Illustration by Elena Poiata, Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association

Sunday, May 3, 2020 | go.madison.com/discovery 2 | SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 | WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL UW-MADISON COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE

COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE Curiosity-driven research fuels life-changing discovery at L&S

n late February, I sat down to own research in their own words, About the write an opening piece for this not for the professional peers with interim dean I special section of the Wiscon- whom we are so used to discussing sin State Journal. our work, but in the spirit of the My essay was Wisconsin Idea. Eric M. Wilcots is the interim dean full of pride for my The pieces in this supplement of the College of Letters & Science. College of Letters & were chosen well before the start Prior to assuming that role, Wilcots Science colleagues of the global outbreak of the virus served as deputy dean, charged with and the ways in behind COVID-19 and do not spe- overseeing the college’s efforts on a which they are cifically touch on the pandemic. wide range of initiatives, including working to under- Yet, the underlying principle of inclusivity/diversity, undergraduate ERIC M. education enhancement, research WILCOTS stand and influence curiosity-driven research that how we all think guides the College of Letters & initiatives and research services. about our world. Science, reflected here, also in- He is also the Mary C. Jacoby Profes- The last few months have turned fuses our efforts to understand the sor in the Department of Astronomy, that world upside down. virus, its spread and its impact on which he joined in 1995 and chaired As I write this, the University of society. from 2005-08. Wilcots’ research Wisconsin-Madison has transi- We believe deeply in the impor- focuses on the evolution and environ- tioned all in-person instruction to tance of curiosity-driven research. ment of galaxies and groups in which BRYCE RICHTER, UW-MADISON alternative modes of delivery and My colleagues in L&S seek to un- they reside through the lens of radio I, like my colleagues and many of derstand the natural world we in- College of Letters & Science Interim Dean Eric M. Wilcots shakes a graduate’s wavelengths. you, have been adapting to work- habit, be it the complex functions hand during winter commencement. Wilcots says the college’s faculty ing remotely. We are all facing un- of atoms and molecules, our own members, graduate students and undergraduates are all part of a research In addition to his academic research precedented challenges as a result brains, the lakes and ecosystems enterprise powered by curiosity. and classroom work, he’s won two of this global pandemic. of Wisconsin, or the universe as a teaching awards during his time at As the crisis unfolds, I am whole. craft and share, and the art and our rapid transformation. UW-Madison, including the Chancel- convinced more than ever of the We are compelled to understand music we create, leads to a greater We often see a push for more ap- lor’s Inclusive Excellence Teaching importance of what we do in the how we as humans interact with understanding of who we are as plied research that might have an Award. College of Letters & Science. one another as individuals and as human beings. immediate impact on society. And DISCOVER MORE What you will find in this “Fuel- societies, and how these interac- As technology has changed our this remains important. „ go.wisc.edu/ls ing Discovery” supplement to tions have changed over the course world, including the availability of Yet, the profound importance the Wisconsin State Journal is a of human history. massive amounts of data and the of curiosity-driven research is discoveries made years, decades or celebration of research – the act of Our college’s research is also need for ever-greater computing its impact on future generations. even centuries ago. discovering – that happens every inspired by thinking about our power, we see not only the value of The knowledge, technology and By fueling discovery today, we day in the college. political systems, our histories and curiosity-driven research, but also understanding we sometimes are investing in our futures, in our We asked faculty from across our cultures. of research inspired by an obliga- take for granted today are rooted children and in the world they will the college to write about their Understanding the stories we tion to understand the nature of in curiosity-driven research and inherit. INDEX OF CONTRIBUTORS ABOUT THE SECTION Eric M. Wilcots Rebekah Pryor Paré Marzena Rostek Autumn Kent “Fueling Discovery” is a joint effort of the UW-Madison College of College of Letters College of Letters & Department of Economics Department of Mathematics Letters & Science and the Wisconsin State Journal. No taxpayer dol- & Science Science Career Initiative Armando Ibarra Caroline Gottschalk lars were used to create the section. The effort was financed through Steve Kean Jeffrey Beneker Chican@ and Latin@ Druschke sponsorships and gifts from alumni and friends. Special thanks are Wisconsin Foundation and Department of Classical and Studies Department of English extended to the Cool Science Image contest at UW-Madison. Alumni Association Ancient Near Eastern Studies Rebekah Willett Aws Albarghouthi Hannah E. Bailey Kenneth R. Mayer Information School Department of Computer College of Letters & Department of Political Sci- Ankur Desai Sciences SECTION STAFF Science Undergraduate ence Department of Atmospheric Loris D’Antoni Research Scholars program Sami Schalk and Oceanic Sciences Department of Computer Publisher: Tom Wiley, Wisconsin State Journal; Sales/marketing: Sam Ahler Department of Gender Audra Sterling Sciences Mike Rodriguez, Capital Newspapers; Section editors: John Smalley Conservation biology & Women’s Studies Department of Communica- Mark Saffman and Beth Williams, Wisconsin State Journal; Letters & Science In- and environmental studies Neil Kodesh tion Sciences and Disorders Department of Physics terim Dean: Eric Wilcots; Editorial Director: Dennis Chaptman; L&S student Department of History Diane C. Gooding Claire Evensen Assistant Dean of Strategic Communications and Advancement: Natalie K. Pahapill Michael G. Titelbaum Department of Psychology Biochemistry and Denise Hickey; L&S Communications Director: Mary Ellen Gabriel; Biology student Department of Philosophy Stephanie Robert mathematics student L&S University Relations Specialist: Aaron Conklin; L&S Alumni School of Social Work Relations Specialist: Kaitlin Mcintosh; Cover art: Elena Poiata, Wis- consin Foundation and Alumni Association; Designer: Matt Arroyo, Lee Enterprises; Copy editor: Ann Langel, Wisconsin State Journal. At the Morgridge Institute, we explore uncharted research territory and go where the science takes us. By asking the right questions and following the highest standards of quality research, we will improve human health. VISIT MORGRIDGE.ORG

 VIROLOGY  REGENERATIVE BIOLOGY  METABOLISM  MEDICAL ENGINEERING  CORE COMPUTATION  BIOETHICS  OUTREACH 4 | SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 | WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL UW-MADISON COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE

WISCONSIN FOUNDATION AND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

BRYCE RICHTER, UW-MADISON The power of private gifts to UW-Madison is reflected in the transformative research that is conducted across the College of Letters & Science, and in the entire university’s reputation as a research leader. Philanthropy bolsters UW legacy as a top 10 research university

hatever may be the limita- Faculty across the College of Letters & the university’s ability to hire and retain About the tions which trammel inquiry Science are executing critical research on talented faculty. Associate Vice President “Welsewhere, we believe that worldwide topics ranging from regulating Private gifts now play a pivotal role in the great state University of Wisconsin sleep in the Department of Integrative preserving the university’s legacy and its Steve Kean is associate vice president and should ever encourage Biology; the effects of warming oceans ability to expand research and ignite new managing director of development at the Wis- that continual and fearless in the Department of Atmospheric and ideas. consin Foundation and Alumni Association, sifting and winnowing by Oceanic Science; laser sailing as a means Since the Wisconsin Foundation leading 16 development professionals working which alone the truth can of space transportation in the Depart- launched the All Ways Forward cam- on behalf of the College of Letters & Science. be found.”- UW Board of ment of Physics; and how threats to paign, the College of Letters & Science Regents, 1894 people’s sense of identity drive protest has been able to more than double the Discover more This past September, movements in the Department of Politi- number of endowed professorships and those words – inscribed on cal Science. chairs. STEVE Making a Gift KEAN a plaque at Bascom Hall’s Those examples represent only a snip- During this campaign, thousands of Consider making a gift to the College of Let- entrance – turned 125 years pet of the amazing innovation, creativity, friends and alumni have contributed mil- ters & Science by visiting www.allwaysfor- old. and knowledge our faculty pursues. lions of dollars to funds in Letters & Sci- ward.org/schools-colleges/ls or contacting In that time, UW-Mad- Earlier this year, Badger alums John and ence that support our research across the Steve Kean at [email protected] or ison created a tradition of free thought Tashia Morgridge announced another breadth of our disciplines. 608-512-2097. and a culture of presenting, challenging, gift that will support up to $70 million in I hope that you will continue to sup- analyzing and advancing ideas. matching donations for faculty recruit- port our faculty and students so that we All Ways Forward From that culture, our faculty have es- ment and retention at UW-Madison. can uphold our long tradition of contin- Find out more about the university’s tablished a legacy as one of the nation’s Their incredible generosity comes at a ual and fearless sifting and winnowing. All Ways Forward capital campaign at leading research universities. time when budget cuts have challenged Thank you for your support! www.allwaysforward.org.

