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Message Issue 5 Summer 2025
Thoughts from childhoods past Nostalgia and memories Inspire our futures chem.wisc.edu/theBENZINE/ Instagram @uw.benzine
Thoughts from childhoods past Nostalgia and memories Inspire our futures chem.wisc.edu/theBENZINE/ Instagram @uw.benzine
51) <Untitled= by Zige Liu (Huang) 52) <Crochet creatures of 2024= by Irene Stoutland(Blackwell) ‡ 53) <Woodburning at the Wheelhouse= by Michael Jones (Todd) 57) <Icons of a Badger Chemist= by Riana Smith (WidicusWeaver) * ‡ 59) <Untitled= by Nicole Greco (Stowe) 61) <Self-Appointed "Speaker of the House"= Aevi van der Stok(Gellman) * 63) Excerpts from <We could be an Oxymoron= by Sam KnockSwanson (undergraduate) 67) <A Comment on Capitalism= by Katie Smith, Bella Clemmer,Charlie Roberts (Stahl, Ge, Gellman) 69) <Clammageddon= by Theodore Gierszal (Stowe) 71) <Let’s Play!= by Theodore Gierszal (Stowe) 77) <Meet the Editors= by Eashna Agarwal (Gellman-undergraduate) * Background art by Danica Gressel ‡ Background art by Eashna Agarwal 7) Letter to the Editors 8) What is The Benzine? 9) <Completed= by Madelyn Frank (Stahl) 11) <Untitled= by Kaylin Xu (Jin) 13) <If a Cat Went to Grad School= by Danica Gressel(Fredrickson) * 15) <The Graduate Student’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, VeryBad Day= by Theodore Gierszal (Stowe) 23) <If you give a grad student a lounge= by RobinMorgenstern (Pazicni) 25) <The Very Hungry Grad Student= by Danica Gressel(Fredrickson) 29) <A trip down memory lane...= by Brie Bradshaw (Stowe) 35) Rum Daisy with Kevin Wokosin (Bertram) 37) <Untitled= by Jenifer Qiu (Martell) 39) <Raindrops on a Lily Leaf= by Peter Jaeger (ChemistryOutreach Manager) ‡ 41) <The Bug= by Daniel Ruiz de Castilla (Stahl) 43) <The Sword of Orion= by Brandon Flores (Zavala) 45) <Crescent Nebula and Soap Bubble Nebula by Bob Hamers(faculty) 47) Keep Wisconsin Warm Feature by Ray Czerwinski(Goldsmith) and Brie Bradshaw (Stowe) ‡ Table of Contents
51) <Untitled= by Zige Liu (Huang) 52) <Crochet creatures of 2024= by Irene Stoutland(Blackwell) ‡ 53) <Woodburning at the Wheelhouse= by Michael Jones (Todd) 57) <Icons of a Badger Chemist= by Riana Smith (WidicusWeaver) * ‡ 59) <Untitled= by Nicole Greco (Stowe) 61) <Self-Appointed "Speaker of the House"= Aevi van der Stok(Gellman) * 63) Excerpts from <We could be an Oxymoron= by Sam KnockSwanson (undergraduate) 67) <A Comment on Capitalism= by Katie Smith, Bella Clemmer,Charlie Roberts (Stahl, Ge, Gellman) 69) <Clammageddon= by Theodore Gierszal (Stowe) 71) <Let’s Play!= by Theodore Gierszal (Stowe) 77) <Meet the Editors= by Eashna Agarwal (Gellman-undergraduate) * Background art by Danica Gressel ‡ Background art by Eashna Agarwal 7) Letter to the Editors 8) What is The Benzine? 9) <Completed= by Madelyn Frank (Stahl) 11) <Untitled= by Kaylin Xu (Jin) 13) <If a Cat Went to Grad School= by Danica Gressel(Fredrickson) * 15) <The Graduate Student’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, VeryBad Day= by Theodore Gierszal (Stowe) 23) <If you give a grad student a lounge= by RobinMorgenstern (Pazicni) 25) <The Very Hungry Grad Student= by Danica Gressel(Fredrickson) 29) <A trip down memory lane...= by Brie Bradshaw (Stowe) 35) Rum Daisy with Kevin Wokosin (Bertram) 37) <Untitled= by Jenifer Qiu (Martell) 39) <Raindrops on a Lily Leaf= by Peter Jaeger (ChemistryOutreach Manager) ‡ 41) <The Bug= by Daniel Ruiz de Castilla (Stahl) 43) <The Sword of Orion= by Brandon Flores (Zavala) 45) <Crescent Nebula and Soap Bubble Nebula by Bob Hamers(faculty) 47) Keep Wisconsin Warm Feature by Ray Czerwinski(Goldsmith) and Brie Bradshaw (Stowe) ‡ Table of Contents
Dear readers, Thank you so much for taking the time to read the Summer 2025 issueof The Benzine! In this issue we share submissions from seventeen different scientists,whose contributions represent thirteen different research groups. Itis always our honor to be the curators of the amazing workgenerated by this department and to be able to share our love ofart with all of you. After a long year of hard work, we hope that the breadth of talentfound in the UW-Madison Chemistry department inspires you thesame way it inspires us. -The Benzine Editorial Board LetteR FROm the EditORS We are an art and chemistry zine! Peer written, edited, reviewed,and published, we’re an outlet for you to express yourself and anavenue for you to learn something new or see the world from adifferent angle. We’re here to celebrate the chemistry, art, poetry,hobbies, and