Author: lrrowley

Autism study finds genetic mutation poor indicator

David Wargowski, MD, a clinical geneticist in the Waisman Center Medical Genetics Clinic, discusses a new autism study in the journal Nature that examines the genetic variance of family members with an autism spectrum disorder.

Laying a foundation for treating ALS, spinal cord injury

This story starts in 1955, upon the death of Albert Einstein, when the pathologist charged with performing the famous scientist’s autopsy stole his brain. Fast forward to the 1980s when a University of California, Berkeley scientist was studying parts of the stolen goods involved in complex thinking and discovered that the father of relativity had more of certain types of cells, called astrocytes, than other human brains studied.

Hearing research at the Waisman Center

More than 278 million people are affected by hearing loss caused by damaged hair cells in the inner ear that process sound to the brain. Waisman Center scientists work to research novel treatments and therapies for individuals with hearing loss that include stem cell research and cochlear implants.

Living lab introduces the public to research on campus

Subtle interactions that demonstrate power, both verbal and nonverbal, take place in a child’s environment every day, and one UW researcher wants to know if children are actually paying attention. Through scripted scenarios geared to depict social hierarchy, assistant professor and Waisman Center investigator Kristin Shutts explored how children are sensitive to their social environment …

Autism symptoms often missed in brief clinical appointments

MADISON–In the current issue of Pediatrics, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison clinical psychologist Megan Farley and colleagues share important insights in the paper “Identifying autism in a brief observation,” which examines how brief clinical appointments are often not long enough to determine if a child has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or even if a …

Waisman Center Postdoctoral Training Program

With support from the National Institutes of Health, the Waisman Center Postdoctoral Training Program in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities prepares the next generation of scientists who will investigate the causes, consequences and treatments of some of human health’s most complex conditions.

Waisman Center staff receive professional development grants

Congratulations to the Waisman Center’s Marcella Andrews and Parul Trivedi, two recipients of UW-Madison’s spring 2015 Academic Staff Professional Development grants. In all, seven grants will be awarded to UW-Madison academic staff members.

2014: The Waisman Center’s year-end round up

We have much to celebrate in 2014— a year that marked exciting advancements and important innovations in the Waisman Center’s research and treatment of developmental disabilities and neurodegenerative diseases. Here are some highlights from the last year. Autism – Our investigators and clinicians’ work on autism brought awareness and hope as more teens than ever …

Video: Commemorating Kennedy’s Waisman connection

Fifty-one years ago today, President John F. Kennedy sent a telegram to Harry Waisman congratulating him on the dedication of the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Laboratories. Two days later, the president was dead. Marsha Mailick recounts the connection between the Kennedys and what would become the Waisman Center.

Mei Baker receives national newborn screening award

Mei Baker, MD, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) Newborn Screening Laboratory co-director and University of Wisconsin associate professor of pediatrics, received the Harry Hannon Laboratory Improvement Award in Newborn Screening from the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) earlier this month at the National Newborn Screening and Genetics Symposium. The award is named after Dr. Harry Hannon, the long-time director …