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 research funding over a three-year period (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2028) to support research, publications, and scholarly activities.
Dr. Hryckowian’s research explores the molecular and genetic foundations of gut microbiome dynamics—how microbial communities in the gut interact, adapt, and influence human health. His lab works to uncover the mechanisms behind “problematic” microbial communities that can lead to or worsen gastrointestinal infectious diseases.
Using a combination of in vitro and in vivo approaches, including gnotobiotic and conventional mouse models, Dr. Hryckowian and his team investigate how microbial communities change under different conditions. Collaborations with clinicians at UW Health help translate these discoveries into potential clinical applications, bridging basic microbiology and patient care.
The Vilas Faculty Early-Career Investigator Award will enable Dr. Hryckowian to continue advancing this critical research, contributing to a deeper understanding of the microbiome and its role in health and disease.