible …
Spotlight on Collaborative Health Science: Dr. Jeniel Nett Leads Innovative Research to Combat Catheter-Related Infections The Wisconsin Partnership Program (WPP) at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health has awarded $3.6 million through its Collaborative Health Sciences Grant Program, supporting six interdisciplinary research teams tackling some of today’s most pressing health challenges. Among the funded projects is …
The Computational Modeling in Biology Network (COMBINE) brings together experts to advance community standards and data formats in systems biology and related fields. We’re excited to share that COMBINE 2025 will be a workshop-style event hosted at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, with Dr. Elebeoba E. May and colleagues serving as local organizers. Location: The Pyle …
Congratulations to the May Lab! The May Lab has published a new paper in MDPI Microorganisms titled “Methods for Evaluating the Effects of 2D and 3D Culture Environment on Macrophage Response to Mycobacterium Infection.” Led by Danielle Stolley, Komal Rasaputra, and Dr. Elebeoba May, this study establishes experimental and computational methods to compare macrophage behavior …