interests our department enjoys. We’re a place whereyou share, publish, and promote what you care about in chemistry andbeyond. We aim to approach our science with the same energy we bring to therest of our lives. It’s easy to be overwhelmed in this field, and wedon’t want to lose sight of the broader picture and forget why welove what we do. We recognize that each and every one of us is full ofstories and ideas that stretch beyond the ordinary everyday ofstudent life. Those stories deserve a place to be heard and we want tobe that for you. We want to try and move beyond the barriers – conscious orunconscious – that so often get between us. This department is built onthe people it’s made up of. We want to lower the activation energy,so to speak, of forming the bonds that will knit our communitytogether. We’re broad. Different. Alternative. We’re a mirror for yourself, we’re a window to the world. We’re what you make us. Take a chance. Get inspired. What Is The BenZine? 7 8
Dear readers, Thank you so much for taking the time to read the Summer 2025 issueof The Benzine! In this issue we share submissions from seventeen different scientists,whose contributions represent thirteen different research groups. Itis always our honor to be the curators of the amazing workgenerated by this department and to be able to share our love ofart with all of you. After a long year of hard work, we hope that the breadth of talentfound in the UW-Madison Chemistry department inspires you thesame way it inspires us. -The Benzine Editorial Board LetteR FROm the EditORS We are an art and chemistry zine! Peer written, edited, reviewed,and published, we’re an outlet for you to express yourself and anavenue for you to learn something new or see the world from adifferent angle. We’re here to celebrate the chemistry, art, poetry,hobbies, and interests our department enjoys. We’re a place whereyou share, publish, and promote what you care about in chemistry andbeyond. We aim to approach our science with the same energy we bring to therest of our lives. It’s easy to be overwhelmed in this field, and wedon’t want to lose sight of the broader picture and forget why welove what we do. We recognize that each and every one of us is full ofstories and ideas that stretch beyond the ordinary everyday ofstudent life. Those stories deserve a place to be heard and we want tobe that for you. We want to try and move beyond the barriers – conscious orunconscious – that so often get between us. This department is built onthe people it’s made up of. We want to lower the activation energy,so to speak, of forming the bonds that will knit our communitytogether. We’re broad. Different. Alternative. We’re a mirror for yourself, we’re a window to the world. We’re what you make us. Take a chance. Get inspired. What Is The BenZine? 7 8
<Completed= Madelyn Frank - Acrylic on canvas This piece is a representation of coming toterms with and living a full life alongside havinga chronic lung disease. I was diagnosed withCystic Fibrosis at birth, and have lived with italongside every milestone in my life. While itdoesn't define the meaning of my life, myperspective on the world wouldn't be completewithout it. 9
<Completed= Madelyn Frank - Acrylic on canvas This piece is a representation of coming toterms with and living a full life alongside havinga chronic lung disease. I was diagnosed withCystic Fibrosis at birth, and have lived with italongside every milestone in my life. While itdoesn't define the meaning of my life, myperspective on the world wouldn't be completewithout it. 9
<Untitled= Kaylin Xu - Acrylic onCanvas A walk back to chemistry on aSummer evening in 2024. 11
<Untitled= Kaylin Xu - Acrylic onCanvas A walk back to chemistry on aSummer evening in 2024. 11
“If a Ca Wet to Gad Sho" Daca Gesl - Ol Pat on Par 13 14
“If a Ca Wet to Gad Sho" Daca Gesl - Ol Pat on Par 13 14
I woke up late and missed my 1-on-1 meeting. So I’ll have toreschedule... Except my PI leavesfor a trip tomorrow! I guess I’llhave to wait until they’re back... Inped b Jut Vis’s<Alanr an te Terle,Horle, No Go Vey Ba Da= Te GadaSudt’s Terle,Horle, No Go,Vey Ba Da Ar an Sor Rex b Tedo Gisal I could feel it.Today was goingto be a terrible,horrible, nogood, very badday. 15 16
I woke up late and missed my 1-on-1 meeting. So I’ll have toreschedule... Except my PI leavesfor a trip tomorrow! I guess I’llhave to wait until they’re back... Inped b Jut Vis’s<Alanr an te Terle,Horle, No Go Vey Ba Da= Te GadaSudt’s Terle,Horle, No Go,Vey Ba Da Ar an Sor Rex b Tedo Gisal I could feel it.Today was goingto be a terrible,horrible, nogood, very badday. 15 16