mni_spc1_050320_01_w_004_00_01_nw.pdf 1 25-Apr-20 22:33:29 A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES

Join us to learn about the fascinating research happening in UW–Madison’s Visit www.ls.wisc.edu College of Letters & Science (L&S). Enrich your mind with some of the UW’s to learn more about top faculty members and hear from L&S interim dean Eric Wilcots. the event.

Fueling Discovery, a partnership between L&S and the Wisconsin State Journal, invites the college’s faculty members to submit articles about their innovative work for inclusion in this special, annual section of the newspaper.

Sponsored by: Wisconsin Alumni Association College of Letters & Science 6 | SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 | WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL UW-MADISON COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOLARS PROGRAM Undergraduate research: A powerful tool for setting one’s course

niversity research is often a mysteri- ous and murky concept to under- U graduates arriving on campus. But through the Col- lege of Letters & Science’s Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, each year we help approximately 200 first- and second-year undergraduates participate HANNAH E. in research and creative BAILEY endeavors with mentorship from faculty and staff. By showing them the research opportunities and methods avail- able on campus, we help undergraduates mold their futures. One of our strengths is introducing un- dergraduates to the wide array of knowl- edge being produced at UW-Madison. URS is a high-impact practice that builds a diverse community of scholars, both in terms of students’ intellectual in- terests and life experiences. Many of our students come from historically underrep- resented groups on campus. According to a 2017 National Survey of Student Engagement, 38 percent of UW- Madison students participate in research during their undergraduate careers. The URS program is unique because the major- ity of our students are in their first year. Our hope is that this early research experience will help our students make informed decisions about the classes they take, the majors they declare, and the ca- reer and post-baccalaureate plans they pursue. Most incoming URS students are new BRYCE RICHTER, UW-MADISON to research. They apply to URS seeking Student Nzinga Acosta, with microphone, answers an audience question after the screening of a group film project produced by URS participants. a hands-on research experience, often Titled “Black Protest in U.S. Newswire Stories 1994-2010,” it was screened at Union South during the 2019 Undergraduate Symposium. Other without a clear understanding of precisely students shown are Laura Moore, Karinton Deville and Abril Pereznegron. what that means. Many of us – maybe even most of us – who validated my natural curiosities and Every fall, URS students are stunned by About the director associate research with science, technol- introduced me to research methods that the variety of available research projects. ogy, engineering and mathematics. As you would help me pursue them. Incoming students rarely foresee that Hannah E. Bailey is director of the Under- see in this supplement, however, research Faculty members challenged and sup- they can investigate how members of Con- graduate Research Scholars program in the extends to all disciplines. ported me to find my own answers to the gress communicate with constituents, the College of Letters & Science. A 2010 graduate I empathize with these students. When research questions about inequality and ways that 3D printing and modeling might of UW-Madison with bachelor of arts degrees I entered UW-Madison in 2007, I had no systems of power that interested me. be used to represent dream sequences, in history and French and a certificate in sense of how scholars conducted research Leaning into my natural curiosities as an or situations in films that are deemed Gender & Women’s Studies, she is working in fields that interested me. From what undergraduate student became a habit for “funny” across cultures. towards a doctorate in history at the College I could tell, research was the purview of lifelong learning. I learned that the ques- A common refrain during our student- of William and Mary in Virginia. pre-med students. I had difficulty aligning tions that resonate with you as an under- research matching process is, “I can study DISCOVER MORE my goals with the big questions that fasci- graduate can determine your entire career. that?” Thanks to research mentors, upper- „ urs.ls.wisc.edu nated me. When students identify the questions level URS Research Fellows, and peers, I am indebted to exceptional professors that preoccupy them, they are best situ- students soon realize that the world of in the Departments of History, French & ated to make the most of their undergrad- research is broader and richer than they Italian, and Gender & Women’s Studies uate research experiences. imagined. UW-MADISON COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL | SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 | 7 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOW Hands-on experience opens door to role as ecologist SAM AHLER About the student little attention paid to the effects Special to the State Journal of cold. he opportunity to ask my Sam Ahler is majoring in conser- We examined the effects of own research questions and vation biology and environmental winter climate change on prairie T develop new experimental studies. He has worked on numerous plant bud survival and growth. procedures as an ecologist has research projects, including focusing Rhizomes from two dominating made me aware of my potential as on the environmental impact of road prairie grasses were collected. a researcher. salt and the response of Wisconsin Samples were collected from In fact, this research experience tall-grass prairies to winter climate four management scenarios: has been instrumental in my deci- change. He grew up in Lake Geneva spring burn, fall burn, mowing and sion to pursue a doctorate after and expects to graduate in May 2021. no management. Bud cold toler- finishing my undergraduate degree ance was measured by removing at UW-Madison. is a critical step in understand- buds from rhizomes and placing My work in the lab of Ellen ing a prairie’s response to climate them in a cold bath with a pro- Damschen, a professor of integra- change. grammed cooling rate. A thermal tive biology, focused on yearly Winters in temperate regions are camera recorded the buds’ tem- AARON CONKLIN vegetative growth in Midwestern changing quickly, with increased perature to determine the tem- Sam Ahler, an undergraduate whose latest research involves yearly prairie plants. That growth is frequency of freeze-thaw cycles perature of ice formation. vegetative growth in Midwestern prairie plants, is shown here in the Botany dominated by below-ground buds due to fluctuating temperatures I have been exposed to the world Greenhouse in Birge Hall on campus. The experience ignited his passion for as opposed to germination of new and a loss of continuous snow of ecological and evolutionary research and helped guide his academic career. plants. cover. The literature surrounding biology, with an emphasis on how Reliance on buds over seed ger- bud bank stress tolerances focuses the natural communities around By digging into my honors se- not only how to remediate human- mination means researching the almost exclusively on response to us are changing in response to hu- nior thesis, I have become aware of induced damage, but also restore stress tolerances of the bud bank drought and fire or grazing, with man actions. the importance of understanding natural sites to their former glory.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOW Parkinson’s project helps student build skills, understand disease NATALIE K. PAHAPILL About the student before the onset of key disease Special to the State Journal features. Parkinson’s disease is a neuro- Natalie K. Pahapill, of Elm Grove, Detecting the presence of anxi- degenerative disorder that affects Wis., is majoring in biology. She ex- ety in an early stage can allow for 10 million people. pects to graduate in May 2021. Her earlier disease detection, earlier It is identified by limb motor research is in the lab of Professor treatment and better outcomes. deficits, including tremor, shuf- Michelle Ciucci in the Department of Additionally, the findings of the fling gait and slowness related Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology. current study allow for further to the death of neurons and key exploration of the disease process chemicals in the brain. Our laboratory’s work seeks and the integration of motor and The neurotransmitter dopamine to change this and identify early non-motor deficits. is associated with movement as behavioral and neurochemical bio- This research allowed me to well as reward-motivated be- markers and better understand the grow in countless ways. havior, and without it, people are disease process. In my work, I have Last summer, I volunteered at likely to have feelings of anxiety, capitalized on our ability to study the American Parkinson’s Disease depression, mood swings and for- brain and behavior relationships in Optimism Walk in Madison. I met getfulness. genetic rat models. members of the community and Once these motor signs appear, I am testing the hypothesis that their families affected by Parkin- approximately 70 percent of these anxiety is an early sign of Parkin- son disease. These experiences key dopamine neurons are already son’s disease. further validate the importance of KAITLIN MCINTOSH lost. By the time of diagnosis, the Mutations in certain genes in- our research. Natalie K. Pahapill, shown here in the lab, focused her research on disease is already in a mid- to late- cluding the Pink1 gene, have been In any research setting, you’ll Parkinson’s disease. Her work involves brain and behavior relationships stage of progression. linked to early-onset Parkinson’s encounter unexpected issues re- and uses genetic rat models. She says her undergraduate research work Early diagnosis is challenging, disease, a hereditary form of the quiring problem-solving skills and “allowed me to grow in countless ways.” as few reliable biomarkers exist. disease. We use rodent models to determination to find alternative Their absence results in delayed identify the presence of prodromal solutions. this refined skill set into other reer, making me a better student, treatment. anxiety, the anxiety that occurs Research allowed me to integrate disciplines in my academic ca- learner and thinker. 8 | SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 | WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL UW-MADISON COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE CAREER INITIATIVE

