I was sitting at one of my friends graduation ceremonies at the Kohl Center yesterday and there was the typical speakers that spoke to the students. There was one speaker, however, I felt did not understand what the University of Wisconsin-Madison is all about.
When I look at my experience here at this university, I look at the wonderful things that are going on here. The research and the exceptional teaching. The people changing the world around us. The University of Wisconsin-
Click here for more information on Teri Balser.
Madison is very much alive and thriving in this world of discovery.
Much of this discovery and teaching is taking place in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
You may have heard, but recently a soil science professor from CALS, Teri Balser, was named the U.S. Professor of the Year. Balser is a revolutionary professor that uses group projects, hands-on working environments, and guest lecturers to get through to her students. She is a great asset to CALS and is one of many reasons CALS is so great.
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Such hands-on teaching has also been used in several other classes across the campus including the Animal Science/Dairy Science 434 class. In this class students are able to actually artificially inseminate cows and track when it is best to do so. This hands-on teaching is what is making the University of Wisconsin-Madison such a great university.
Click here for more information on the next green revolution.
There is great research going on here at CALS as well. Research has been going on here at CALS that could sprout a new green revolution. The green revolution, which took place in the 1940′s increased crop yields tremendously. Patrick Masson, along with other researchers are now trying to do the same by improving root structures. This revolutionary work could help improve crop yields and feed the world in the coming years.
Click here for more information on Que Lan's research.
CALS professor, Que Lan, is fighting the terrible disease of Malaria that has killed millions. She is not creating a drug to cure this disease, but rather killing its host, the mosquito. Her research is quite promising and is hoped to reduce malaria levels in several countries. She has been given the nickname “The Exterminator” and plans to use her research to help people fight this disease.
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CALS has also been strengthened by collaborating on tasks. One such team includes neighbors and UW professors Jeremy Foltz and Sara Patterson, who together are working on stopping hunger in Africa through a tiny grain plant, called Fonio. This plant could help Africans and give them a new crop to farm. The only problem is that the seed shatters too soon thus reducing the yield by one-third. These two professors have been working together to combat this problem and hope to find the answer soon.
These are some of the amazing things going on at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is the reason why the graduates that come from the UW are sought after so heavily. The hands-on teaching that happens from the professors that are making these discoveries is phenomenal. UW-Madison is about moving the world forward, not only through our research, but also equipping our graduates with tools to succeed and solve the world’s problems.
