
Taking a chemical approach, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a two-step method to convert the cellulose in raw biomass into a promising biofuel. The process, which is described in the Wednesday, Feb. 11 issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society, is unprecedented in its use of untreated, inedible biomass as the starting material.

This year's scholarships are awarded to:
Nidhi Doshi, John Leonard, Jia Luo, Ramanathan Muthukumar, and Khian Pua.
Congratulations!

Working on a current scientific issue with cutting-edge technology is unusual for an undergraduate. But not for the Wisconsin iGEM team, a group of 11 University of Wisconsin-Madison undergraduates researching biofuels for a synthetic biology competition.

When a heparin scare nearly brought a Wisconsin drug manufacturer's work to a grinding halt earlier this year, only a few places in the country could offer the kind of help the company needed to get going again.
Fortunately, one of them was just down the road on UW-Madison's campus.
Known as the National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison (NMRFAM), the research lab occupies a breathtakingly expansive room in the basement of the Biochemistry Addition building. There, it houses several large machines, known as NMR spectrometers, that can be used to study the structure of...

Hilldale Professorships are given to faculty who excel in scholarly activity and have records of outstanding research and show promise of continued productivity.
Congratulations Dr. Amasino on being selected for this honor. We are grateful for your many contributions to the University.

Congratulations Young Biochemists:
Sean McMaster (Weibel Lab)
Anneka Wiersma (Clagett-Dame Lab)
Charles Burns (Weibel Lab)
Khian Hong Pua (Raines Lab)
Sarit Klugman (Cox Lab)
Timothy Wendorf (Record Lab)

The 2008 ICAAC Young Investigator Awards recognize and reward early-career scientists for their research excellence and potential in microbiology and infectious diseases.
Congratulations Dr. Weibel

Career award: Exploring the Role of Kin28/Cdk7 in Triggering Sequential Histone and Polymerase Modifications
Congratulations Professor Ansari

Paul Cook has been chosen to receive the Louis and Elsa Thomsen Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship based on his excellent academic performance and research productivity during his graduate studies.

A class act!
The Graduate Mentoring Award honors a Biochemistry student who consistently provides quality guidance and scientific training in mentoring undergraduate students in their research efforts. This year's Mentoring Award is awarded to Clay Carlson of the Ansari lab.

This award is intended to recognize a Biochemistry graduate student who has consistently shown evidence of quality, commitment, and innovation in teaching. This year's Graduate Teaching Excellence Award is awarded to Mike Killoran of the Keck lab.

The Sigrid Leirmo Award is given to a graduate student or postdoctoral student who best exemplifies the spirit of Sigrid Leirmo. Sigrid received her PhD degree in Biochemistry in 1989 and was a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Bacteriology when she died tragically in an accident in 1990. This award acknowledges a graduate student or postdoctoral student who is acknowledged by her/his peers and advisors as one who displays clear promise as a research scientist. Most importantly, the award is to be designated in appreciation of the student's consistent willingness to...

This represents the highest level of recognition conferred by the Academy. Fellows of the Wisconsin Academy are elected for their high levels of accomplishment in their fields as well as a lifelong commitment to intellectual discourse.
Congratulations Doctor Kiessling

In selecting the Scholars, the Board looked for individuals who have already done important, innovative research and who have the potential for making significant contributions to biological research over an extended period of time.
Congratulations Professor Weibel

Aseem Ansari is the recipient of the UW-College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Pound Research Award.