Friends of the Waisman Center Annual Awards

Jie Sheng
Jie is a doctoral student in biomedical data science who was nominated for this fellowship by Daifeng Wang for her work in his lab. As part of her nomination Daifeng mentions Jie’s exceptional contributions to computational neuroscience and her innovative use of machine learning and artificial intelligence to advance brain research. Jie has played a critical role in numerous collaborative projects across the Waisman Center, contributing to high-impact publications and developing novel computational methods to better understand brain development and disease. Her groundbreaking work led to the creation of VAPOR, a computational framework that uncovers complex cellular gene expression dynamics and has shown promise across multiple large-scale neuroscience datasets. Jie’s research exemplifies the collaborative and interdisciplinary spirit of the Waisman Center. She has worked closely with investigators across the Center, contributing her expertise to studies in neurodevelopment, Down syndrome, and brain disorders, while helping advance federally-funded research initiatives. Daifeng states in his nomination that Jie has demonstrated “strong computational and statistical skills, high motivation, and responsibility,” and has consistently identified innovative solutions to complex scientific challenges. He further describes her as “a great team player” whose “productivity, proactivity, strong work ethic, and passion” position her for a successful career as a biomedical data scientist and concludes that Jie has “proven her ability and demonstrated her potential to be a successful researcher,” making her an outstanding recipient of this honor.

Monica Duran
Monica Duran, is an MD/PhD student working in the lab of Brittany Travers who nominated her for this fellowship. Monica’s dissertation will use MRI and tractography to delineate key dopaminergic and noradrenergic brain circuits in autistic and non-autistic children. The completion of this work will help reveal the neurotransmitter and neurobiological basis of autism spectrum during development, which could help inform psychotropic medication usage in children. Travers stated in her nomination that Monica has proven herself to be a productive and outstanding clinician scientist with a commitment to community-informed autism research. Travers mentions that Monica has built an impressive record of achievement, contributing to multiple publications, presenting award-winning research at national conferences, and leading innovative dissertation work. Beyond her research accomplishments, Monica has made a meaningful impact on the Waisman Center community. She has been an active member of the Morse Society and has played a key role in expanding engagement with Spanish-speaking families by preparing materials and leading community advisory board meetings in Spanish. Travers writes in her nomination, “Monica’s passion for doing community-informed science that helps the intellectual and developmental disability community is unparalleled,” and notes that Monica is “truly representative of the Waisman Center’s central mission.” Travers further describes Monica as “an outstanding trainee who is ideally suited for this prestigious fellowship,” whose work has already made “an important impact on the field, the Waisman Center, and the Madison community.”

Zhiyan Xu
Zhiyan is a doctoral candidate in cellular and molecular biology and was nominated for this award for his promising work in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders in the lab of Xinyu Zhao. In the Zhao lab, Zhiyan studies the developmental timing of fragile X syndrome and is exploring innovative approaches, including multi-omics and advanced 3D brain imaging, to better understand how the loss of FMRP affects brain development. His work has already earned a competitive FRAXA Foundation predoctoral fellowship and is helping advance new directions in fragile X research. In addition to his scientific accomplishments, Zhiyan is known for his collaborative spirit, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to learning. He has contributed to multiple interdisciplinary projects, mentored undergraduate and high school students, and helped support the work of fellow trainees across the Waisman Center. In her nomination letter Xinyu writes, “I considered Zhiyan as one of the best PhD students I have known in my career,” and describes him as “one of the most hardworking graduate student I have known and further notes that Zhiyan possesses “genuine passion for research” and is among the “top 5” graduate students she has supervised in more than two decades as a faculty member. Through his determination, innovative thinking, and commitment to scientific discovery, Zhiyan exemplifies the excellence and impact celebrated by this award.

Kellie Collins
Kellie is a doctoral student in clinical investigation who works in Bernadette Gillick’s Pediatric Neuromodulation lab at the Waisman Center. She was nominated for this award by Bernadette for her outstanding research and commitment to improving outcomes for infants at risk for cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities. Kellie’s research in the Gillick lab investigates how early brain development relates to infant motor function by combining advanced neuroimaging, neuromodulation, and movement assessment techniques. Her work, conducted through the NIH-funded Baby Brain Recovery Study, aims to advance earlier identification, prognosis, and intervention for infants and their families while addressing critical questions in developmental neuroscience.  Beyond her research accomplishments, Bernadette highlights Kellie’s family-centered approach and her leadership. A board-certified pediatric physical therapist, she brings valuable clinical insight to her research while mentoring students, supporting interdisciplinary collaborations, and contributing to education and outreach efforts across campus. In her nomination letter Bernadette writes that Kellie’s work is “closely aligned with the mission of the Waisman Center” and praises her “deep appreciation for the lived experiences of the children and caregivers who participate in research and clinical care.” She further notes that Kellie “brings a rare combination of strengths to graduate research” and “exemplifies the kind of graduate student this award is meant to recognize,” citing her exceptional scholarship, collaborative leadership, and dedication to research that directly improves the lives of children with developmental disabilities and their families.