BRYCE RICHTER, UW-MADISON Students meet with and present their independent research to Ellen Damschen, at left, a professor of integrative biology. Lab research provides skills needed to prepare students to successfully compete in the job market. Undergraduate research sparks career success

s College of Letters & Science students valuable as an internship. entists, doctors and researchers of all levels. About the Associate Dean help advance life-saving research into In the lab, students apply skills from the To have your opinions and presentations A liver cancer, lung diseases and other classroom, such as developing, testing and valued and taken seriously by people with Rebekah Pryor Paré is associate dean of fields, their work sets them evaluating hypotheses and experiments. As Ph.D.s and MDs means a lot as an under- the College of Letters & Science Career Initia- up for a future of career suc- biochemistry major Jinan Sous explains, the graduate.” tive. The initiative helps students build suc- cess. lab is also a place to apply creative thinking. At SuccessWorks, students work with cessful careers by establishing connections Our undergraduates pursue “Research taught me often the best solu- advisors to market these experiences for the with alumni and employers, identifying their extraordinary research op- tion is not the most direct,” she says. job market. strengths and interests and thinking beyond portunities across campus, Labs are a fertile learning environment, Morel, now a clinical research coordina- their degrees much earlier in their college ex- even taking advantage of helping students develop professional skills tor at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, periences. REBEKAH those in the School of Medi- needed for a job in many fields. Students worked with a career advisor on her resume, DISCOVER MORE PRYOR cine and Public Health and work on assignments independently while cover letters and interviewing skills. successworks.wisc.edu PARÉ local hospitals. contributing to the team’s broader goal. “With the help of SuccessWorks, my job For L&S students pursu- They learn to take initiative and articulate search process turned into me negotiating ing medical and public health their findings. multiple offers – it made a big difference,” professions, laboratory research can be as As Natalie Morel says, “I worked with sci- she says. UW-MADISON COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL | SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 | 9 DEPARTMENT OF CLASSICAL AND ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN STUDIES Seeing today’s politics through an ancient lens o topic is more divisive than About the scholar Roman emperor. Even so, they the monarchy more stable; and politics. And yet, during an were largely self-governing and how Epaminondas of Thebes N election year, there may be Jeffrey Beneker is a professor in the required competent leadership. took the same pride in oversee- no topic more in Department of Classical and Ancient Both a historian and a practic- ing the streets as he did in lead- need of exploration. Near Eastern Studies. He studies ing politician, Plutarch believed ing the army. One approach ancient Greek and Roman biography the past could inform the present. Drawing on the experiences of that allows for and history, and teaches courses In a series of essays, which I dozens of historical figures, Plu- peaceful dialogue in Greek language, mythology and have recently translated, Plutarch tarch makes examples from the is to examine the religion. His current projects include recounts stories about great lead- past relevant to his contemporary politics of another a biography of the Roman general ers from the classical past, taking audience, and in the process, he JEFFREY place and time, Pompey the Great and a translation pains to distill from his historical has made them relevant to a mod- BENEKER to find examples of the medieval story of Sinbad the examples the essence of wise po- ern audience as well. that ring true in Philosopher. litical leadership. the modern era but DISCOVER MORE He describes, for example, Professor Jeffrey Beneker edited and which we can discuss without of- how Themistocles and Aristides translated this selection of Plutarch’s „ go.wisc.edu/beneker fending our fellow citizens. set aside their partisan rivalry essays, which reflect on wise political „ go.wisc.edu/benekerinterview My research on Plutarch of whenever they were represent- leadership. The published essays Chaeronea, a Greek author from proach. By Plutarch’s day, clas- ing Athens abroad; how Theo- provide a lens through which to view the first century A.D., focuses on sical Greece was long gone, and pompus, a Spartan king, surren- modern political leaders. someone who took just this ap- the old cities were subject to the dered some of his power to make PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE Collaborating to bring order to redistricting y recent research is about About the scholar My current interest is the ques- how we organize ourselves tion of examining alternatives to M politically, and how the Kenneth R. Mayer is a professor in partisan redistricting. rules used to conduct elections the Department of Political Science, Almost nobody defends parti- can affect turnout, where he teaches courses on the san gerrymandering – at least not representation and presidency, campaign finance, and honestly, or when the other side even the results. election administration. His current does it. This may appear research focuses on redistricting, As the saying goes, the practice totally obvious. voting rights and recent changes to of elected officials choosing their Most people, if campaign finance law. voters rather than the other way asked, would say DISCOVER MORE around violates core principles of KENNETH R. that elected officials democratic governance, repre- „ go.wisc.edu/mayer MAYER will seek to protect sentation and responsiveness. their own interests „ go.wisc.edu/mayerinterview But we don’t have a full under- when setting and standing of how to best draw neu- altering rules, and that anyone changes don’t have the effects tral plans, or how – or whether – who argues otherwise is naïve. their supporters intended or cre- different definitions of “neutral” And it is often obvious, when ate unexpected results. will affect how legislators engage partisan legislators gerrymander Public election funding, for ex- with constituents. districts to protect their majori- ample, did not spur large changes Along with colleagues in com- ties or enact voting laws they be- in policy, although it has in- puter science and geography, sev- JEFF MILLER, UW-MADISON lieve will affect particular voters. creased the demographic diversity eral of us in the political science Political science Professor Kenneth R. Mayer is currently researching There are, though, a lot of of the donor pool by giving can- department will investigate these alternatives to partisan political redistricting, including how best to draw interesting questions that go didates an incentive to seek small questions from a truly interdisci- neutral redistricting plans. He is working with colleagues in geography and beyond the obvious ones. Some campaign contributions. plinary standpoint. computer science to find answers. 10 | SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 | WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL UW-MADISON COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE DEPARTMENT OF GENDER & WOMEN’S STUDIES Understanding systems of oppression and our place within them y research focuses on issues of race, About the scholar disability, and gender in contempo- M rary American literature and culture. Sami Schalk is an associate professor in the My first book, “Bodyminds Reimagined,” Department of Gender & Women’s Studies. Her analyzes representations of disability, race research focuses on disability, race, and gen- and gender in black women’s der in contemporary American literature and speculative fiction, arguing culture, especially African American and wom- that this non-realist genre en’s texts. She is the author of the 2018 book provides unique ways to ex- “Bodyminds Reimagined: (Dis)ability, Race, and plore social systems and the Gender in Black Women’s Speculative Fiction.” relationships between them. DISCOVER MORE I have also written about „ go.wisc.edu/Schalk race, disability, and gender SAMI „ go.wisc.edu/twerk SCHALK in popular culture, like in the films “Avatar” and in the Wisconsin-based American develop new strategies for political and Girl brand. social change that can address multiple My current research project explores oppressions at once and refuse to leave how black activists, specifically the Black anyone behind. Panther Party and the National Black I bring this work to the classroom by en- Women’s Health Project, have addressed couraging my students to ask questions of disability as a political concern in ways that their own assumptions. differ from the mainstream, predominantly What beliefs do you hold that you have white, disability rights movement. never questioned? How did you come to As an interdisciplinary scholar – mean- know what you think you know about peo- ing my work crosses disciplinary boundar- ple who are different from you? From TV ies including literature, history, and eth- and movies? From your parents or com- nography – the thing that links all my work munity of origin? Who benefits from these is not the objects I study (a book, a film, beliefs and who suffers? dolls or archival materials), but the politi- Are the beliefs you hold helping you be cal and social issues that these objects help your highest and best self – helping you us understand. make the world better – or are these beliefs What are the relationships between holding you back from that? racism, sexism, ableism – discrimination What I love about teaching in the De- against disabled people – and other forms partment of Gender & Women’s Studies is of oppression? that my students come open, earnest and How have marginalized groups – such as eager to learn. women, disabled people, people of color, I learn from and with my students con- lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer people, stantly and every year at least one student transgender and non-binary people – e-mails me to say that my class changed sometimes done harm to one another or their thinking, even changed their life or to multiply marginalized people with their career path. group, such as queer people of color, in Everyone needs to have a basic under- their fight for collective liberation? standing of systems of oppression because What I aim to accomplish with my re- all of us will interact with people different DUKE UNIVERSITY PRESS search is an understanding of the relation- from us and potentially hold power over Associate Professor Sami Schalk challenges her students to question long-held personal beliefs ships between oppressions in our modern people less privileged than ourselves. We and evaluate their assumptions about people different from them and where they fit within world so that, perhaps, in conversation need to understand our role within these systems of oppression. Here is the cover of her 2018 book, “Bodyminds Reimagined.” with the many brilliant scholars, artists systems in order to change them for the and activists I read and work with, we can better. SPECIAL SECTION SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 | W11 Image © Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System Helping UW–Madisonimprove the World

