UW-Madison Dept of Bacteriology
Kenneth B. Raper Symposium
The Kenneth B. Raper symposium has been presented annually by the Department of Bacteriology since 1986. This symposium highlights microbiological research at UW-Madison. It is funded by a generous gift from Dr. Raper's wife, Louise Raper, who endowed the Kenneth B. Raper Memorial Fund for the purpose of supporting a one-day symposium in Dr. Raper's honor.
Kenneth B. Raper was a professor in the Department of Bacteriology from 1953 until his retirement in 1986. Dr. Raper was a pioneer in the study of microbial eukaryotes, including Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Dictyostelium. His work during the World War II era to produce penicillin in large quantities was critical for treating combat injuries and helped launch "the Age of Antibiotics". Dr. Raper was a member of the National Academy of Science (1949) and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1949). Among his many honors, he was the first recipient of the Charles Thom Award from the Society of Industrial Microbiology (1967). He passed away in 1987.
The symposium attracts approximately 200 microbiologists from UW-Madison, elsewhere in Wisconsin and from the surrounding states. Morning presentations are followed by a catered luncheon and an afternoon poster session.
After years of having the symposium at several locations after it outgrew our old facility in E. B. Fred Hall, the Raper Symposium is now held in the Ebling Symposium Center in the Microbial Sciences Building.
In 2006, the Gouker Poster Award was added to the symposium events. This award, which honors long-time Department of Bacteriology staff member Nancy Gouker, provides a cash award to the best student poster presentation at the symposium.
2010 - Monday Aug 30
2009 - [schedule]
2008 - [schedule]