Grace Benish
Grace is an undergraduate student majoring in neuroscience who works in the lab of Andre Sousa. She has been a part of Andre’s lab for three years. His lab focuses on identifying and characterizing the molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern human brain development and evolution in order to apply that knowledge toward understanding neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. In his nomination, Andre states that Grace is one of the best undergraduate students he’s ever mentored throughout his career. For her senior honors thesis, Grace is developing new methods to generate specialized inhibitory brain cells, called somatostatin interneurons, from human stem cells. These cells play a critical role in brain function and have implications for understanding neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. Her work has already produced promising results and could provide an important new research tool for scientists studying brain development around the world, with the potential to lead to a first-author scientific publication. Andre praised Grace for her intellectual curiosity, initiative, and ability to perform at the level of a graduate student. Beyond the laboratory, she excels as a student-athlete, hospital volunteer, and mental health advocate, while maintaining an outstanding academic record. Andre states,” I have no doubt that she will continue to excel and will apply the principles of the Wisconsin Idea throughout her career. Therefore, I cannot think of a more deserving applicant for this award.”

Laurie Janutolo
Laurie is a teacher in the Waisman Early Childhood Program. She was nominated for this award by Teresa Hoveland, Kate Szidon, and Devora Ballo. In their nomination they highlight how Laurie has consistently stepped forward to support her colleagues, represent staff perspectives, and help shape key program initiatives. She was the first teacher in the program to adopt the statewide Pyramid Model, an evidence-based approach that supports young children’s social and emotional development, and her classroom has since been recognized as a state-level model of excellence. In recognition of her success, City of Madison leadership selected her classroom as a demonstration site for staff learning and implementation of the Pyramid Model practices. A respected leader and mentor, Laurie is known for her commitment to professional growth, thoughtful use of classroom data, and ability to set meaningful goals that benefit children, families, and fellow educators. She has played an important role in welcoming new leadership, advancing professional learning opportunities, and overseeing nutrition services for the program.

Erin Thomson
Erin is a clinical social worker in the Waisman Center Clinics where she serves as the clinic coordinator for the Autism and Developmental Disabilities and Newborn Follow-up Clinics and the associate director of the DD Area Clinics. She was nominated for this award by Paola Perez who noted in her nomination Erin’s exceptional leadership, strategic problem-solving, and unwavering commitment to the Waisman Center Clinics and her critical role in ensuring clinic operations run smoothly while keeping the needs of patients, families, and staff at the center of every decision. Paola shared a specific example that during the implementation of UW Health’s Specialty Care Redesign, Erin partnered closely with clinic leadership to guide teams through significant operational changes, providing steady leadership, clear communication, and critical problem-solving during a time of uncertainty. Her colleagues consistently turn to her for guidance, support, and insight. Erin is known for balancing innovation with practicality, and for being a trusted collaborator on major clinic initiatives. She helps bridge ideas into sustainable programs that support the Waisman Center’s mission. Whether coordinating across multiple clinics, supporting the Autism Treatment Program during staffing transitions, or helping move new projects from concept to implementation, Erin’s dedication, organizational skills, and human-centered approach make her an invaluable member of the Waisman community and a highly deserving recipient of this award.

Yi-Tang Lee
Yi-Tang is the manager of the Waisman Center’s Human Stem Cell Core, that works to derive and genetically modify human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) for the benefit of stem cell researchers at the Waisman Center, UW-Madison and beyond. The goal of the core is to streamline the very specific and technical process of producing and gene editing hPSCs, allowing scientists to focus their time and resources on the actual application and use of hPSCs in their research. Yi-Tang was nominated for this award by Anita Bhattacharyya. In her nomination she highlights Yi-Tang’s deep knowledge of cutting-edge gene editing technologies, his innovative approach to developing new research methods, and his ability to guide both clients and colleagues through complex scientific projects. As the lead scientist for the core, he collaborates closely with researchers to design experiments, implement protocols, secure grant funding, and train research staff. He is known for his collegiality and problem-solving skills. Anita states that under his leadership, the Human Stem Cell Core has dramatically increased its impact and productivity, more than doubling the number of completed projects in just two years and that he has also expanded the core’s reach by forging new collaborations, including supporting efforts to develop stem cell models for nano-rare genetic disorders and initiating a partnership with the Center for Biomedical Swine Research & Innovation to establish swine stem cells for translational research.

Nancy Alar
Nancy Alar is being recognized with the Friends of the Waisman Center Family Volunteer Award for more than four decades of extraordinary advocacy, partnership, and service to the Waisman Center and the broader disability community. Nominated by Teresa Palumbo, Nancy exemplifies the spirit of family engagement, leadership, and commitment that this award is meant to honor. Nancy’s connection to the Waisman Center began when her son, Matt, who has autism, was part of the very first class of developmentally diverse students in the Waisman Early Childhood Program. Since then, she has been a tireless advocate for individuals with autism and their families, helping to shape more inclusive programs and creating opportunities for families to learn, connect, and thrive. Over the years, Nancy and her family have generously participated in numerous research studies and she has served on the Waisman Center’s Constituent Advisory Committee, contributing her insight and experience to advance the center’s mission. In her nomination, Teresa highlights Nancy’s instrumental role in establishing Waisman Center Day with the Experts: Autism, a program that has become a trusted resource for families and professionals across Wisconsin. As the longtime moderator of the event’s community panel, Nancy has brought together families and self-advocates to share experiences, foster understanding, and build meaningful connections. Her warmth, authenticity, and ability to facilitate honest conversations have made a lasting impact on countless individuals. Known for her compassion, generosity, and willingness to share her family’s journey, Nancy has helped others better understand autism and appreciate what she often describes as being “gloriously autistic.” Through decades of advocacy, volunteerism, and partnership, she has strengthened Waisman programs, informed research, and inspired families, researchers, clinicians, and community members alike. Nancy Alar is a remarkable ambassador for the Waisman Center and a truly deserving recipient of this award.