College of Engineering - University of Wisconsin-Madison

BME Seminar Series: Fabian Voigt, PhD
2026-04-20 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | 1003 (Tong Auditorium) Engineering Centers Building, 1550 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
Expanding the optical bag of tricks for (neuro)biology

Fabian Voigt, PhDPostdoctoral Researcher & Branco Weiss Fellow (2024-2029)Biolabs 2072Engert LaboratoryHarvard University

Abstract:Seeing is believing and thus, optical imaging techniques are extremely useful to study brain structure and function. I will present several projects aimed at providing the neuroscience community with better imaging instrumentation: These range from open-source light-sheet microscopes for imaging cleared tissue (http://mesospim.org) to novel multi-immersion microscope objectives that take inspiration from scallops and astronomical telescopes. In addition, I will present recent projects aimed at rapid 3D tracking of freely behaving fish larvae and for increasing the light-collection efficiency of single objective light-sheet microscopes.

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CBE Seminar Series: Sijin Li
2026-04-21 16:00 - 17:00
Sijin LiCornell UniversityIthaca, New York

Interactomics-driven discovery and characterization of plant natural product biosynthetic pathways in yeast

Plants are a rich source of small-molecule drugs and drug leads. Traditional methods for sourcing valuable plant natural products (PNPs) from their native producers are often limited by cost and inefficiency. Leveraging recent advances in synthetic biology and plant multi-omics analysis, our work has demonstrated that yeast is a viable platform for elucidating and reconstructing complex PNP biosynthetic pathways. We have developed an interactomics-driven strategy to capture post-translational protein-protein interactions between plant enzymes to elucidate pathways. Combined with prevalent genomics and transcriptomics analyses, this integrated approach led to the discovery and characterization of multiple PNP pathways from non-model plants, highlighting the potential of synthetic biology to revolutionize PNP-based drug discovery and development

ECE Distinguished Speaker Seminar Series: Professor Shanhui Fan
2026-04-22 15:00 - 16:00 | 2535 Engineering Hall, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, 53711
Opportunities in nanophotonics

2535 Engineering Hall

Abstract:Nanophotonic structures, in which the feature sizes are comparable or even smaller than wavelength of light, enables numerous new opportunities for the control of the properties of light. In this talk, Fan will discuss some of their recent works in utilizing nanophotonic structures for creating novel states of light, and for potential applications in computing and energy technology.

Shanhui Fan

Bio:Shanhui Fan is the Joseph and Hon Mai Goodman Professor of the School of Engineering at Stanford University. He did his undergraduate study in physics at the University of Science and Technology of China, and received his Ph. D in 1997 in theoretical condensed matter physics from MIT. His research interests are in nanophotonics. He has published over 750 refereed journal articles, given over 400 plenary/keynote/invited talks, and holds over 80 US patents. His recent awards include the R. W. Wood Prize from Optica, a Simons Investigator in Physics, and a Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship. He is a member of both the U. S. National Academy of Engineering and the U. S. National Academy of Sciences, and a Fellow of APS, Optica, SPIE, and IEEE.

ME 903 Graduate Seminar: Professor Wei Chen
2026-04-23 16:00 - 17:00 | 3M Auditorium, rm 1106 Mechanical Engineering Building, 1513 University Ave, Madison, 53711
The ME 903: Graduate Student Lecture Series features campus and visiting speakers who present on a variety of research topics in the field of mechanical engineering. Professor Wei Chen is a professor at Northwestern University.

Mechanics Seminar: Professor Jennifer Mitchel
2026-04-24 12:00 - 13:00 | 1227 Engineering Hall, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
The Mechanics Seminar Series is a weekly seminar given by campus and visiting speakers on topics across the spectrum of mechanics research (solids, fluids, and dynamics). Professor Jennifer Mitchel is a professor at Wesleyan University.

BME Seminar Series
2026-04-27 12:00 - 13:00 | 1003 (Tong Auditorium) Engineering Centers Building, 1550 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
Speaker TBA

ME 150th Celebration: Distinguished Alumni, Fred Kiekhaefer
2026-04-30 16:15 - 17:00 | 3M Auditorium, rm 1106 Mechanical Engineering Building, 1513 University Ave, Madison, 53711
To celebrate 150 years of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, the Department of Mechanical Engineering will feature distinguished alumni in mechanical engineering and engineering mechanics who have made a lasting impact on the field. Fred Kiekhaefer, who received his master’s (’72) in mechanical engineering, is the former President of Mercury Racing. To learn more about Fred Kiekhaefer’s experience, please join us for this installment of our ME 903: Graduate Student Lecture series.

Mechanics Seminar: Professor Bala Balachandar
2026-05-01 02:00 - 15:00 | 3M Auditorium, rm 1106 Mechanical Engineering Building, 1513 University Ave, Madison, 53711
The Mechanics Seminar Series is a weekly seminar given by campus and visiting speakers on topics across the spectrum of mechanics research (solids, fluids, and dynamics). Professor Bala Balachandar is a professor at University of Florida.
