The Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative addresses significant, complex challenges of importance to Wisconsin and the world. On August 28, University of Wisconsin–Madison Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin announced that the newest area of focus for the initiative, called RISE-THRIVE, will be aimed at advancing health and improving lives. The UW School of Medicine and Public Health will play a significant role, as RISE-THRIVE is set to harness and grow the university’s reputation as a global powerhouse in interdisciplinary health research — translating both medical discoveries and innovative social science approaches into tangibly healthier lives for people in Wisconsin and around the world. The effort will focus on strengthening UW–Madison’s investments and leadership in two distinct yet complementary areas: the science of immunology and the study of healthspan, or the number of years a person is not only alive but healthy.
Hiring for the initiative will begin immediately, with approximately 80 hires over the next several years in various schools and colleges across UW–Madison.