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WARF.ORG INVESTING IN RESEARCH, MAKING A DIFFERENCE. 12 | SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 | WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL UW-MADISON COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY

COURTESY OF THE WELLCOME LIBRARY, LONDON Patients are being brought into the Mengo dispensary, Mengo Hospital, Uganda, on wooden and vine stretchers in 1924. Global health perspective: History and healing in East Africa y research on the history of health, stand the treatment they received in these of mapping disease hotspots; and a month- About the scholar healing and medicine is animated by different spaces? long program in Botswana for undergradu- M a series of intriguing questions, all And, what was the relationship between ate students that focused on community Neil Kodesh is a professor in the Department helping a growing number of deeply-rooted therapeutic practices and and environmental health. of History. His research and teaching focus UW-Madison students better ideas in East Africa and those introduced by An historical perspective – one that both on the history of East Africa, with a particular grasp global health issues. medical missionaries and colonial medical foregrounds the concerns of African com- focus on medical history, historical anthropol- What was it like to be a pa- officers beginning in the late 19th century? munities and also considers the historical ogy and multidisciplinary methodologies for tient in a hospital established Interest in global health has grown tre- lineages of global health interventions in writing African history. He is currently working by British medical missionar- mendously during my 15 years at UW-Mad- Africa – bridges the gap between past and on a historical ethnography of Mengo Hospital, ies in East Africa in the early ison. Many students, particularly aspiring present for future practitioners. the first hospital established in what today is NEIL 20th century? Or at one run medical professionals, participate in global This approach also blurs the distinction Uganda. KODESH by British colonial officials? health field experiences in other countries between the local and the global, allowing DISCOVER MORE Or at a healer’s shrine in one as part of their degree programs. us to better understand connections be- „ go.wisc.edu/neilkodesh the villages surrounding I have led two such experiences in recent tween our lives and conditions and those of „ go.wisc.edu/kodeshinterview these hospitals? years: a three-week program in western people living in seemingly distant parts of How did patients perceive and under- Uganda for graduate students on the topic the world. Join the Shared Solar community.

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Visit mge.com/SharedSolar2020 to learn more. 14 | SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 | WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL UW-MADISON COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY Understanding knowledge and learning from different views very year I teach episte- About the scholar reach diff erent conclusions, must mology, which is Greek for one of them have made a mistake? E “theory of knowledge.” My Michael G. Titelbaum is Vilas Distin- Or do our diff erent perspectives, students and I try guished Achievement Professor and upbringings and points of view to understand what chair of the Department of Philosophy. allow us to draw diff erent lessons knowledge is, and His research centers on rationality, pri- from the same experiences? how to get it. marily as it comes up in epistemology Two people might watch the Knowledge starts (the theory of knowledge) and ethics, same political debate and disagree with evidence. We but also as it arises in meta-ethics, about which candidate would be might acquire evi- decision theory, political philosophy, best for our country. Two sci- MICHAEL G. dence from scien- logic and the philosophy of science. entists might look at the same TITELBAUM tifi c experiments, DISCOVER MORE experimental data, and form dif- combing through ferent theories. „ go.wisc.edu/titelbaum books, talking to Most importantly, I ask what we others, or even just opening our should do when we fi nd ourselves eyes and seeing the world around Most of my research is about in these disagreements. us. reasoning. In particular I study Must we dismiss the other But evidence doesn’t always Bayesian models of reasoning, person’s conclusions as confused wear its lessons on its sleeve. which are based on statistics and or ill-informed? Or can we learn Sometimes we have to combine probability mathematics. from diff erent perspectives, with- multiple pieces of evidence, or I ask what makes reasoning out having to abandon our own? JEFF MILLER, UW-MADISON dig deeper into what our evidence good, or bad. Is there only one Despite being studied for mil- Michael G. Titelbaum, Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor and chair of says, to draw a conclusion. This good way to reason? If two people lennia, these questions feel more the Department of Philosophy, is shown here teaching a Philosophy 211 class requires reasoning. start from the same evidence, and important now than ever. at Helen C. White Hall. Titelbaum’s work revolves around rationality and ethics.

