Advancing knowledge of human development, developmental disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Waisman Center investigators Seth Pollak and Kristin Shutts are among the forty-two UW–Madison faculty to be awarded fellowships from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) for 2026-2027. Click here for the full story.
At a Glance: Understanding what a cell does starts with knowing exactly where it is. Now, a new AI-powered tool developed by researchers at the Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, is making that task easier by combining tissue images with molecular activity data to more accurately map cell boundaries, potentially unlocking new insights into how …
At a Glance: Postdoctoral fellowships occupy an unusual space between being a graduate student and becoming an independent scholar. The postdoc stage is marked by a focus on refining research skills, expanding their knowledge-base, and developing key professional development skills (e.g., grant writing) needed to be an independent scientist. It can feel at times, like …
After more than two decades of advocacy, collaboration, and compassionate support for families of children with hearing differences, Connie Stevens, MA, retired at the end of June 2026. A veteran support parent with Parents Reaching Out, a longtime collaborator with Wisconsin Sound Beginnings, and trusted voice for families across the state, Stevens leaves behind a legacy defined by connection, empathy, and impact.
Science is not static. It constantly grows through curiosity, experimentation, and the continuous pursuit of new knowledge. Every question asked, every experiment conducted, and every discovery made build upon what came before it—moving science forward step by step. Students play a critical role in that process. They are not passive learners observing from the sidelines, but active contributors to research.
FLAG Rounds were developed by Coleman and Danielle Gerber to use family faculty, or family members of children with complex medical needs as lecturers, and storytelling as a strategy to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitude in medical students and providers to dismantle ableism in pediatric care and partner with families in the care of their children.
Link to the original article. The UW–Madison Postdoctoral Association recognized six postdocs and three faculty with Postdoc Excellence Awards to acknowledge their excellence in mentoring, teaching, and service. The association, a volunteer-led advocacy group for UW–Madison postdocs supported by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, launched the Postdoc Excellence Awards in 2021 to reward postdocs for …
Individuals with Down syndrome have a 90% lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
For many, talking is as easy as breathing. A few words to tell your friend that you are hungry and ready for lunch. A long rant to your partner about frustrations at work. A description of what hurts to your doctor. A quiet, ‘I love you,’ to a close family member. Being able to talk helps to make communicating efficient and effective. But not everyone has access to speech.
The Pandemic Cancelled It, and They Never Brought It Back takes readers into the daily lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities during the COVID‑19 pandemic, using their own photographs and words to reveal moments of loss, adaptation, resilience, and connection. Created by researchers at the Waisman Center, the book offers an intimate portrait of a community whose experiences are too often overlooked.
