Project Summary:
Conferences are a valuable component of science, providing opportunities to disseminate knowledge, build networks, and participate in professional development. Due to funding challenges, many students and trainees in STEM fields are often unable to attend. The WiSER Conference was created by a grassroots effort to establish a conference that brings together all Wisconsin institutions, while removing economic barriers that prevent attendance.
The WiSER conference’s learning objectives are to: increase students’ knowledge of biomedical research in Wisconsin, disseminate science from all career levels, provide networking for attendees, and provide students with opportunities for healthcare-related Wisconsin jobs. To measure these outcomes, we will collect post-conference response data (post-event actions). Programming that will help us meet these objectives includes: a Career and Education Fair, a Keynote Address, research seminars, “Lunch with the Experts”, and two poster sessions. New and innovative research will be presented by this year’s keynote speaker, Dr. Ken Poss, Director of Regenerative Biology at the Morgridge Institute. The event's Poster Session will be an opportunity for trainees to garner experience delivering scientific information, for scientists to collaborate and network, and for everyone to learn about the science being done across the state.
Presentations will be judged, allowing for the opportunity to award exceptional presentations and to provide feedback to presenters. The 2025 Workforce Health Care Report highlights the increased demand for healthcare workers: nurses, physicians, physical therapists, pharmacists, dentists, and biomedical researchers. The WiSER Conference will provide a Career and Education Fair, where we have partnered with Career Services at UW to recruit employers and various academic programs.