CALS Connection | Science images are cool, outstanding sophomores, summer campaign

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May 2018

Bacteriology Fields Cool Science Image Contest Winner

Caitlin Carlson, a research specialist in the bacteriology department, was one of 10 UW-Madison faculty, staff, and students to be named a winner of UW-Madison's 2018 Cool Science Image Contest.

Carlson's winning photo shows bacteria colonies cultured from a Costa Rican parasitoid wasp. The bacteria were prospects in her search for new antimicrobial compounds.

A panel of eight experienced artists and scientists, including genetics professor Ahna Skop, judged the scientific content and aesthetic and creative qualities of 171 images and videos, a record number of entries for the eighth annual competition. Read more.

Double Your Impact on CALS

This spring, every gift to the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) will have twice the impact: your gift -- of any size -- to the CALS Fund will be matched by a generous anonymous donor, dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000.

Please consider contributing to the CALS Fund to support exciting pilot programs, faculty retention, research, and innovation. Most importantly, you'll ensure that our signature out-of-classroom experiences continue to prepare students for the future -- and ultimately benefit us all. So double up on your CALS pride!

Why, Eggs-actly, Are These Things Different Colors?

When a Madison elementary school student posed the question, "Why do chickens lay different-colored eggs?" the Blue Sky Science team's search for answers led them to Ron Kean, faculty associate in the Department of Animal Sciences and UW-Extension poultry specialist.

Turns out the reasons can be found mostly in the genes. Watch the video to learn more.

WALSAA Recognizes Outstanding Sophomores

The Wisconsin Agricultural and Life Sciences Alumni Association (WALSAA) recently named its Top 10 Outstanding Sophomores following a rigorous prescreening and interview process focused on academic achievement, campus involvement and leadership, community service, and relevant experience.

Each student received a $2,000 scholarship from WALSAA. The awardees are Dhanya Attipetty (biology), Samantha Busch (biochemistry), Emily Matzke (animal sciences), Grace Padgett (biochemistry), Jinal Lal Patel (microbiology), Abby Rothering (biology), Anna Schmidt (biology and environmental sciences), Jessica Strosahl (dietetics), Brooke Trustem (dairy science), and Anna Walther (community and environmental sociology). Congratulations all!

'We All Own This Challenge'

Years ago, biochemistry and genetics professor Michael Sussman and former Gov. Tommy G. Thompson bonded over their belief in the Wisconsin Idea. Now, in their co-authored column, they outline the components of a new Wisconsin Idea, one that can position the state to lead again in economic development, innovation, environmental protection, and workforce training.

"We must recognize that we all own this challenge," they write. "The new Wisconsin Idea must begin by reexamining how we engage with each other -- our universities with industry and industry with our universities."

Boundless Together: Badger of All Trades

Jean Krohn Doell earned her Spanish degree from UW-Madison in 1968 and began her career as a teacher. Though she's not a CALS grad, her life quickly took a turn toward the world of dairy.

In the 1970s, she began working as a bookkeeper on the side for the family cheese-production business, Krohn Dairy Products, in Kewaunee County. When her father retired in 1978, Doell, her husband, and two brothers took over the firm's ownership, and she served as its office manager until the sale of the company in 2000. And UW-Madison was a big part of the firm's success, she says.

"We profited greatly from the research and guidance the Center for Dairy Research gave us," she explains. "We also had employees take short courses there, and my brother and son went through the master cheesemaker program."