New issue explores the people, programs and projects advancing science education at UWL

New issue explores the people, programs and projects advancing science education at UWL

Every issue of Science & Health News reminds us why we do this work; and this one is no exception. From the classroom to the construction site, from the Mississippi River to the wetlands of Wisconsin, our students, faculty and staff are proving once again what's possible when curiosity meets support.

We're proud to celebrate Professor of Biology Tisha King-Heiden, whose national award for undergraduate teaching in toxicology reflects two decades of mentorship that has shaped countless careers.

Her story sits alongside those of the students she and colleagues have inspired: Sadie Hickey, tracing a century of orchid-fungi relationships across the Upper Midwest; Dylan McCathie, growing proteins in the lab to unlock new understanding of gut health; and our Doctor of Physical Therapy students, whose research into postpartum care is already shaping better clinical practice.

This is what high-impact learning looks like at UWL: research that matters, mentorship that lasts and students who graduate ready to lead.

We're also building for the future. Construction is officially underway on the second phase of the Prairie Springs Science Center, a $194 million investment that will provide our students and faculty with 30 new labs and classrooms designed for discovery. And through our new partnership in the Corn Belt Ports Consortium, UWL is expanding its role as a regional leader in freshwater and maritime workforce education by building on the strength of our River Studies Center and Research Vessel Prairie Springs.

None of this happens without people who lead with purpose. Emma Gibbons is turning her passion for sustainable fashion into real change on campus and in our community, while Associate Professor Brian Kumm-Schaley offers a timely reminder that resilience and reflection matter just as much as productivity.

Together, these stories capture something bigger than any single achievement: a university community that keeps discovering, building and caring for one another. Thank you for being part of it.

Warm regards,

Dean Sudha