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS Keeping up with the changes in the financial system he fl oor of a stock exchange About the scholar fl exible and rapidly evolving was once the headquarters trading protocols and platforms. T for fi nancial transactions. Marzena Rostek holds the Juli These changes have created In merely a Plant Grainger Distinguished Chair unique opportunities to contrib- couple of decades, in the Department of Economics. An ute and a sense of urgency. however, fi nancial expert in microeconomics, theory of It would be an understatement markets have gone fi nancial markets and game theory, to say that fi nancial markets are through an unprec- her research has recognized the po- ahead of economic theory. The edented transfor- tential for market decentralization fi nancial crisis provided another mation. to increase effi ciency. Her work sug- stimulus to the demand for new MARZENA The number of gests new possibilities that economic models and tools that could in- ROSTEK alternative trad- theory and market design off er in form and assist in evaluating the ing venues and accomplishing certain effi ciency, rev- regulatory reforms that followed. the volume of enue and incentive objectives. The rising questions concern- trade outside traditional, open DISCOVER MORE ing the market structure of the exchanges have increased sever- fi nancial system, its effi cient alfold. „ go.wisc.edu/rostek design, and, possibly regulation, Looking just at the top U.S. eq- are core economic questions. uity markets, the New York Stock tutional investors) and more than These are the questions that keep Exchange currently creates less 200 dealer networks. me up at night. COURTESY OF GIOVANNI COVI, MATTIA MONTAGNA AND than 25 percent of the trading Moreover, a signifi cant frac- There is enough to understand GABRIELE TORRI, EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK volume of its listed assets. The tion of transactions has shifted to keep an army of researchers This graphic depicts the complex modern market structure. It shows the remaining trades occur in more to electronic trading. With ad- busy. In the process, I discovered network of the granular and aggregate exposures of the Euro area banking than 10 other public exchanges, vances in fi nancial technology the joys of working with and sector (blue nodes), non-fi nancial corporates (red nodes), the government more than 30 private exchanges came access to faster speeds, new learning from UW-Madison stu- sector (purple nodes), the fi nancial corporate sector (green nodes) and the (restricted mostly to large insti- fi nancial instruments and more dents. household sector (light blue nodes). UW-MADISON COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL | SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 | 15 CHICAN@ & LATIN@ STUDIES PROGRAM Building common ground in Wisconsin as demographics change

rained as a political scientist, I study and teach on migration and settle- T ment and the social and cultural transformations that these processes cre- ate. For me, the Wisconsin Idea means producing knowledge about these issues in col- laboration with community stakeholders. I see this work as a way to help all of us learn to live together as we face ARMANDO economic, demographic and IBARRA environmental change. And make no mistake: the United States is changing. During the last 30 years or so, trade and foreign policy initiatives by both parties have made us increasingly interdependent with our neighbors to the south. The old era of “gunboat diplomacy” with Latin America has more or less ended, but our new relationships are still fraught and asymmetrical. As the U.S. political economy moves re- sources north, life in countries like Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras becomes untenable for large numbers of people. Climate change exacerbates these condi- tions. As a result, labor, too, moves north, even as some formerly secure U.S.-based jobs move south and further afield. This new interdependence is reshaping the population of the United States even as it concentrates more and more wealth in fewer and fewer hands both here and abroad. Most demographers agree that in the fu- ture the United States will be more racially and ethnically diverse than it is now, and ISTOCK economic trends point to continued change that will make tomorrow’s labor market Reaching out through the Wisconsin Idea to help policymakers adapt to changing demographics is an important part of Armando Ibarra’s work, different from today’s. along with documenting the stories of ordinary Wisconsin workers of Mexican descent. In this context, change and inequality generate anxiety and conflict. Policies and consequently offers practical evidence- About the scholar ing, racialization and unequal access to political positions emerge from incomplete based conclusions and recommendations. education. information, strengthening myths and In addition to preparing academic pub- Armando Ibarra is an associate professor and These debates and these realities also in- feeding rhetoric that polarizes our country. lications and reports that could allow director of the Chican@ and Latin@ Studies form my work with students. Some of my academic friends who study political leadership and policymakers to Program and a faculty member at the UW- In partnership with community organi- social movements say the United States is strengthen our communities by receiving Madison School for Workers. His research and zations in Madison, Milwaukee, and be- as divided politically and culturally now as newcomers from Latin America effectively, field of specialization are Chicana/o Latina/o yond, I have trained students to collaborate it has ever been. I think I agree. So, what to I have documented the lives, dreams, and working communities. with marginalized communities in the pro- do? struggles of ordinary workers, mostly peo- DISCOVER MORE duction of knowledge that can help them In a climate that creates the conditions ple of Mexican descent, in our state. address their most pressing concerns. „ go.wisc.edu/ibarra for division and reactionary politics against This work has added a Wisconsin voice In all of this work, I seek to find ways for „ go.wisc.edu/ibarravideo the “other,” I engage in community-based to national social science debates on labor, all Wisconsinites to build common ground research that seeks to identify root causes migration, politics and integration. they encompass generationally linked is- and work for a shared, more just and equi- and consequences of these dynamics and These debates are not new. For Latinos, sues such as exclusion, segregation, polic- table future. 16 | SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 | WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL UW-MADISON COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE THE INFORMATION SCHOOL Righting the screen time ship mid all of the confusion re- About the scholar garding how to raise children A in a technology-saturated Rebekah Willett is an associate world, everyday household rou- professor in the Information School. tines connected Her research areas include childhood with screens have studies, media and cultural studies, become a source of education and girlhood studies. She struggle. is interested in children’s media cul- What parent or tures, new literacies, digital culture, caregiver has not play and public library makerspaces. been stressed over Her current research project exam- REBEKAH questions about ines libraries as community hubs WILLETT their children and for teaching positive screen media technology? What practices. apps are OK, and DISCOVER MORE how worried should we be about YouTube? How much time is too „ go.wisc.edu/willett much? When can children handle „ go.wisc.edu/willettbooks their own social media accounts? Parents and caregivers are con- children’s media culture. stantly developing family rules I demonstrate ways parenting connected with digital media and advice in media and in everyday technologies. They struggle with conversations often set up hierar- contradictory advice about pro- chies that indicate “good” versus viding children access to screens “bad” parents. or about regulating screen access. Some parental practices are Parents are told that children set up as “good” by describing need to have full access to tech- certain media-related activities nologies to succeed academically, as safe and educational, and by prepare for the workforce, be indicating that “good parents” a part of their peer culture and are those who provide these apps learn how to handle issues such as and activities while also carefully privacy and misinformation. regulating their children’s media On the other hand, parents are time. told to be wary of online risks and Other parents are viewed as less potential harm. discerning; allowing their chil- My research provides new ways dren to play in virtual and real-life of thinking about children’s me- spaces where there are risks, such dia engagements that go beyond as “stranger danger,” privacy is- benefits and risks. I explain that sues and exposure to advertising there is danger of over-celebrat- pressures. ing the potential for children’s These hierarchies privilege interactions with media while middle-class families’ media us- MAUREEN MAUK promising results that likely will age, which does not account for Parents today are faced with questions and concerns over how much screen time is too much or too little. Professor never materialize. the multiple ways our culture Rebecca Willett said her aim is to put families and children in the center of discussions about media use for kids. In addition, over-regulation consumes media. I argue that the on a national and even household framing of parenting in this good It seems like common sense particular types of families; but and geographical isolation. level can reduce children’s access parent-bad parent way is not new that children should primarily be all families are different. My aims are for researchers to to the benefits of media engage- and has been used throughout the consuming media with parents, My research analyzes the fac- see the complexities and mean- ment, create family anxiety and history of children and media. that media should be mainly edu- tors that shape decisions families ing-making that happens as fami- shut down dialogue with children. This history means that the ev- cational and that screen time is make about screen media rang- lies negotiate children’s media use My aim is to put children, fami- eryday advice that society seems strictly controlled. ing from disabilities, ethnicities, and for professionals who provide lies, and their experiences at the to understand as norms, is hard to However, it is important to rec- religious beliefs through to work guidance about media to better center of conversations about change. ognize these assumptions favor schedules, access to technologies see families as individuals.

