About 125 undergraduate students from across the Universities of Wisconsin, along with their faculty advisers, showcased research projects at the 22nd annual Research in the Rotunda event held in the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison on March 11, 2026. (Photo credit: Universities of Wisconsin)
MADISON, Wis.—Today, the Universities of Wisconsin hosted the 22nd annual Research in the Rotunda event, bringing innovation and discovery to the Wisconsin State Capitol as about 125 exceptional undergraduate researchers, alongside their faculty advisers, presented research findings to the Governor, state legislators, business leaders, alumni, and the public.
This signature event, which took place in the Capitol Rotunda, offered a unique opportunity to learn about the impressive research being conducted by some of Wisconsin’s brightest students.
Attendees discussed a diverse range of projects, with detailed program information and research titles available on the official Research in the Rotunda website: wisconsin.edu/research-in-the-rotunda/.
“Undergraduate research accelerates learning in powerful ways, and it’s happening at UW universities across Wisconsin,” said Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman. “Through this work, our students build the skills employers across Wisconsin count on: critical thinking, adaptability, and the confidence to contribute from day one. Undergraduate research is also a launching pad to a career in academic research with the potential for groundbreaking discoveries.”
The event was made possible through the generous support of Kwik Trip, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, BioForward, the Wisconsin Technology Council, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, and the UW-Milwaukee Research Foundation. Additional support was provided by the Wisconsin Department of Administration and the UW-Madison Memorial Union.
Caption: About 125 undergraduate students from across the Universities of Wisconsin, along with their faculty advisers, showcased research projects at the 22nd annual Research in the Rotunda event held in the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison on March 11, 2026. (Photo credit: Universities of Wisconsin)
The Universities of Wisconsin serve more than 164,600 students. Awarding more than 37,000 degrees annually, these 13 public universities are Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. Nearly 90 percent of in-state Universities of Wisconsin graduates stay in the state five years after earning a degree. The universities provide a 23:1 return on state investment. The Universities of Wisconsin also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy. Learn more at wisconsin.edu.