When I got to lab, Ispilled the last of thereagent I needed! So, Icouldn’t set up the reactionI wanted to run. Instead, Ihad to go order more andwait for it to come in. I took a break to resetthe day and grab acoee. But I forgot toorder a milk alternativein my latte... Mystomach hurt for therest of the day :( 17 18
When I got to lab, Ispilled the last of thereagent I needed! So, Icouldn’t set up the reactionI wanted to run. Instead, Ihad to go order more andwait for it to come in. I took a break to resetthe day and grab acoee. But I forgot toorder a milk alternativein my latte... Mystomach hurt for therest of the day :( 17 18
With my stomach hurting, my reaction setupthwarted, and my product lost, I decided tosit down for a while and think aboutstarting a new career in Australia. Then, I had to run a column.I collected 100 fractions andI still couldn’t nd myproduct... 19 20
With my stomach hurting, my reaction setupthwarted, and my product lost, I decided tosit down for a while and think aboutstarting a new career in Australia. Then, I had to run a column.I collected 100 fractions andI still couldn’t nd myproduct... 19 20
After work, I got dinner with myfriends and told them all about myawful day. I decided that moving toAustralia was the only logical wayto move forward. But apparently,people havehorrible,terrible, nogood, very baddays inAustralia too... Eventually, I got back to work and started towrite down everything I had done. But justas I nished, my pen exploded all over thepage I had written. I considered whether or not I had beencursed. 21 2
After work, I got dinner with myfriends and told them all about myawful day. I decided that moving toAustralia was the only logical wayto move forward. But apparently,people havehorrible,terrible, nogood, very baddays inAustralia too... Eventually, I got back to work and started towrite down everything I had done. But justas I nished, my pen exploded all over thepage I had written. I considered whether or not I had beencursed. 21 2
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The Very Hungry Graduate Student The graduate student went to seminarwhere there were delicious cookies. They ate one and drank some coee but were still hungry... Bing! The very hungry graduate studentreceived an email notication! What might it say? Free food?! <Great, I am so hungry= said the grad student! The graduate student got another emailabout leftover food from an event. They ate a strawberry, cheese and crackersbut were still hungry... The graduate student attended a jobrecruiting event for pizza—and also got an interview?! What a nice surprise! inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle Art and story remix by Danica Gressel Finally, the not-so-hungry grad studentslipped into their dissertation cocoon andsaid <Thank you for the snacks, theeducation, and the friends! It’s time tospread my wings and be a hungry buttery!= There goes the very hungry graduatestudent, down the stairs and in theelevator, in search of free snacks! 25 26
The Very Hungry Graduate Student The graduate student went to seminarwhere there were delicious cookies. They ate one and drank some coee but were still hungry... Bing! The very hungry graduate studentreceived an email notication! What might it say? Free food?! <Great, I am so hungry= said the grad student! The graduate student got another emailabout leftover food from an event. They ate a strawberry, cheese and crackersbut were still hungry... The graduate student attended a jobrecruiting event for pizza—and also got an interview?! What a nice surprise! inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle Art and story remix by Danica Gressel Finally, the not-so-hungry grad studentslipped into their dissertation cocoon andsaid <Thank you for the snacks, theeducation, and the friends! It’s time tospread my wings and be a hungry buttery!= There goes the very hungry graduatestudent, down the stairs and in theelevator, in search of free snacks! 25 26
Time for a snack break.... and in case you or someone you know needsa little help getting a snack or more visit: 27 28 https://basicneeds.students.wisc.edu
Time for a snack break.... and in case you or someone you know needsa little help getting a snack or more visit: 27 28 https://basicneeds.students.wisc.edu
