Boosting curiosity and optimism: Sam Davison honored for science outreach efforts

A man reclines in a chair with his feet on a table in a sunlit space with potted plants

Sam Davison, a second-year PhD student who researches biofuel at UW–Madison, says he hopes his interactions with the public make the world a little more interesting. Chelsea Mamott/Wisconsin Energy Institute

Sam Davison hopes to make the world seem a little more interesting and people feel a bit less pessimistic. If someone learns some science along the way, that’s just a bonus.

Davison, a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, is the recipient of the 2025 Outreach and Education award from the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center for his dedication to programming and outreach events.

The annual award recognizes GLBRC members who have demonstrated a spirit of generosity in sharing science with the public, including outreach programming, dedicating time in support of service activities, or sharing expertise with public audiences during their time in the GLBRC.

“Sam has gone above and beyond by sharing his time and talent with so many people through various outreach programs over the last year — from bringing GLBRC activities to events in city parks, to volunteering at large open house events on campus,” said Allison Bender, outreach program manager for GLBRC and the Wisconsin Energy Institute. “Sam really embodies the values of GLBRC and the Wisconsin Idea, and I'm grateful for his contributions."

A second-year PhD student in the Hittinger and Sato labs, Davison studies biofuel production and microbiological reactions to isobutanol. While isobutanol is a better biofuel than ethanol, it is also far more toxic to microbes that produce it.

Man in tie-died lab coat and black latex gloves injects liquid into a test tube

Sam Davison pipettes a sample into a tube to prepare it for testing. Chelsea Mamott/Wisconsin Energy Institute

In addition to his work in the lab, Davison is a regular volunteer at outreach events, including the Wisconsin Science Festival, Madison Parks Alive, Science Expeditions, and Grandparents University, where he builds connections through imagination and creativity.

“Sam is skilled at presenting science in a way that makes people feel welcome, valued, and respected,” said UW–Madison grad student Rose Lizzo, who received the 2024 outreach award.

Kids are quick to approach the booth, but Davison likes the extra challenge of capturing their parents’ attention too.

“By the end of it, even the adults are invested,” he said, remembering the ring of adults and children around the GLBRC table at the Madison Night Market, all equally interested in his presentation on beneficial pest management.

“His breadth of involvement with so many different outreach events is particularly noteworthy,” Bender said. “We are grateful for the time and talent he has dedicated to these efforts and are excited to acknowledge and celebrate it publicly.”