mni_spc1_050320_01_w_016_00_01_nw.pdf 1 25-Apr-20 22:33:08 SPECIAL SECTION SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 | W17

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Learn more at madison.com/members 18 | SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 | WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL UW-MADISON COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE DEPARTMENT OF ATMOSPHERIC AND OCEANIC SCIENCES Researchers monitor, analyze the breath of the biosphere s the sun rises around the world, hun- dreds of trillions of leaves open their A pores to start a daily cycle. Every leaf is fi lled with these pores, called stomata, more than a million per leaf. Each second, each stomate allows several billion mol- ecules of water to escape and carbon dioxide to enter. ANKUR These ingredients allow DESAI an elaborate recipe, photo- synthesis, to store the sun’s energy in the form of carbon. This process is what I call the breath of the biosphere. Each year, all the plants on land take up more than a 100 billion tons of carbon. After accounting for respiration and decomposi- tion, land ecosystems on net off set a quarter of our fossil fuel emissions. Plants lighten the burden for future emis- sions reductions needed to prevent the worst eff ects of a warming planet. Can we keep counting on plants for that service? In the Ecometeorology Lab at the Depart- ment of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, students and scientists are monitoring that breath to answer this question. We build towers in forests, wetlands, lakes and farms across Wisconsin and Michigan. These towers range from six feet to 1,400 feet tall, and loom over the plants and soil being monitored. Sensors on these towers measure gusts of winds and the amount of carbon dioxide and water vapor in the air 10 times a second. Using the laws of turbulent fl uid dynamics, we can turn those observations into infor- JONATHAN THOM mation about rates of carbon uptake and water loss by plants. This tower, near Lac du Flambeau in northern Wisconsin, holds some of the sensing equipment used to monitor the amount of carbon dioxide and We want to understand how this breath water vapor in the air 10 times per second. It is one of several across Wisconsin and Michigan that are being used by Professor Ankur Desai and changes from one hour to the next, from his colleagues to observe rates of carbon uptake and water loss by plants. one season to the next, from one year to the next. open-access data every day, expertly climb- all sources of carbon dioxide and methane About the scholar What happens in a hot summer, a wet ing the towers to maintain them. on a dairy farm in a quest to see how the Ankur Desai spring or during an extended cloudy spell? Graduate student Jess Turner is using dairy industry could become carbon neutral. is a professor in the Department How quickly does the breath restore after these data to learn how peatlands carbon Our work is done with federal partners of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. His an insect outbreak, an ice storm, or a severe sequestration changes with their size and such as the Forest Service and the Depart- lab investigates how regional spatial pattern, drought? Do stomata open less as carbon how windy they are. Another graduate stu- ments of Agriculture and Energy and along- scale, and human modifi cation of land-atmo- dioxide in the air increases from fossil fuel dent, Bailey Murphy, is calibrating complex side state groups such as the Department sphere exchanges of heat, water, and carbon emissions? How much do older forests computer simulations of forests with the of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin Edu- infl uence the lower atmosphere. Lab members breath compare to younger forests? towers to understand how forest age and cational Communications Board and the also examine how those meteorological and This is what we seek to understand in our management infl uence carbon uptake. Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers climatic responses aff ect terrestrial ecosys- lab. Undergraduate researcher James Mineau Association. tems. For example, to detect subtle shifts in the is using a fl oating tower in a lake to explain Each seeks its own understanding of the DISCOVER MORE breath, researcher Jonathan Thom monitors unique seasonal patterns. Meanwhile, post- biosphere. Ecometeorology researchers and „ go.wisc.edu/adesai and calibrates sensors collecting real-time, doctoral researcher Susi Wiesner is tracing partners learn one breath at a time. „ go.wisc.edu/desailab UW-MADISON COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL | SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 | 19

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND DISORDERS Helping children thrive by combatting language impairments anguage is a fundamental About the scholar Too many times, we focus on aspect of human communica- weaknesses in research and subse- L tion, and impairments result in Audra Sterling is an associate pro- quently clinical practice. lifelong struggles. fessor in the Department of Commu- Research and life, however, tell Imagine having nication Sciences and Disorders. Her us that playing on our strengths is trouble communi- research focuses on the cognitive the optimal way to target growth. cating basic wants and language development of indi- My goal is to understand how and needs and un- viduals with developmental disabili- to assess and treat language in derstanding the fast ties. She is interested in children with children, by providing speech-lan- pace of the world fragile X syndrome, autism spectrum guage pathologists and educators AUDRA around you. It’s a disorder and Down syndrome. She information to help children learn STERLING frustrating and scary seeks to understand how biology and and thrive in their environment. scenario. environment affect development of Recently we have begun an For children with language and cognition in children exciting project to uncover how neurodevelopmental disorders – with developmental disabilities. language impairments are related including Down syndrome, fragile DISCOVER MORE to underlying brain regions and X syndrome, and autism spectrum „ go.wisc.edu/asterling connections. disorder – language impairments „ go.wisc.edu/sterlinglab This will help us understand how are a part of life. each disorder develops in the brain. These struggles begin early ment. We can then use that informa- in development and continue My work seeks to understand the tion to help us better understand throughout life. Unfortunately, strengths and weaknesses within language performance. This work ISTOCK language impairments are associ- language for children with neuro- will help us identify how each dis- Professor Audra Sterling’s research centers on assessing and treating ated with difficulties in school, developmental disorders, with the order impacts development, and language development in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, such difficulties with relationships and hope of alleviating some of these how we can best work with chil- as Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. Here, eventually problems with employ- later consequences. dren to improve communication. a girl with Down syndrome interacts with her teacher in a classroom setting.

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY Risk factors may help unravel mystery of schizophrenia chizophrenia is one of the About the scholar My lab is an extension of my most severe and persistent of classroom, so I include both un- S the mental illnesses. Diane C. Gooding is a professor in dergraduates and graduate stu- While schizo- the Department of Psychology. Her dents in my ongoing quest to un- phrenia is usually research focuses on schizophrenia cover how schizophrenia develops. diagnosed between and schizophrenia-spectrum disor- One risk factor I’ve identified is the ages of 18 and ders. Her studies include biological social anhedonia, which is when a 30, many mental bases and early identification and person doesn’t experience pleasure health profession- development of psychotic disor- from social interactions. als believe that the ders. Students working with her are Social anhedonia can be de- DIANE C. factors causing it are taught psychophysiological, neuro- tected using questionnaires, GOODING present since birth. physiological and clinical assessment enabling me to study it in college In my research, techniques. students, community samples, pa- I identify risk fac- DISCOVER MORE tient groups and cross-culturally. tors, which increase the likelihood I developed a new scale known „ go.wisc.edu/gooding of the later development of the as the ACIPS, with child, adoles- disorder, and precursors, which are cent and adult versions. signs that appear before the full- they related genetically to some- This is exciting because until blown disorder. one with schizophrenia; do they now, there has not been a way I accomplish this by studying share a relatively infrequent bio- to measure social anhedonia in schizophrenia in patients at vari- logical or personality characteris- youths. And it is important, be- ISTOCK ous stages in their illness as well as tic as someone with schizophrenia; cause the earlier we can detect By identifying risk factors for schizophrenia and studying patients at various studying individuals at risk for it. or do they display a clinical symp- risk factors, the sooner we can stages of their illness, and those at risk for it, Professor Diane C. Gooding People at risk for schizophrenia tom as someone diagnosed with intervene and help prevent further hopes to understand the puzzle of the mental illness and help professionals are identified in various ways: Are schizophrenia? decline. better treat it. 20 | SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 | WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL UW-MADISON COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

