WARF Ambassadors

The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) Ambassador Program enhances the vital connection between research on campus and technology transfer. Engaging students to serve as WARF Ambassadors augments WARF's visibility and presence among researchers on campus.

WARF Ambassadors receive training in WARF's technology transfer process and learn how to access resources offered by WARF and other campus organizations designed to support technology development and entrepreneurial activity. They spend five to 10 hours per month promoting awareness of WARF's role across campus and WARF's engagement with campus research through departmental seminars, informal contacts and more.

In addition, the ambassadors bring a new dimension to WARF's inventor mining project, which was developed to identify those scientists on campus who are creating potential inventions through innovative research but may not be familiar with WARF. The ambassadors are able to talk directly with graduate students and researchers in the labs and check out research posters throughout campus buildings.

Current Ambassadors


Gagan Gupta

Department: Computer Sciences
Major Professor: Guri Sohi
Email: [email protected]
Background: Studies key challenges in the design and programmability of future high performance computer processors; worked with WARF on two technologies that arose from his research with Guri Sohi.

Kate Helmich

Department: Biochemistry
Major Professor: John Ralph
Email: [email protected]
Background: Researches the structural characterization of several enzymes relevant to the use of cellulosic biomass as a fuel source; mentors undergraduates and teachers in independent research projects through the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center's education and outreach initiatives.

Samantha Lewis

Department: Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology
Major Professor: Joan Jorgenson
Email: [email protected]
Background: Studies a gene known as steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1), which may play a role in prostate cancer; participates in Discovery! Thursdays science outreach.

Maria Mikedis

Department: Cellular and Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Karen Downs
Email: [email protected]
Background: Studies the formation of the precursor cells of sperm and eggs in the early mouse embryo; first learned about WARF when licensing manager Andy DeTienne spoke to her regenerative medicine, ethics and society class.

Joseph Moore

Department: Chemistry (Chemical Biology)
Major Professor: Helen Blackwell
Email: [email protected]
Background: Researches quorum sensing-regulated virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa; learned about the Ambassador Program from former ambassador Julia Kennedy-Darling.

Shannon C. Roberts

Department: Industrial and Systems Engineering
Major Professor: John D. Lee
Email: [email protected]
Background: Studies driver distraction methods and mitigation with a particular focus on teenage drivers and feedback techniques to change driving behavior; previously served as the UW–Madison president-elect of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

Muhammad Shoaib

Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Major Professor: David A. Wood
Email: [email protected]
Background: Researches computer architecture with an emphasis on efficient interface designs for hardware accelerators; previously served as the president of the Pakistani Students Association at UW–Madison.

Ronen Weingarten

Department: Chemical and Biological Engineering
Major Professor: George Huber
Email: [email protected]
Background: Researches the aqueous phase production of fuels and chemicals from biomass-derived feedstock; became interested in the process of commercializing scientific discoveries after working with George Huber, who has worked with WARF in the past on biofuel-related technologies.