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University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Wednesday, November 19, 2008
UW professor named to Obama’s transition team By Jessica Feld THE DAILY CARDINAL
DANNY MARCHEWKA/THE DAILY CARDINAL
Bucky Badger was on hand during the 10-year celebration of UW-Madison stem-cell researcher James Thomson’s human embryonic stem cell breakthrough Tuesday at the Overture Center.
Celebration recognizes 10 years of stem cells By Andrea Carlson THE DAILY CARDINAL
University officials celebrated the past 10 years of breakthrough discoveries in the area of stemcell research by James Thomson at the Overture Center for the Arts Tuesday. Thomson, who was named by TIME Magazine as one of the world’s most influential people in May, is the director of regenerative biology at the Morgridge Institute for Research on campus. He is also a professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Thomson began his research in Wisconsin by deriving human embryonic stem cells from monkeys, which led to the development of stem cells into primitive blood cells. These cells eventually became red and white blood cells and platelets.
The developments helps current scientists in the fight toward finding treatments and cures for diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. “This research made Wisconsin the birthplace of stem-cell research, with the best and the brightest researchers who continue to lead the world,” Gov. Jim Doyle said in a video to the attendees. Thomson and various other researchers started on the next stage of stem-cell research by using skin cells to create new stem cells. Because of their work, new centers have been established around Wisconsin in which scientists work to find treatments to save lives. According to Doyle, Wisconsin now has 35,000 workers involved in bioscience research and industry, which contribute about $9 billion to the economy of
Wisconsin —$38 billion of which goes toward federal research support for stem cells. “Stem-cell research not only represents the promise to save lives and improve health but its also created new economic opportunity for the state,” Doyle said. In his speech, Thomson addressed the Wisconsin Idea, which serves to better the state through the work of the UW System. Thomson said his job is to attempt to solve problems relating to the health and quality of life for the people of Wisconsin. Thomson said he is proud of the research he has done but does not like to look at the past. “I prefer to look at the next 10 years,” he said. “I think that we have been a key player in [scientific research] in the past and I’d love to stay in the Wisconsin community.”
University prepares for snowy winter with Snow Action Days By Erin Banco THE DAILY CARDINAL
In light of last year’s record snowfall, university officials are beginning preparations for the coming winter. The university’s snow removal efforts will provide clearer sidewalks, walkways, bus stops and parking lots. Snow removal crews have been instructed to clear entrances for the disabled first. During a Faculty Senate meeting in April, Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Alan Fish, said last winter was “tough” and that the university did not do well with snow removal on some of the snowiest days. With com-
IMAGE COURTESY UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
plaints from several community members, he said officials would benchmark snow removal from schools such as Michigan Tech,
Buffalo and Syracuse. “After last winter, we reached out to the university and sought ideas for how to keep the campus clear and slip-free and studied how other large, snow-belt campuses deal with snow removal,” Fish said in a statement Tuesday. With the first big snowfall, university officials plan to commence a “Snow Action Day,” which will be announced on the university’s home page to alert the campus community and allow crews to successfully remove snow. However, the initiation of Snow snow page 3
A UW-Madison professor of law and bioethics was appointed to President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team Friday. R. Alta Charo, a prominent university researcher who was previously a member of former President Bill Clinton’s Bioethics Advisory Commission, will serve on Obama’s Health and Human Services team. Charo confirmed her appointment via e-mail, but said she could not provide further comments at this time. Norman Fost, UW-Madison professor of medicine and public health and a colleague of Charo, said her CHARO appointment was because of her nationally and internationally recognized expertise on ethical, legal and policy issues involving health care. According to Fost, Charo is a wellknown advocate for stem-cell research. As chair of a National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine committee, she plays a leadership role in writing stem-cell research guidelines. Carl Gulbrandsen, managing director of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, which pro-
vides funding for Charo’s research, said her appointment speaks well of the university. “From my perspective, I don’t think they could have chosen anyone better,” Gulbrandsen said. “She’ll do a great job and be a great ambassador for the university.” For decades Charo has been a longstanding supporter of pro-choice policies and has served as an advisor to the Guttmacher Institute, a national organization involved in reproductive rights, Fost said. UW-Madison junior Bryon Eagon, state coordinator of Students for Barack Obama, said he believes Charo’s appointment will provide the new administration with insight to the ethics behind stem-cell research. “Her new position shows that the Obama administration is ready to turn the page on President [George W.] Bush’s neglect to even explore potential life saving medical advances through embryonic stem-cell research,” Eagon said in an e-mail. Despite attention placed on stemcell research, once in office, Obama’s number one priority in Health and Human Services will be citizens’ access to health care, Fost said. “[Obama’s] heart is in the direction [of overturning the stem-cell research ban] but it will be a matter of tactics and strategy as to when or if he takes that on,” he said.
Fire victim commemorated by city with new safety ordinance By Anna Bukowski THE DAILY CARDINAL
The family of a UW-La Crosse student killed in a house fire on Bedford Street last year spoke Tuesday to commemorate their son and voice support for a city ordinance that aims to prevent future tragedies. A gathering at a Madison fire station marked the one-year anniversary of the fire that killed Peter Talen, 23, and injured three other UW-Madison students. Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4,
proposed the Peter Talen Memorial Ordinance at the Common Council meeting Tuesday night. Provisions of the ordinance include mandating tamper-resistant fire detectors and requiring 10-year lithium batteries to be installed. Talen’s family, of Plymouth, Wis., said they believe the proposed ordinance can create a safer environment in downtown housing. Talen’s father, Tim, said the ordinance means a “great deal to [his] ordinance page 3
BRAD FEDIE/THE DAILY CARDINAL
The family of Peter Talen, victim of a fatal Madison fire, joined Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, to introduce a fire-safety ordinance Tuesday.
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”