ISTOCK The goal of Professor Stephanie Robert’s research is to understand how to improve policies to ensure that seniors have the social, health and economic supports needed to allow them to live in comfort and dignity. Understanding how to help older adults meet long-term care needs

ging is not for wimps,” or so my Although most long-term housing can result in premature nursing About the scholar friends and family say when we get supports and services are home care, which is both more costly to so- “A together and share stories about our provided at home, moving to ciety and less preferred by older adults. Stephanie Robert is a professor and direc- lives. a nursing home can be ap- My research team investigates how a tor in the School of Social Work. Her research While older age can come with opportu- propriate to meet intense care range of factors affect our options for long- focuses on how social and economic aspects of nities for spending time with family, friends needs. term supports and services at older ages people’s lives affect their health and well-being and hobbies, it also often comes with health However, my research team – factors such as our income, race, living throughout their lives. She views social policy challenges. STEPHANIE found that older adults some- situation, informal supports, and aspects of as health policy – determining how to best im- At some point in our lives, approximately ROBERT times move to nursing homes our community context. prove social policy rather than only healthcare 70 percent of us will need supports and not because it is the best place The goal of this research is to understand policy to maintain people’s health and reduce services to help with daily care needs on an to meet their care needs, but how we can improve policies to ensure health disparities. ongoing basis – such as managing medica- because they can’t afford both their housing that all of us have the economic, social and DISCOVER MORE tions, preparing meals, bathing and dress- costs and their care needs at home. health supports we need to live comfortable „ go.wisc.edu/robert ing. Low income and a lack of affordable and dignified lives in old age. ESSENTIAL.

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MAR CH 1 8 CL , 2020 OSING , COCOONIN How Madison is dealing with the c G, COPING oronavirus 22 | SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 | WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL UW-MADISON COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS

COURTESY OF AUTUMN KENT Asteroids played on different TVs: a classic 4:3 aspect ratio, a modern 16:9 TV, and two unusual parallelogram TVs. When the spaceship flies into one side of the screen, it reappears from the opposite side and continues along the same trajectory. Exploring the world of Atari, doughnuts and geometry

n the Atari game Asteroids, you fly a of the TV screen is flat, and we call the As- tell the difference between a 2:1 universe About the scholar triangular spaceship that destroys aster- teroids universe a “flat torus.” and a 1:2 universe. I oids with a ray gun. TVs used to have 4:3 aspect ratios, and If the TV were a parallelogram, would Autumn Kent is a professor in the Department When you fly off the top of now they are usually 16:9. We can play As- she be able to tell if it weren’t a rectangle? of Mathematics. She specializes in geometry your TV screen, you reappear teroids on both. Could two different TVs give her the same and topology. Her research is focused on from the bottom. When you Both universes are flat tori, but they’re universe? Are there directions she can fly deformations of geometric structures. Specifi- fly off the right, it reappears different shapes. that will take her to every point in her uni- cally, she studies the geometry of spaces of from the left. Imagine Asteroids in a television with verse? geometric structures called moduli spaces, The top of the TV is a 100:1 aspect ratio. This gives us a very These questions are basic versions of the which lie at the interface of algebra, analysis, “glued’” to the bottom, skinny doughnut, and a dizzying universe. questions I address in my research: What geometry and topology. AUTUMN forming a cylinder, and the If we took a triangle ship captain out of are the possible shapes of a given object? KENT left end of this cylinder is her universe, and marooned her in a new Can we tell two objects apart by studying DISCOVER MORE “glued” to the right end, one, would she be able to tell? Can she de- the geometry from within, as in the di- „ go.wisc.edu/kent forming a doughnut. The termine the shape of her universe without lemma given our marooned captain? Can „ go.wisc.edu/kentinterview universe of Asteroids is a doughnut. being told the shape of the TV? we deform a given geometric object the Despite being a doughnut, the geometry From inside, there would be no way to way that we deformed our TVs? UW-MADISON COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL | SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 | 23 DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH

TIM HUNDT The community-based “Stories of the Flood” project helped some residents in the Driftless area of Wisconsin to heal from the trauma of summer flooding. Here, the flood-prone Kickapoo River overruns its banks and inundates a farm in a valley near Soldiers Grove in 2018. Storytelling that helps heal and plan in the wake of disaster ometimes the best experiences arrive They hoped to help flood-affected resi- In Vernon County, 2018 flooding caused an About the scholar when you least expect — and most dents process their trauma, while creating estimated $29 million in damage—an aver- S need — them. a historical record to inform future plan- age of almost $1,000 per person – to busi- Caroline Gottschalk Druschke is an associ- In 2018, Tamara Dean, ning and support community healing. I nesses, homes, and infrastructure. ate professor in the Department of English. from the Driftless Writing immediately pledged my support. Residents need help, but the “Stories She directs a research group working at the Center in Viroqua, asked if As a tenured professor 15 years into from the Flood” archive is filled with cre- intersection of public engagement and natural I would serve as the “hu- work on community engagement, public ative problem-solving, selfless generosity resources management. Through the study of manities expert” for an idea discourse, and freshwater management, I and deep resilience. rhetoric, they build critical theory and conduct they were dreaming up. have relevant expertise. But this ongoing My job is to show up and listen; build social and ecological research and public out- Called “Stories from the collaboration is a constant reminder I’m relationships to understand what commu- reach about stream restoration, migratory fish CAROLINE Flood,” it developed into not the expert when it comes to the human nity members need and want; and lever- passage, trout conservation, wetlands restora- GOTTSCHALK an ambitious, community- impacts of flooding. age university resources to support those tion, watershed-based agricultural outreach DRUSCHKE based project to collect Community members lived through needs. and coastal storm impacts. and share stories about 2018 flooding and so many floods before. I’m so grateful they’ve welcomed my DISCOVER MORE catastrophic flooding in the After multiple 100-year floods in the last students and me along for this work, and „ go.wisc.edu/gottschalkdruschke Kickapoo River and Coon Creek water- decade, there is little relief in sight; climate I hope I’m giving back even a fraction of „ go.wisc.edu/recentprojects sheds. forecasts predict this pattern will intensify. what this experience has given me. 24 | SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 | WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL UW-MADISON COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCES Computer scientists aim for software fairness and transparency