Peter Jaeger A trip down memory lane... Jen Schomaker What were our faculty and sta like before they grew up? Current Position: Professor When I was young, my favorite color was ________________ When I was young, my favorite animal was _______________ When I was young, my favorite food was _________________ When I grew up, I wanted to be____________________________ green cat ring bologna a forest ranger When I was young, my favorite color was________________ When I was young, my favorite animal was_______________ When I was young, my favorite food was_______________________ When I grew up, I wanted to be ____________________________ blue frog spaghetti and meatballs a scientist, doctor, or farmer kindergarten - Age 5 Current Position: Chemistry Outreach Program Manager 29 30
Peter Jaeger A trip down memory lane... Jen Schomaker What were our faculty and sta like before they grew up? Current Position: Professor When I was young, my favorite color was ________________ When I was young, my favorite animal was _______________ When I was young, my favorite food was _________________ When I grew up, I wanted to be____________________________ green cat ring bologna a forest ranger When I was young, my favorite color was________________ When I was young, my favorite animal was_______________ When I was young, my favorite food was_______________________ When I grew up, I wanted to be ____________________________ blue frog spaghetti and meatballs a scientist, doctor, or farmer kindergarten - Age 5 Current Position: Chemistry Outreach Program Manager 29 30
BobHamers age 4 Kimberly Hazen When I was young, my favorite color was________________ When I was young, my favorite animal was_______________ When I was young, my favorite food was _________________ When I grew up, I wanted to be _____________________ Blue dogs spaghetti a scientist! <My dad worked in a brassfactory and would bring homesmall pieces of zinc for me. I9dput them into a coke bottle,add some muriatic acid, andput a balloon on top to make ahydrogen balloon. I9d tie it off,put a wick on it, and sent it upto make 8mini-Hindenbergs9...Probably notsafe, but it was fun!= When I was young, my favorite color was________________ When I was young, my favorite animal was______________________________ When I was young my favorite food was_________________ When I grew up, I wanted to be _____________________ Current Position: Chemistry Marketing andCommunications Manager Current Position: Professor black our cat, OC (short for <our cat=) Steak A writer 31 32
BobHamers age 4 Kimberly Hazen When I was young, my favorite color was________________ When I was young, my favorite animal was_______________ When I was young, my favorite food was _________________ When I grew up, I wanted to be _____________________ Blue dogs spaghetti a scientist! <My dad worked in a brassfactory and would bring homesmall pieces of zinc for me. I9dput them into a coke bottle,add some muriatic acid, andput a balloon on top to make ahydrogen balloon. I9d tie it off,put a wick on it, and sent it upto make 8mini-Hindenbergs9...Probably notsafe, but it was fun!= When I was young, my favorite color was________________ When I was young, my favorite animal was______________________________ When I was young my favorite food was_________________ When I grew up, I wanted to be _____________________ Current Position: Chemistry Marketing andCommunications Manager Current Position: Professor black our cat, OC (short for <our cat=) Steak A writer 31 32
Desiree Bates Ryan Stowe When I was young, my favorite color was________________ When I was young, my favorite animal was______________________________ When I was young, my favorite food was_________________ When I grew up, I wanted to be _____________________ Current Position: DistinguishedComputational Chemistry Leader lime green elephant spaghetti a scientist with younger brother, Adam Current Position: Assistant Professor When I was young, my favorite color was________________ When I was young, my favorite animal was _______________________________________ When I was young, my favorite food was_________________ When I grew up, I wanted to be ____________ blue My dog Joe (even though he wasn’t born yet)pizza a teacher 33 34
Desiree Bates Ryan Stowe When I was young, my favorite color was________________ When I was young, my favorite animal was______________________________ When I was young, my favorite food was_________________ When I grew up, I wanted to be _____________________ Current Position: DistinguishedComputational Chemistry Leader lime green elephant spaghetti a scientist with younger brother, Adam Current Position: Assistant Professor When I was young, my favorite color was________________ When I was young, my favorite animal was _______________________________________ When I was young, my favorite food was_________________ When I grew up, I wanted to be ____________ blue My dog Joe (even though he wasn’t born yet)pizza a teacher 33 34
