Sociology, Department of Sociology,1180 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706

Born in Los Angeles but bred in Milwaukee, I am a dissertator in the Sociology department. My work focuses on how we conceive of, and attempt to control, “the obesity epidemic”, especially for children at public schools. To examine this, I’m conducting interviews at a major metropolitan school district to see just how ideas turn into policies, and how these policies affect children of different backgrounds. When I’m not working on my dissertation, I love to sing, and have done so professionally on and off since I was a teenager. I’m also an avid knitter, and will probably make you a hat and scarf if you ask nicely. My Swedish meatballs have won awards.

Spanish department, trajkovic@wisc.edu

Born and raised in Belgrade, Serbia. I am a dissertator in the Spanish department. My current research focuses on cultural production after the 2001 economic crisis in Argentina, specifically the impact it had on young and emerging authors and their narratives. I am also interested in cultural studies, memory studies and film studies.

After four years in Madison, my close friends finally know how to pronounce my name. It’s been a terrible struggle! On my end, I think that the use of articles in English language is somewhat ridiculous and unnecessary.

I love to listen to music, go to Sundance on Tuesdays, travel as much as I can, skype with my friends, hang out with my godchild, read books on Thursdays with my friends…

Biomolecular Chemistry, markwstaudt@yahoo.com

I was born and raised in southeast Texas, and I attended UT-Austin for my undergraduate degree. Coming from the gulf coast, Wisconsin has been quite an adjustment. I remember I had to borrow a jacket from my uncle when I came to interview. Luckily, though, the people up here are great and, aside from the weather, I’m really growing to love Madison.

Currently, I’m in the Biomolecular Chemisty (BMC) program here at UW. Our lab studies the sexual cycle of a human fungal pathogen (Cryptococcus neoformans). The fungal spore that results from this sexual cycle is believed to be the infectious agent. It follows that insights into the mechanisms that control sexual development in this organism promise to enhance our understanding of its infection and subsequent disease state.

History, rdellobet@wisc.edu

I was born and raised in Barcelona ( Spain ). I am dissertator in the History Department. My work is about creole politics in Manila at the end of the 18th and early 19th centuries. My areas of interest are Southeast Asia and colonial Latin America histories. When I am not working I love traveling as far as I can from home and to read and write poetry. Coming from a city full of public transportation like Barcelona , I don’t know to drive and I enjoy walking. Also, I love hiking in National Parks when I have someone to drive me.

Genetics - Botany, 220 Birge Hall, 430 Lincoln Dr., Madison, WI 53706,tmartins@wisc.edu

Although born an raised in Brazil, I spend the last ten years in the Midwest: I received my BS from Western Michigan University and now I am a fourth year graduate student in the Genetics department here at UW. I really enjoy living in Madison, but the winters can be a little too long, so I try to go back home every couple of years (always during winter, of course). For my graduate work, I chose to study phenotypic adaptation at the genetic level in a California wild plant, Clarkia gracilis. I am trying to identify genes involved in an ecological important trait, petal spots, and how changes in these genes allow for the formation of spots in Clarkia flowers. When not working in the lab, I like to read (especially American history and politics), dance, and travel as often as I can.

Cell and Molecular Biology, CMB Program, 413 Bock Laboratories, 1525 Linden Drive| Madison, WI 53706, acbateman@wisc.edu

I grew up in West Salem, Wisconsin, and I am starting my 4th year as a PhD student in the Program for Cell and Molecular Biology. After doing my undergraduate at St. Olaf College in Minnesota, I spent a year studying and working in Norway before returning to Wisconsin for graduate school. My main interests outside of the lab are music (playing and listening) and spending time in the outdoors (biking, hiking, camping, kayaking, and cross-country skiing in the winter). I also love international travel, and after many trips to Europe I’m now hoping/planning a months-long tour of South America.

My research focuses on species specificity and interspecies transmission of influenza viruses, with particular emphasis on factors that control swine influenza virus infectivity. This work will shed light on ways in which new viruses enter the swine population, and should provide a better understanding of ways in which new viruses could enter the human population as well.

Chemistry, partridge@wisc.edu

I was born in NYC but raised in South Carolina and Virginia. I received my B.S. in chemical engineering from Virginia Tech (Go Hokies!) in 2004. I moved to Madison to pursue my Ph.D in organic chemistry. I quickly discovered that had no idea what “winter” really means, although I have learned to adapt. When not in lab, I enjoy hanging out with my friends, reading, and cheesy movies. I also love activities that involve fresh air and sunshine, in particular cycling and hanging out at the terrace (in good weather).

As an organic chemist, I am investigating new reaction methodologies, or new ways of putting molecules together. My lab studies the chemistry of oxaziridines in the presence transition metal catalysts. I have discovered that N-sulfonyl oxaziridines react with alkenes in the presence of oxophilic Lewis acids to generate 1,2-isoxazolidines. These heterocycles arise from the dipolar cycloadditions of a novel class of transient N-sulfonyl nitrones.

Department of Forestry and Wildlife Ecology,1630 Lindren Drive, Madison, WI 53706, prishchepov@wisc.edu

Raised in Russia and inspired by beauty of St. Petersburg (Leningrad), I also had a wonder about different places on the Planet and travelled a lot. Although I received my BSc, MSc in Atmospheric Science -Meteorology (the Russian State Hydrometeorological University in St. Petersburg) I always was interesting in new technologies and tools such as the use of satellite images. After one year of USDS non-degree graduate program in Environmental Studies at the Oklahoma State University (Pistol Pete rules!)in 2005 I joined PhD program at the Forest Ecology Department in UW-Madison studying the effect of socio-economic changes on land use change in Eastern Europe (many thanks to NASA).

Intermix of cosmopolitan life in the cultural capital of Russia, northern beauty, forest and lakes made me easy to accomodate in Madison and its surroundings. While I don’t have much time for the extensive travels upon pursing PhD, small breaks and exploring the off-biten paths around Madison and hiking give me a real retreat. I love ethnic music (Pelageya, Synthesis, bluegrass sounds). I enjoy reading, mainly about general history, environmental history and war battles. I also like thoughtful and controversial movies such as Andjei Waida’s “Katyn” or Peter Joseph’s “Zeit Geist”. Using free access archives in the United States I am doing a bit of genealogic research and I was proud to find out that one of my ancestors, being as a Russian navy officer got an appointment with George Washington! Since I really like home made food, I try to cook simple food, but with different ingredients. It wouldn’t be surprise one day to invent the receipe of borsch with halapenios :) Cheers!

Zoology, lrmoyerh@wisc.edu

I grew up in River Falls, WI, and attended UW-Madison as an undergraduate. I have conducted research on Yellow-bellied marmots at Rocky Mountain Biological Lab in Gothic, CO, and most recently on the American pika in Glacier National Park, MT. This research was focused on environmental and biophysical factors that influence the ranges and densities of these small alpine mammals. I also worked on and off campus to increase the reach and effectiveness of environmental education, especially as it relates to climate change and our current mass extinction crisis. I believe it is imperative for our education systems to include more emphasis on forging connections between students and the natural world. We must clarify for students the relationships between consumer choices, eating habits, exercise outdoors and general personal and environmental well-being.

I enjoy travels abroad, especially to natural wonders or wilderness areas, and meeting local people in small out-of-the-way places. My favorite experiences along these lines took place in Southeast Asia and Central America. I also had a terrific time in Europe backpacking through the southern Alps and Pyrenees. I like to climb mountains, backpack, play games, play sports, watch the Packers and read fiction.