s software permeates our personal lives, corporate world, and bureau- A cracy, more of our critical decisions are being delegated to opaque software – hir- ing, welfare allocation, prison sentencing, polic- ing, and many others. Software artifacts have thus become powerful arbitrators of a range AWS of significant decisions ALBARGHOUTHI with far-reaching soci- etal impact. Picture, for instance, a hiring computer program that sifts through job ap- plications and selects what it perceives as the top can- didates, or an algorithm LORIS that computes a person’s D’ANTONI credit score. In such scenarios, the computer program is car- rying out a sensitive task, and could po- tentially be discriminating – advertently or inadvertently – against a protected group. A recent alarming example is racial bias in risk-prediction software used in crimi- nal sentencing, which is employed in a number of states, including Wisconsin. With the range and sensitivity of soft- ware-based decisions expanding by the ISTOCK day, it is natural to ask whether these com- In a world that relies on software to make a myriad of decisions that have far-reaching consequences for individuals, computer scientists Loris puter programs make fair decisions or how D’Antoni and Aws Albarghouthi are working to find ways to ensure that those decisions are fair and unbiased. these programs operate at all. The notions of fairness and transparency About the scholars ization.” A formalization is a powerful tool of computer programs have captured the that enables mathematical reasoning, and attention of a broad spectrum of experts: Loris D’Antoni is an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Sciences. His research this is the aspect our work builds upon. machine learning and theory researchers; centers on developing fundamental verification and synthesis techniques that help program- A formal model enables us to reason privacy researchers and investigative jour- mers write software that meets their intent. His work has applications to machine learning and about and understand fairness issues in nalists; law scholars and social scientists; computer networks. He teaches about programming languages, program verification and pro- automated decision-making. governmental agencies and non-govern- gram synthesis. Indeed, building atop such formal mod- mental organizations. els of fairness, we have developed auto- Notably, two recent White House reports Aws Albarghouthi is an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Sciences. His re- mated techniques that answer a number of warn: “Powerful algorithms ... raise the search focuses on automated synthesis and verification of programs, recently with an eye on thorny questions, including: Is a program potential of encoding discrimination in socially sensitive programs and properties, including fair decision-making, private data analysis fair? How can we fix an unfair program, automated decisions.” They recommend and socially aware robots. making it fair? How can we explain the that, “Federal agencies that use AI-based DISCOVER MORE results of complex programs in a way that systems to make or provide decision sup- „ go.wisc.edu/dantoni „ go.wisc.edu/albarghouthi „ go.wisc.edu/algorithms is human-understandable? And, how can port for consequential decisions about we help data scientists build fair decision- individuals should take extra care to ensure of decision-making programs, explain rea- edge of ethics and sociology. making tools? the efficacy and fairness of those systems, sons for unfairness, automatically elimi- Computer scientists, however, have re- The answers to these questions would based on evidence-based verification and nate unfairness, and make the decisions cently shown that several ideas from the not have been possible without the gener- validation.” made by these programs more transparent. fairness literature can be put into action. ous support from the National Science In our work, which is led by our student It is hard to decide whether something These abstract definitions can sometimes Foundation, which provided $1 million for Samuel Drews, we envision a world in is fair, and even talking about fairness re- be translated into mathematical models. investigating fairness and $750,000 for in- which we can automatically certify fairness quires one to have a well-grounded knowl- We often call this translation a “formal- vestigating transparency. mni_spc1_050320_01_w_025_00_01_nw.pdf 1 25-Apr-20 22:32:56 26 | SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 | WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL UW-MADISON COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS Quantum science holds promise for a computer revolution

e live in an age of information pro- W cessing in which computers play an irreplaceable role in daily life. The smartphone in our pocket that we use to stay in touch with family and friends, read the news, check the weather and find our way in a new place, is a more powerful computer than the world’s fastest machines that filled large rooms 50 years ago. MARK Modern supercomputers SAFFMAN with processing power that was previously unthinkable are tackling grand chal- lenges such as predicting the weather, designing new medicines and unlocking secrets of nature. The electronics technology that under- pins development of smaller and faster computing machines is now approaching the limit where every bit of data and ev- ery processing element consists of just a few atoms, and it might seem that further miniaturization will stop at this atomic scale barrier. Remarkably, computer progress at the atomic limit is not forced to slow down but is instead poised to take a great leap forwards in the domain of the quantum. Our scientific understanding of the world around us at the scale of everyday life builds on classical physics dating back centuries. At the level of single atoms that classi- cal physics no longer works, and we need the theory of quantum physics which was invented in 1925. WISCONSIN QUANTUM INSTITUTE When we build computers with bits This is a view inside the quantum computer in Mark Saffman’s lab. The grid is an image of an array of 121 atomic qubits that are the quantum and transistors made of individual atoms, processing unit. The atoms are cooled by laser beams, held in place by other laser beams, and then directed to perform computations with yet their behavior is described by quantum more laser beams. physics, and it is very different from that of our usual classical world. In a classical digital computer data is companies large and small, including like eggs in a carton. We use laser beams About the scholar stored as binary bits, either 0 or 1. In a ColdQuanta here in Madison, are invest- to control the atoms, prepare combina- Mark Saffman quantum computer, built from atoms we ing billions of dollars in this new technol- tions of 0 and 1, and perform calcula- is a professor in the Depart- have quantum bits, or qubits, that can be ogy. tions. ment of Physics. His research interests include any combination of 0 and 1 at the same We are now on the verge of quantum The computer doesn’t look anything atomic physics; quantum computing with time. machines surpassing classical comput- like what we are used to, and it is still a neutral atoms; quantum optics; entanglement; This sounds crazy, but it is a fundamen- ers for very specialized tasks, and there is research project that is far from being nonlinear optics; solitons; and pattern forma- tal feature of the quantum world which strong hope that real-world problems will practical. Other groups on campus are ex- tion. His laboratory conducts research on use lies at the heart of the ability of a quantum be solved within a decade. ploring alternative approaches and there of neutral atoms for quantum information pro- computer to process data millions of times At UW-Madison, we are pioneering the is a growing community of researchers cessing. He is also chief scientist for quantum faster than any conceivable classical com- science and technology for future quan- collaborating to make quantum computers information for the Colorado-based firm Cold- puter. tum computers. a reality. Quanta, which also has a Madison office. Researchers around the world are cur- In my research group we are building a You can learn more about what we do at DISCOVER MORE rently in a race to build a practical quan- computer with a few hundred individual The Wisconsin Quantum Institute: wqi. „ go.wisc.edu/saffman tum computer. Governments as well as atoms trapped in a pattern of light, much wisc.edu. „ go.wisc.edu/quantumscience UW-MADISON COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL | SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020 | 27 LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION Broad educational offerings unlock opportunities liberal arts education rec- About the student ognizes that we have a di- A verse range of interests and Claire Evensen, of Verona, will grad- encourages us to pursue all of uate this month with a bachelor’s de- them. gree in biochemistry and mathemat- You wouldn’t know it from my ics, with comprehensive honors (hon- major studies in biochemistry ors in biochemistry and in the liberal and applied math, but humani- arts). She is also a Marshall Scholar, ties have been a central part of a Goldwater Scholar, an Astronaut my student experience. I’ve been Scholar and was a finalist for the a member of the Clarinet Studio prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. Next and Wind Ensemble since my fall, she plans to begin a master’s de- freshman year and am grateful gree program in mathematical mod- that we have a music school that eling and scientific computing at the is so welcoming to students who University of Oxford in England. want to keep music in their lives. I’ve also taken classes ranging Once we leave UW-Madison, from 20th century Indian culture we will have to work much harder to the rise of internet infrastruc- to find these diverse learning ture disparities to African story- opportunities, so a liberal arts telling traditions. education can be a once-in-a- Some of these classes are lifetime opportunity. mainstays of a UW-Madison lib- As some universities are eral arts education and connect shrinking or eliminating human- generations of Badgers; my mom ities departments, it’s important took that same African storytell- that leaders in science, technol- ing course. ogy, engineering and math make Unfortunately, liberal arts a conscious effort to fight this education is facing challenges trend by emphasizing concrete as some universities shift their ways in which the sciences and focus toward preparing students the humanities strengthen one for particular career paths. another. This shift ignores one of the Work in this area is exciting. most important aspects of a col- Recently, I’ve seen articles on lege education: exploration and how we can use mathematics to flexibility. model the origins and diversifi- College is a unique time; we’ve cation of human language, and moved past highly structured how linguistics is an essential course schedules in high school, tool for designing artificial intel- and we’re not yet to the point ligence machine learning pro- where we need to jump into the grams. workforce. To me, a love of learning is If there was ever a prime time reflected by people who are en- to support the love of learning, gaged in something, big or small. college is it. When else will an I’m surrounded by these peo- aspiring computer scientist have ple every day at UW-Madison, the chance to read a wide range and I’m so happy to be a part of of Asian-American literature, or a campus determined to ensure a future French teacher have the that we don’t just earn a degree, chance to take a class on climate but that we leave here as broadly SHEYENNE TUNG change? educated global citizens. Claire Evensen