Dr. Nancy Keller was recently featured on the Larry Miller podcast, where she joined fellow UW–Madison professor Anne Pringle to discuss the dangers of the invasive death cap mushroom. One of the most poisonous fungi in the world, the death cap has been found in Wisconsin, raising concerns for foragers and outdoor enthusiasts. In the …
The Wisconsin Academy announced sixteen Wisconsinites who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to intellectual discourse and public service to receive the 2026 Fellows Awards. The Wisconsin Academy Fellows Award recognizes educators, researchers, mentors, artists, and civic or business leaders from across Wisconsin who have made significant accomplishments in their fields and substantial contributions to the …
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 …