Research events and announcements
Register by Sept. 10 for the 2025 Machine Learning Marathon – a 12-week applied ML/AI hackathon at UW–Madison
The 2025 Machine Learning Marathon (MLM25) is a 12-week applied ML/AI hackathon at UW–Madison. Participants form teams of 2–5 and work on real-world challenges in areas like sustainable AI, protein modeling, brain decoding & signal processing, biodiversity image clustering, retail forecasting, and more. The event includes workshops, advisor support, AWS credits, and cloud training. Open to anyone with ML, Python, and Git+GitHub fundamentals (enough to collaborate on a team).
Explore 2025 Challenges: Review challenge-specific prerequisites and find something that fits your skills, interests, and learning goals: ml-marathon.wisc.edu/challenges
Register individually by Sept 10. Tickets are limited and available on a first-come basis — we recommend registering early to secure your spot. Team registration isn’t due until Sept. 18th (1 week after kickoff). Learn more and register: ml-marathon.wisc.edu
Interested in advising a challenge? Reach out (endemann@wisc.edu) —we’d love a few more advisors to support teams this fall.
10th Annual PostDoctoral Research Symposium, Sept. 20
Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Showcase, 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 25
The annual Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Showcase (WES) returns to campus this month.
Three exceptional Badger alumni share their entrepreneurial journeys, leadership insights and how their UW–Madison experiences set them on the road to success. Hear from UW founders of companies, including student-led startups, from natural pet food to healthcare AI and Gen Z talent.
• Chris Fernandez ’14, MS’15, Co-Founder, Executive Chairman, and Chief Research Officer, EnsoData
• Nick Lawton ’24, Co-Founder & CEO, SideShift
• Marie Moody ’90, Founder, Stella & Chewy’s
Location: Discovery Building, 330 N. Orchard St.
Free and open to UW–Madison students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the public. Pre-registration is requested.
Learn more and register at: https://d2p.wisc.edu/wisconsin-entrepreneurs-showcase/
Waisman Whirl Run, Walk & Roll for All Abilities 2025: 9-11 a.m. Sept. 27
Location: Waisman Center
5k run, walk or roll, and 1 mile walk or roll course
Proceeds benefit individuals and families affected by developmental disabilities and neurodegenerative diseases.
Online registration will close at noon on Friday, September 26, 2025.
Same day, on-site registration available beginning 8:00 am on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
” Commercial Space Flight: Opportunities for Materials/Manufacturing” Seminar, Oct. 6
Join Dr. David B. Williams, Ph.D., Director, Global University Research & Industry Partnerships at the Voyager Institute for Space, Technology and Advancement (VISTA) at The Ohio State University
3-4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6
AB20 Weeks Hall, 1215 W. Dayton St.
For more information or call (608) 262-1044
Seminar hosted by SSEC and OVCR.
Wisconsin Science Festival: Oct. 16-26
This year’s theme is “‘Rock and roll’ – a play on words—it’s not just about sound and music, but also about the geology that shapes Wisconsin, the physics of motion, and the creative energy that drives discovery, says Samantha Mulrooney, Director of the Wisconsin Science Festival at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery. While events related to the feature are not required for participation, it’s designed to inspire a wide range of programs and events across disciplines.
Organizers also unveiled a fresh new look for wiscifest.org, where visitors can now explore expanded resources, ideas for event programming, and register as event hosts for the 2025 festival. This year’s festival will feature 10 full days of hands-on activities, lab tours, community talks, nature walks, and the unexpected discoveries that festival-goers have come to love.
35th Institute on Aging Annual Colloquium: 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Oct. 16
Location: Gordon Dining & Event Center (2nd Floor)
Showcasing the latest research and resources on positive aging, with Speakers, a Poster Session, and a Health & Resource Fair.
The event is free and open to the public.
Registration will close Monday, Sept. 29
BadgerConnect Research Services Fair (Free event), 12:45 to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 21
Location: Health Sciences Learning Center (HSLC) Atrium
NEW THIS YEAR: Instrument demonstrations, giving you a closer look at cutting-edge technologies and how they can support your research.
For more information and to register, visit the BadgerConnect webpage.
For questions, please email badgerconnect@cancer.wisc.edu.
Sustainability Symposium: Oct. 29 (Save the Date)
The fourth annual UW–Madison Sustainability Symposium will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at Union South. The event will feature lightning talks, poster sessions, and a keynote address on health and sustainability.
Hosted annually in partnership with Facilities Planning & Management, the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University Lectures, and the UW Environmental Awareness Fund, the Sustainability Symposium provides a space to share research on sustainability, generate ideas, and inspire collaboration. Questions? Please email Will Erikson.