Ru Day Ken Wosi - Adi Rum Daisy is trio consisting of myself (guitar),Zanni group Chemistry PhD alumnus ZachArmstrong (drums), and UW PA graduate studentAlden Laev (bass). We played a few shows inMadison during 2022/2023 and recorded thisalbum in one night before Zach moved west toIdaho. We would like to share this art with theChemistry department more broadly and theBenzine seemed like a great place to spread theword! - Kevin Check out their full album! https://linktr.ee/rumdaisy Click to Listen: Click to Listen: 35 36 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBDzACaLrSc&list=OLAK5uy_ndi-QYzbvIfas1u0Igm2tn2wgMAUmximAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyBkwxnAMIo&list=OLAK5uy_ndi-QYzbvIfas1u0Igm2tn2wgMAUmximA&index=8
Ru Day Ken Wosi - Adi Rum Daisy is trio consisting of myself (guitar),Zanni group Chemistry PhD alumnus ZachArmstrong (drums), and UW PA graduate studentAlden Laev (bass). We played a few shows inMadison during 2022/2023 and recorded thisalbum in one night before Zach moved west toIdaho. We would like to share this art with theChemistry department more broadly and theBenzine seemed like a great place to spread theword! - Kevin Check out their full album! https://linktr.ee/rumdaisy Click to Listen: Click to Listen: 35 36 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBDzACaLrSc&list=OLAK5uy_ndi-QYzbvIfas1u0Igm2tn2wgMAUmximAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyBkwxnAMIo&list=OLAK5uy_ndi-QYzbvIfas1u0Igm2tn2wgMAUmximA&index=8
“Untitled” Jenifer Qiu Watercolor 37 38
“Untitled” Jenifer Qiu Watercolor 37 38
<Raindrops on a Lily Leaf= Peter Jaeger - Photography I took this picture in the morning after arainstorm. The drops really show thediffraction and magnification effects ofwater. Instant magnifying glass! 39 40
<Raindrops on a Lily Leaf= Peter Jaeger - Photography I took this picture in the morning after arainstorm. The drops really show thediffraction and magnification effects ofwater. Instant magnifying glass! 39 40
A gust of wind enters a room, and strands of thread escape. Away they go, üying out the window, Brownian motion takes hold. And they land, ûbers and ûlaments wrapping around the necks of leaves. The bug stumbles into the strands of cotton, electing to save the leaf. With thoracic legs it takes hold of the strand. It gathers, it folds, it presses. A spool of thread for the bug, compiled and conscripted, ready to serve its needs. The pulp from its stomach, and excrement from the thorax, it begins to play with dough. It shapes, it binds, it sews. First is the abdomen, covered in the glue of its making. Paralyzing it to the ground. To the leaf. As the silk grows, the thread is now employed, wrapping itself in the tomb. Mummiûcation without pyramids, a casket without a tombstone. Warmth grows from within as the structure envelopes it. Then darkness. Then cold. Then time passes by. White snow melts. Revealing a white orb. It wrestles, it kicks, it üaps its wings. Withdrawing new fangs, unleashing a new talon, it snips the thread away. Lashing out at the structure imprisoning it, eating away at the chains made of silk. Moist air hits its back, the structure erupts and the wing üaps. It üies. Then it crashes down. A hole in the thorax. A missing attachment. A failure in transcription or in the translation? Functionless wing, it crawls around. Sweat starts to form. Panic sets in. The ground shakes. Booming footsteps tear up the earth. It scrambles, it begs, it tries to üy. Brace for impact. <The Bug= Daniel Ruiz de Castilla - Poem This poem is about metamorphosis, and itincorporates some fun science concepts. On anintimate level it is about flaws and choices. 41 42
