Author: riverabonet

Waisman investigator Xinyu Zhao receives grant from the Eagles Autism Foundation

The Waisman Center celebrates the selection of Xinyu Zhao, PhD, a principal investigator renowned for her work in neural stem cells and neurodevelopment, as one of the esteemed recipients of a 2025 Eagles Autism Foundation research grant.

Tribute to Frank L. Siegel, PhD

The emeritus professor of pediatrics and biomolecular chemistry passed away on January 1, 2026 at the age of 93.

James Li receives Vilas Associates Award

James Li, PhD, Waisman Center investigator and A.A. Alexander Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, has been selected to receive a Vilas Associates Award.

The newly funded Autism Research Consortium seeks to accelerate timely access to care for autistic individuals

Researchers at the Waisman Center’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) were recently awarded a grant from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) to support research to improve the health and well-being of children and youth with autism.

The Baby Badger Network seeks to make genetic testing more accessible to critically-ill newborns throughout Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, a new initiative is transforming the landscape of neonatal care by making genetic testing more accessible for critically-ill newborns.

CDC reports rising autism rates with Wisconsin notably higher than the national average

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among 8-year-old children in the U.S. has increased to 1 in 31 in 2022, up from 1 in 36 in 2020, according to a recently published report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network.

¡A movernos!: La actividad física puede ser desafiante, pero muy beneficiosa para las personas con discapacidades del desarrollo; algunas modificaciones pueden ayudar

Dicen que el movimiento es medicina y si bien la actividad física tiene tantos beneficios para todos, ¿qué haces cuando moverte es un desafío? Para algunos el desafío es el tiempo, para otros la motivación, pero para las personas con discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo (IDD, por sus siglas en inglés) existen muchas barreras que pueden hacer que la actividad física sea un poco más difícil de lograr.

Let’s get moving: physical activity can be challenging but highly beneficial for individuals with developmental disabilities, a few modifications may help

Español By Charlene N. Rivera-Bonet | Waisman Science Writer The researchers interviewed for this story use identity-first language in alignment with the preferences of many of those in the autistic community. This story reflects that preference. A non-exhaustive list of accessible options for physical activities in the Madison area are provided at the end. They say …

14 Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowship recipients at Waisman

14 undergraduate students from the labs of Waisman Center investigators and affiliates were awarded the Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowship, which includes a stipend for students and for their research advisors. Students will have the opportunity to work on their own research project in collaboration with their faculty advisor. Congratulations to award recipients: Evelyn Anton (Margarita …

Researcher clinicians help bridge the gap between scientific discovery and medical care – Part 2

There is no one “typical” type of researcher clinician. There are differences in training, percentage of focus on research vs clinic, and type of research done. Many also carry teaching and administrative responsibilities on top of their already demanding positions.