Focus Area: Research

The project, Improving Ecological Modeling and Forecasting of Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases in Wisconsin, led by Johnny Uelmen, PhD, aims to improve how Wisconsin predicts, prevents and responds to tick-borne diseases. By integrating climate and environmental data, drone imagery and community-submitted tick samples, the team will develop advanced models to forecast when and where tick risks are highest. The project also analyzes ticks collected statewide to identify the diseases they carry and partners with local health departments and the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Epidemiology Center to provide tick-prevention kits, educational materials and community surveys, with a focus on rural and tribal communities. The goal is to give residents timely, accessible information that empowers them to protect themselves and ultimately reduce tick-borne disease incidence across Wisconsin. Collaborators include Alexandra Linz, PhD, and Jennifer Meece, PhD, of the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute.

The project, GATA2 Regulated Piezo1 Controls Uterine Serous Carcinoma Invasion, led by Daniel Matson, MD, PhD, investigates how the interaction between the proteins GATA2 and Piezo1 drives invasion in uterine serous carcinoma, a rare but extremely aggressive form of uterine cancer that contributes to cancer deaths among postmenopausal women. Building on findings that GATA2 may help predict which tumors are likely to recur, the study uses patient-derived cancer cells and mouse models to understand how these factors work together to promote tumor spread. By clarifying these mechanisms, the project aims to improve risk stratification, allowing clinicians to spare low-risk patients from unnecessary chemotherapy while directing more intensive treatment to those at highest risk. Collaborators include Lisa Barroilhet, MD, associate professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pam Kreeger, PhD, professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UW–Madison.

The project, Disrupting DNA Damage Repair to Potentiate the Efficacy of Radiopharmaceutical Theranostics Agents in Advanced Prostate Cancer, led by Reinier Hernandez, PhD, aims to improve outcomes for people with advanced prostate cancer by enhancing the effectiveness of next-generation radiopharmaceutical therapies. The initiative tests a new treatment strategy that pairs a highly targeted radiopharmaceutical, [²²⁵Ac]Ac-PSMA, with drugs that disrupt cancer cells’ ability to repair radiation-induced DNA damage. By identifying which tumor subtypes benefit most and determining the safest, most effective combination regimen, the project seeks to inform the design of future clinical trials.

The project, Defining the Role of Diabetes and Dysbiosis in Acute Laryngeal Injury After Intubation, led by Ruth Davis, MD, investigates why adults with diabetes are at higher risk for laryngeal injury after endotracheal intubation. With more than 1.5 million critically ill adults intubated each year, understanding the biological factors that influence healing is essential. Using patient samples and a mouse model, the study examines how diabetes, microbial imbalance and inflammation affect wound repair in the larynx. Findings will help guide the development of new therapies and preventive strategies to improve recovery and long-term health for people in Wisconsin and beyond. Collaborators include Susan Thibeault, PhD, CCC-SLP, professor, Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, and Federico Rey, PhD, professor, Department of Bacteriology, UW–Madison.

The project, Adapting and Feasibility Testing an Integrated Exercise Program as Part of First Episode Psychosis Coordinated Specialty Care, led by Shiri Raphaely, MD, adapts and pilots an integrated exercise and lifestyle program to improve physical and mental health outcomes for young people experiencing first episode psychosis. The initiative aims to address the significant cardiometabolic risks faced by individuals with serious mental illness. The project will develop a culturally appropriate 12-week program focused on physical activity, metabolic monitoring and wellness skills to prevent chronic disease and enhance overall well-being. Collaborators include Emilie Pinkovitz, LCSW, Wings Program Director, and Jacob Meyer, PhD, assistant professor, UW–Madison School of Education.

The Data Science to Promote Precision Medicine project will build a strong institutional data science core, with a focus on biomedical big data. This initiative will catalyze data-driven precision medicine research and translation to care at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH), to improve the health and well-being of Wisconsin residents, while strengthening the university’s role as a leader in precision medicine.

The goal of this project is to promote clinical and translational research to improve health in Wisconsin by expanding biomedical research. This project will expand infrastructure to engage a broad range of communities and populations in biospecimen research by combining community partnerships with expertise in community outreach, engagement, biospecimen science, biomarker development and bioinformatics.

Central venous catheters deliver life-saving treatments but can lead to serious bloodstream infections, including those caused by Candida auris, a drug-resistant fungal pathogen. This project will study how the stiffness of catheter surfaces impacts the body’s immune response and how well neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, and the body’s first responders for fighting infections, can detect and eliminate pathogens like C. auris. This innovative collaboration between experts in infectious disease and engineering experts could lead to the development of medical devices that better support the body’s natural defenses and reduce health care burdens in Wisconsin and beyond.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and related fibrotic lung diseases are life threatening, with limited treatment options and high mortality, leading to approximately 1,000 deaths annually in Wisconsin. This project investigates a promising new signaling pathway in the development of lung fibrosis involving protein modification to explore how a particular enzyme contributes to lung scarring and disease progression. The project team aims to uncover key fibrotic signaling pathways that could lead to more targeted therapies for IPF and other fibrotic diseases without affecting essential biological functions. Collaborators: Ksenija Bernau, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine

There is a strong connection between health literacy and health outcomes. Current informed consent practices may leave some patients feeling unheard and unprepared for surgery, contributing to poor health literacy. This project seeks to train surgeons at participating hospital systems to use Better Conversations, an evidence-based approach that helps patients and surgeons clearly discuss the goals and risks of surgery. This study will compare different training methods and explore ethical guidelines for future use of ambient artificial intelligence to support enhanced patient-surgeon communication. Findings will inform the expansion of Better Conversations as a statewide training program. Collaborators: Karola Kreitmair, PhD, associate professor, Department of Medical History and Bioethics, UW–Madison; Kristine Kwekkeboom, PhD, RN, FAAN professor, School of Nursing, UW–Madison; Amir Ghaferi, MD, MSc, MBA, FACS, FASMBS, professor, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin