Poster Contest
Global Day 2024’s Poster Contest is an opportunity for individuals to share their international research AND/OR international experiences with the wider campus community. There will be dedicated time for poster presenters to present and discuss their posters with the diverse group of attendees. Presenting a poster at Global Day 2024 is a noteworthy way to share expertise or accomplishment and showcase the international research, education, outreach, and experiences happening at UW-Madison.
WINNERS:
Perception of changes in agroecological practices of dairy farms by smallholders in Mexico and Peru
Name: Dante Pizarro
Co-Authors: Plata-Reyes, Dalia; Martínez-García, Carlos; Gomez-Bravo, Carlos, Picaso, Valentin; Wattiaux, Michel
Category: Research
Abstract: The FAO Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE) was developed to collect data on how the 10 Agroecological Elements (e.g., Diversity, Synergies, Efficiency) can contribute to sustainable food and agricultural systems. The third step of TAPE involves a participatory analysis of survey results with participant farmers. Our study aimed to assess the likelihood of change in agroecological practices and to determine the perception of workshop participants regarding actors responsible for these changes. We conducted a workshop in Aculco, Mexico (n=12 participants) and in San Martin, Peru (n=13 participants). Using a Likert-scale from -2 (Very unlikely) to 2 (Very likely), farmers rated their likelihood of changing agroecological practices. To identify actors responsible for these changes, farmers were tasked with allocating 10 points among 5 options: individual, community, or government at the municipal, regional, or central level. Median values were analyzed to compare countries with the Mann-Whitney U test. The likelihood of changing practices to strengthen Synergies was higher in Peru (P<0.01), whereas the likelihood of changes related to Resilience was higher in Mexico (P<0.05). Community as an agent of change was scored greater by farmers in Mexico than in Peru for Resilience, Culture & food traditions, and Co-creation & sharing of knowledge (P<0.05). However, the regional government was scored greater by farmers in Peru than in Mexico for Recycling, Resilience, and Co-creation & sharing of knowledge (P<0.05). This study highlights the interest of smallholder farmers in agroecology, emphasizing the importance of giving them a voice in shaping their future.
Tiny Earth: Student Sourcing Antibiotic Discovery
Name: Trang Tran
Co-Authors: DenHartog, Martel; Baskaya, Melis; Langley, Laura; Knowles, Mariah; Miller, Sarah; Handelsman, Jo
Category: Research
Abstract: Tiny Earth supports four of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals: (1) good health and well-being, (2) quality education, (3) gender equality, and (4) reduced inequalities. Tiny Earth is a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) that inspires and retains diverse students in the sciences while addressing antibiotic resistance, one of the most pressing global health crises of our century. By 2050, antibiotic-resistant bacteria are predicted to be the leading cause of death worldwide. Though our arsenal of effective antibiotics is rapidly dwindling, the pharmaceutical industry has largely abandoned antibiotic discovery, making it more important than ever for a crowdsourcing approach to discovery. Headquartered at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, Tiny Earth’s network of 800+ trained instructors (including 48 in Wisconsin) annually teach the research course to 16,000+ students in 30 countries. The college course engages students in antibiotic discovery through hypothesis-driven research to learn scientific practices and skills, problem solving, and experimental proficiency. Students collect soil samples from an area of their choosing, culture bacteria from the soil, screen them for antibiotic activity, characterize their biochemical profiles, and test the extracts for antibiotic activity. Each semester, students are invited to enter the data about their research findings into a shared public database and present their findings at the international Tiny Earth Symposium held in-person at WID (summer) and online (winter). The curriculum incorporates several evidence-based pedagogical practices that address antiracism, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (AJEDI) and trains instructors explicitly to incorporate AJEDI activities into their classrooms.
Water Distribution – Las Pencas & Las Mesas, Nicaragua
Name: Genevieve Kell
Co-Authors: Elizabeth Maly, Meghan Horan, Emma Sculles
Category: Experience
Abstract: Engineers Without Borders’ UW-Madison chapter is a student-led humanitarian engineering organization, with projects in Uganda, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Puerto Rico. The mission of our organization is to match student groups with communities to not only assist in solving civil engineering problems, but to create a mutually beneficial partnership between our students and community members. Our project, adopted through the UW-Madison chapter, is working to serve the people of Las Pencas and Las Mesas, two neighboring communities in Estelí, Nicaragua. These communities submitted a request for assistance in restoring and expanding their current water distribution system, as it no longer fits the needs of these communities. These communities have been expanding in both population size and physical space over the past three decades since the current water distribution system was implemented. As a result, water is being split between agricultural practices and in-home use, with an inequitable amount of water being distributed throughout the local taps. This project will incorporate the construction of a new water storage tank – placed at a higher elevation – accommodating a greater capacity given the growth of the community. Additionally, it will require an expansion of the current water distribution network that equitably outputs clean water to all household taps. Throughout the project, students will meet with community members to collaborate and educate one another to ensure the new system meets the needs of the communities and can be properly maintained for years to come.
From Coca to Cacao in the Colombian Amazon
Name: Geoffrey Siemering
Co-Authors: Orjuela, Daniella; Arriaga, Francisco
Category: Experience
Abstract: Following the peace accords between the Colombian government and the FARC Marxist rebel group, transitioning the economic base of the Colombian department of Guaviare from coca production to sustainable agriculture has been a priority for the government and USAID. This region is climatically well suited for cacao production and its low-cadmium soils guarantee a premium for exports. In this USAID Farmer to Farmer assignment, UW Madison soil scientists travelled to the Guaviare towns of Miraflores and San Jose to educate local farmers and conservation groups on soil fertility issues and soil sampling techniques as well as conduct soil analysis to provide them with baseline data from which to develop fertilization plans. Outreach materials were adapted from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization Soil Doctor’s program. Project PI, Geoff Siemering, travelled as a USAID volunteer and Soil Science Department PhD student, Daniela Orjuela, accompanied using UW travel funds. Combining efforts allowed twice the number of farms to be sampled as well as give the graduate student experience conducting outreach to international farming communities.
Participants:
Detecting growth of the wildland-urban interface across the Mediterranean Biome with Landsat satellite imagery
Name: Kira Pfoch
Co-Authors: Schug, Franz; Radeloff, Volker
Category: Research
Abstract: The Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), where human settlements meet wildland vegetation, is a critical area for fire risk, particularly in the fire-prone Mediterranean biome. I am working on an approach that involves employing synthetic unmixing to extract proportions of impervious surfaces, woody vegetation, and non-woody vegetation using Landsat data. Based on this information combined with different distance and density criteria of build-up surfaces and vegetation, I can then map the WUI across the Mediterranean biome. This technique not only provides essential information for mapping the WUI but also offers insights into fuel load and vegetation composition, crucial details for effective fire risk management.
Welcoming the World to UW-Madison!
Name: Moldir Oskenbay
Category: Experience
Abstract: The poster “Welcoming the World to UW-Madison! International Student Services – Connecting Cultures, Empowering Dreams” showcases the global presence of over 7000 international students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison through a world map. ISS acts as a vital link, aiding students from diverse backgrounds in their academic and personal endeavors. By offering various programs and resources, ISS ensures a seamless transition for international students, fostering a sense of belonging and support. ISS’s mission, centered on recognizing the significant contributions of international students, is realized through Advising, Compliance, and Global Engagement efforts. This commitment ensures students’ integration and empowerment within the university community. Through comprehensive advising and compliance services, ISS eases international students’ transition while promoting global engagement initiatives. ISS cultivates a globally inclusive community at UW-Madison, enriching the educational experience for all stakeholders. Through diversity celebration and cultural exchange advocacy, ISS enhances the university’s learning environment, fostering mutual respect and understanding among students, faculty, and staff.
Open Seat Food Pantry- A Resource for Every Student at UW-Madison
Name: Solomon Lubar
Co-Authors: Olsen, Naomi; Weidemann, Amelia
Category: Experience
Abstract: Food insecurity refers to a lack of access to consistent, affordable, diverse, nutritious, and healthy foods. Food insecurity exists on a spectrum. In Dane County, Wisconsin, an estimated 7% of individuals experience food insecurity. Achieving food security on University of Wisconsin-Madison’s campus is uniquely complicated by inflated grocery prices, rising housing costs, and time constraints for income-generation with academics. Food insecurity can negatively impact health and academic success. In response to limited food resources on campus, in 2016, a group of undergraduate students founded the Open Seat Food Pantry, UW-Madison’s first food pantry by students for students at East Campus Mall. In 2021, following growing need during the COVID-19 pandemic, Open Seat established a pop-up food distribution at the Eagle Heights Community Center. Open Seat’s goal is to provide consistent, stigma-free access to a variety of healthy, desirable foods and necessary hygiene products on campus year round. During 2023, Open Seat hosted over 7,500 visits. The majority of Open Seat shoppers are international, graduate students who have dependents, suggesting a high prevalence of food insecurity experienced by international students on UW-Madison’s campus. This may be due to high tuition fees, housing costs, and employment difficulties, among other factors. Through partnerships with food resources and organizations in Madison and on campus, we aim to alleviate food insecurity in culturally responsive ways. Our efforts promote health and well-being, ensuring all students on UW-Madison’s campus can focus on their studies rather than the source of their next meal.
Photo Contest
Global Day 2024’s Photo Contest is an opportunity for individuals to share their best photo with the wider campus community. Three winners will receive a $50 award and the top twelve finalists will receive a canvas print of their photo. The voting link will be available to attendees. View the finalist’s photos below! Submitting a photo at Global Day 2024 is a chance to be showcased on campus in print and digital media.
WINNERS:
Walking in the Sahara
Name: Allie Weber
Year Taken: 2022
Location: Sahara Desert, Morocco
Description: The Photo was take at the start of the Sahara Desert on the boarder of Morocco and Algeria. A group of study abroad students from Seville Spain booked a week long bus trip through Morocco. Other sights included, Fes, Meknes, and Tangier.
Learning Kazakh at UW-Madison
Name: Moldir Oskenbay
Year Taken: 2022
Location: Memorial Union Terrace
Description: The photo captures a moment at the Memorial Union Terrace where a Kazakh Language instructor and students are actively engaged in a Kazakh Language table during Central Eurasian Studies Summer Institute (CESSI) 2022. In the photo, the students proudly hold a Kazakh flag, at the Memorial Union Terrace, a vibrant space for cultural exchange and expression. The connection to the “Wisconsin and the World” theme lies in the diverse and inclusive atmosphere fostered by the UW-Madison. By hosting institutes like CESSI, the university emphasizes the importance of global perspectives and cross-cultural understanding. In this particular instance, the students contribute to the cultural richness of Wisconsin by sharing their language, traditions, and national pride on the Memorial Union Terrace. The photo encapsulates the university’s commitment to creating a global community where students from around the world come together to learn, exchange ideas, and celebrate their unique backgrounds.
Tuesday at The 시장
Name: Sylvia Miller
Year Taken: 2023
Location: Seoul
Description: Captured on one of my routine excursions to the market near my apartment studying abroad at Korea University in Seoul. Here, Seoul’s flavors are on display. Vendors and patrons exchange pleasantries and barter. Offerings from fish and spices to beef, fruit, and flowers adorn the stalls. Shopping at this market in Seoul allowed me to live and shop alongside locals, allowing for organic connection and ample room to practice my Korean.
Finalists:
Domingos en El Tepetate (Sundays in the Tepetate)
Name: Abbi Adams
Year Taken: 2023
Location: Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico
Description: Walking through the weekly market in Querétaro called “El Tepetate” where locals sell produce, clothing, and cooked food items.
The Edge of Europe
Name: Alli Dawiedczyk
Year Taken: 2023
Location: Cabo da Roca, Portugal (the westernmost point of Europe)
Description: The skills and experiences a student can gain from attending UW Madison can take them anywhere they desire, even to the edges of Europe.
Cooking with Host Family
Name: Bella Thiel
Year Taken: 2023
Location: Milan, Italy
Description: In this photo, my host family and I hand make an Italian dish, similar to a calzone. We handmade the dough, stuffed cheese and meat inside, glazed them with Italian olive oil, and toasted them in the oven. Then, as usual, my whole host family and I sat around the living room table and talked in Italian while enjoying the delicious meal. You can see the vocab words on the whiteboard behind my host mom that I was learning, and also the words that I was teaching them in English. It was enriching to learn and engage in the Italian culture through language and food with my host family. I still talk to them today and miss them very much!
Women Move India Forward
Name: Calyn Ostrowski
Year Taken: 2022
Location: Mumbai, India
Description: In a cab during a GHI work trip to India, I saw these women in Mumbai walking to work passing by an inscribed memorial of the country’s constitution. The group of women in
their beautifully saris remind me of the impact Indian women make in advancing global health and women’s rights.
Summer Launch Ireland: Battles, Borders, & Bogs
Name: Eloise Massee
Year Taken: 2023
Location: County Tipperary in Ireland
Description: The Scohaboy Bog restoration project is an attempt to revive sacred bog land that has been damaged due to agriculture and peat fuel harvesting. The project is funded through the European Union and is managed by Coillte, an Irish state-owned forestry business. As explained by the tour guide, it will take over 10,000 years to regrow the bog and, initially, some
efforts to preserve the bog were not beneficial—nonnative trees planted in the bog have become invasive species and pose a challenge for conservationists. Similar to in the United States, this shows the systemic disconnect between scientists conducting research and leaders making decisions about the allocation of funds.
Research on a Remote Island
Name: Jessica Randall
Year Taken: 2023
Location: Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve, Belize
Description: I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to conduct my own research in Belize on a remote coral reef while learning about the unique culture. Over the semester, our class developed research projects and then traveled to Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve to conduct our research in the summer. This picture is us heading out for a full day of research with our snorkel and research equipment. We spent hours out on the water in the heat, but it was all worth it. My group explored the accumulation of microplastics, concluding there is a significant difference between the number of microplastics in organisms and their surroundings. This finding further highlights the profound impact of human activity on marine life and, consequently, ourselves. Currently, my group is working on getting our research published in the Journal of Undergraduate Science and Technology!
Blue Morning
Name: Kira Pfoch
Year Taken: 2022
Location: Washington State, Colombia River
Description: Exploring the wonders of Washington State and the Columbia River during a Wisconsin Hoofers trip, while traversing the U.S. by car. Witness the striking contrast between the inland, dry, ancient, and volcanic-rock dominated landscapes (which the photo shows), leading to the transition into the wetter and greener coastline adorned with its temperate rainforest beauty.
Rays in the Rainforest
Name: Laura Bettenhausen
Year Taken: 2024
Location: Arenal Volcano National Park in Fortuna, Costa Rica
Description: I took this photo while on a waterfall hike at Arenal Volcano National Park. We talked about rainforest conservation in Costa Rica during this visit.
A Monkey’s View of Kathmandu
Name: Marissa Hagen
Year Taken: 2023
Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
Description: Captured from the many steps up to the Swayambhunath Stupa, a playful monkey leaps over a sprawling view of the city of Kathmandu. Below, the city bustles with life, its
colorful buildings and winding alleyways showing the vibrant culture of Nepal. This dynamic snapshot captures the harmonious relationship between wildlife and human life in this beautiful landscape. This photo captures the essence of my study abroad experience, where unexpected encounters have enriched my understanding of cultures and landscapes. Like the monkey, I’ve embarrassed the unknown, leaping into new experiences and adventures beyond my comfort zone. Through this photo, I celebrate the spirit of adventure and exploration that defines my transformative experience in Nepal.
