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Growing the Future
The University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is an engine of scientific discovery, with researchers working across the spectrum of agricultural and life sciences. Academically, the college offers research-based, hands-on teaching of undergraduates; world-class graduate programs rich in research and project assistantships; and short courses, workshops and other programs. Our outreach activities bring the work of the college to Wisconsin businesses, organizations and communities throughout the state. Learn more about CALS.
The end goal is to help decision-makers make better, more sustainable, more precise decisions…to help folks better time and space their pest interventions.
Emily Bick
CALS Faces
Emily Bick
Emily Bick is an entomologist. She’s also something of a spy. Using a novel detector, Bick can listen in on insects as they nibble crops. It’s an impressive feat, a kind of superhuman hearing for researchers. A sensor aboveground can overhear an insect gnawing on the root of a plant. That ability, as well as a background in computer coding, helps Bick take data from the detectors and figure out how best to manage pest interventions. Bick’s interest in insect detection began as a postdoc when she worked with entomological lidar, an expensive remote sensing method that takes measurements using a laser. She quickly realized that more cost-effective pest sensors were needed. Given her interest in detectors and experience with computer modeling, Bick found an open position at CALS to be the perfect fit. She joined the college in July 2022.
Read more about Bick and her Insect Eavesdropper detector: go.wisc.edu/1x2wtn
CALS Social
Some highlights from the CALS Graduation Celebration! 🎓🎉 Thank you for celebrating with us and congratulations!!! We are so proud to call you @uwmadison alumni. 👐
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CALS Social
Mason Polencheck spends his days searching lakes and streams for mudpuppies — reclusive, little-known salamanders. Mudpuppies have been the focus of Mason’s undergraduate research since sophomore year, where he developed and now leads a detailed research project to look at the skin microbiome of mudpuppies.
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CALS Social
For decades, CALS has worked closely with family farms to ensure healthy potato harvests. Our researchers are tackling disease prevention and management and the Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program provides farmers with high quality seed stock. Together, we’re not just growing our food — we’re growing our futures at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. One Wisconsin. #OnWisconsin.
CALS Social
The spring 2025 issue of Grow magazine is available online! Stories include an undergraduate in pursuit of a reclusive salamander, converting emotional connections with lakes and rivers into numbers, Grandparents University, and so much more. Read it now at grow.cals.wisc.edu.
