Together with UW–Madison, we recruit top scientific talent, build powerful research collaborations and create shared resources to keep Wisconsin science at the leading edge.

As an independent institute, Morgridge can move quickly to follow interesting and important biological questions, wherever they may lead.Yet we have the best of two worlds. We are deeply engaged with one of the world’s preeminent public research universities and work strategically with the biomedical research community at UW–Madison.

With great foresight, our benefactors John and Tashia Morgridge expressly built into our endowment a component that allows us to invest in new initiatives. We evaluate and choose new ideas that reflect shared priorities with the university.This effort has led to thriving campus partnerships in metabolism research, bioimaging, mass spectrometry, research computing, stem cell science and science communication, among others.

We also exist in a unique culture. The Wisconsin way of doing things is different from many other places, where policy and direction are often determined top-down. People here build coalitions to get new ideas off the ground, which results in strong, grassroots support.

We think this approach unleashes the best ideas to advance human health.

By the Numbers

50+

New research ventures launched between Morgridge postdocs and UW–Madison investigators since 2015

500+

Number of campus scientists who belong to the Morgridge Metabolism Initiative, a collaborative hub for metabolism researchers since 2015

82

Number of academic departments and programs that have employed high-throughput computing in their research since 2017

Partnership Stories

Found in translation at HTC26: Throughput computing addresses new needs in AI, astrophysics

Found in translation at HTC26: Throughput computing addresses new needs in AI, astrophysics

The fourth annual Throughput Computing Week brought an international research community to the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus on June 9-12 to assess challenges across science that demand a unique approach to computation.

SCI Lab: Finding common ground on divisive science

SCI Lab: Finding common ground on divisive science

As a scholar on societal perceptions of scientific research, Dominique Brossard focuses a lot of energy on divisive, challenging and controversial topics. But her ultimate goal is to find the "rock" we all stand together on.

Congratulations to our 2026 graduates

Congratulations to our 2026 graduates

More than 20 members of the Morgridge Institute community graduated with degrees from University of Wisconsin–Madison this year. A few reflect on their time at Morgridge and shout out their mentors. We wish all the 2026 grads the best of luck on their journeys ahead!

Science Expeditions Campus Open House brings STEM wonder to the whole family

Science Expeditions Campus Open House brings STEM wonder to the whole family

The Discovery Building and other venues across campus brought the magic of STEM discovery to visitors of all ages at Science Expeditions Campus Open House, a flagship spring event for science engagement.

Muscle matters: Highlights from the 20th annual Wisconsin Stem Cell Symposium

Muscle matters: Highlights from the 20th annual Wisconsin Stem Cell Symposium

Regeneration research took center stage at the 20th annual Wisconsin Stem Cell Symposium, held April 15 just outside of Madison. An audience of 240 people heard from leaders in the field about promising steps towards regenerative medicine — and the burning basic science questions they’re still tackling.

The Art of Seeing More: A Fearless Science Forum

The Art of Seeing More: A Fearless Science Forum

At "The Art of Seeing More" on March 10, a panel of experts came together for the Morgridge Institute’s Fearless Science Forum series to explore how scientists and artists challenge the limits of human perception.

UW Madison Crest

A Unique Model for Training the Next Generation

The Morgridge Postdoctoral Fellowship program brings Morgridge Institute investigators and UW–Madison faculty members together as co-advisors of specially awarded postdoc trainees who propose new lines of interdisciplinary inquiry. Since its inception in 2015, the program has:

  • Created more than 50 new linkages between investigators who had not worked together before
  • Connected Morgridge to more than 20 departments throughout the university in seven schools and colleges
  • Produced over 80 publications

Learn more about our partnership with UW