A gust of wind enters a room, and strands of thread escape. Away they go, üying out the window, Brownian motion takes hold. And they land, ûbers and ûlaments wrapping around the necks of leaves. The bug stumbles into the strands of cotton, electing to save the leaf. With thoracic legs it takes hold of the strand. It gathers, it folds, it presses. A spool of thread for the bug, compiled and conscripted, ready to serve its needs. The pulp from its stomach, and excrement from the thorax, it begins to play with dough. It shapes, it binds, it sews. First is the abdomen, covered in the glue of its making. Paralyzing it to the ground. To the leaf. As the silk grows, the thread is now employed, wrapping itself in the tomb. Mummiûcation without pyramids, a casket without a tombstone. Warmth grows from within as the structure envelopes it. Then darkness. Then cold. Then time passes by. White snow melts. Revealing a white orb. It wrestles, it kicks, it üaps its wings. Withdrawing new fangs, unleashing a new talon, it snips the thread away. Lashing out at the structure imprisoning it, eating away at the chains made of silk. Moist air hits its back, the structure erupts and the wing üaps. It üies. Then it crashes down. A hole in the thorax. A missing attachment. A failure in transcription or in the translation? Functionless wing, it crawls around. Sweat starts to form. Panic sets in. The ground shakes. Booming footsteps tear up the earth. It scrambles, it begs, it tries to üy. Brace for impact. <The Bug= Daniel Ruiz de Castilla - Poem This poem is about metamorphosis, and itincorporates some fun science concepts. On anintimate level it is about flaws and choices. 41 42
<The Sword of Orion= Brandon Flores - Digital Photography Taken with a Canon EOS Rebel T5 and an Orion MC90 f/5.6 Maksutov-Cassegrain with integrated focal reducer mounted on a Celestron C5+ fork mount. 180×18 s subexposures (3240 s total integration time) at ISO 1600. Subexposures calibrated, debayered, registered and stacked in Siril Lunar and light pollution gradient removed in GraXpert Photometric color calibration, intensity stretch, and denoising in Siril 43 44
<The Sword of Orion= Brandon Flores - Digital Photography Taken with a Canon EOS Rebel T5 and an Orion MC90 f/5.6 Maksutov-Cassegrain with integrated focal reducer mounted on a Celestron C5+ fork mount. 180×18 s subexposures (3240 s total integration time) at ISO 1600. Subexposures calibrated, debayered, registered and stacked in Siril Lunar and light pollution gradient removed in GraXpert Photometric color calibration, intensity stretch, and denoising in Siril 43 44
<Crescent Nebula and Soap Bubble Nebula= Bob Hamers - Digital Photography The Bubble Nebula is a nearly spherical region of gas blowninto a shell by the solar wind emitted by the star at its center.The bubble is surrounded by a region of less dense gas. Thelight we see is mostly hydrogen alpha emission at 656 nm(red) and some oxygen at 501 nm (teal). There's also apretty star cluster (called M52) at the top left. The Crescent Nebula is a glowing shock wave with lightemitted from hydrogen atoms (red) and doubly-ionizedoxygen (teal). The smaller Soap Bubble nebula is near theright edge, just below center. Imaged from my backyard inMadison using a 5" refractor telescope. 45 46
<Crescent Nebula and Soap Bubble Nebula= Bob Hamers - Digital Photography The Bubble Nebula is a nearly spherical region of gas blowninto a shell by the solar wind emitted by the star at its center.The bubble is surrounded by a region of less dense gas. Thelight we see is mostly hydrogen alpha emission at 656 nm(red) and some oxygen at 501 nm (teal). There's also apretty star cluster (called M52) at the top left. The Crescent Nebula is a glowing shock wave with lightemitted from hydrogen atoms (red) and doubly-ionizedoxygen (teal). The smaller Soap Bubble nebula is near theright edge, just below center. Imaged from my backyard inMadison using a 5" refractor telescope. 45 46
5Keep Wisconsin Warm
5Keep Wisconsin Warm
group uses is either donated or thrifted, Palmerpointed out, which is a satisfying way to reusematerial and reduce waste. The community-building aspect of Keep Wisconsin Warm is a draw for many of its participants, in addition to the satisfaction of producing a tangible object and of course, getting to gift something to those in the Madison area who nd themselves in need with the inclement winter weather. Dr. Naviya Schuster-Little, a postdoc in the Smith lab, thought the group would be helpful in forming friendships in a new place. <It sounded like an interesting opportunity to meet people,= she said. <It also helped me get back into knitting, because I kinda dropped it in grad school.= Zahra Alikhani, a current third year in the Hermans group, is one of the participants learning a new kind of craft. As she worked on crocheting her rst scarf, fellow artists complimented the consistent tension she was able to keep on the yarn, with one knitter adding that they were never quite able to gure out tension for crochet. Alikhani replied that she nds one needle easier to manage than two. She’s personally found the structure the group oers to be quite helpful, commenting that, <having to make something andthen donate it really gets me to commit.= LynnHarrow, an instructional lab specialist in thedepartment and a UW-Madison alum, mentioned thatas someone coming in with ber arts experience, theyenjoy being able to knit alongside those starting out.<Creative arts and skills like this can be impossiblydicult to learn on your own,= they said, <but whenyou have someone experienced to help you, it’s somuch easier, and more enjoyable.= Keep Wisconsin Warm’s rst round of donations wasdropped o at Porchlight in November of 2024, rightas temperatures truly began to drop for the season.Porchlight’s administrative oces are located only ablock from the Chemistry building and is Madison’slargest non-prot provider of aordable housing.Palmer is also looking into other organizations wherethe donations would be appreciated. <One of the nicethings about making things to donate is that they’renew – no one’s used these before,= she said. <Andthey’re handmade, and I feel like handmade itemshave a dierent sentiment to them, if that makessense.= For more information about Keep Wisconsin Warm,contact Emily Palmer at eepalmer@wisc.edu. 49 50
group uses is either donated or thrifted, Palmerpointed out, which is a satisfying way to reusematerial and reduce waste. The community-building aspect of Keep Wisconsin Warm is a draw for many of its participants, in addition to the satisfaction of producing a tangible object and of course, getting to gift something to those in the Madison area who nd themselves in need with the inclement winter weather. Dr. Naviya Schuster-Little, a postdoc in the Smith lab, thought the group would be helpful in forming friendships in a new place. <It sounded like an interesting opportunity to meet people,= she said. <It also helped me get back into knitting, because I kinda dropped it in grad school.= Zahra Alikhani, a current third year in the Hermans group, is one of the participants learning a new kind of craft. As she worked on crocheting her rst scarf, fellow artists complimented the consistent tension she was able to keep on the yarn, with one knitter adding that they were never quite able to gure out tension for crochet. Alikhani replied that she nds one needle easier to manage than two. She’s personally found the structure the group oers to be quite helpful, commenting that, <having to make something andthen donate it really gets me to commit.= LynnHarrow, an instructional lab specialist in thedepartment and a UW-Madison alum, mentioned thatas someone coming in with ber arts experience, theyenjoy being able to knit alongside those starting out.<Creative arts and skills like this can be impossiblydicult to learn on your own,= they said, <but whenyou have someone experienced to help you, it’s somuch easier, and more enjoyable.= Keep Wisconsin Warm’s rst round of donations wasdropped o at Porchlight in November of 2024, rightas temperatures truly began to drop for the season.Porchlight’s administrative oces are located only ablock from the Chemistry building and is Madison’slargest non-prot provider of aordable housing.Palmer is also looking into other organizations wherethe donations would be appreciated. <One of the nicethings about making things to donate is that they’renew – no one’s used these before,= she said. <Andthey’re handmade, and I feel like handmade itemshave a dierent sentiment to them, if that makessense.= For more information about Keep Wisconsin Warm,contact Emily Palmer at eepalmer@wisc.edu. 49 50
<Crochet creatures of 2024= Irene Stoutland - Crochet Zige Liu Crochet/Fiber Art 51 52
<Crochet creatures of 2024= Irene Stoutland - Crochet Zige Liu Crochet/Fiber Art 51 52
53 Woodburning at Wheelhouse In February, the Benzine team hosted a hot event over atWheelhouse Studios in Memorial Union! There, we got the chanceto unleash our chemical creative potential and burn some wood. 54
53 Woodburning at Wheelhouse In February, the Benzine team hosted a hot event over atWheelhouse Studios in Memorial Union! There, we got the chanceto unleash our chemical creative potential and burn some wood. 54
55 56 Thank you to everyone who attended, and special thanks to Wheelhouse Studios! We look forward to hosting even more events across campus.
55 56 Thank you to everyone who attended, and special thanks to Wheelhouse Studios! We look forward to hosting even more events across campus.
<Icons of a Badger Chemist= Riana Smith - Digital This piece was made with theintention to try to represent asmuch chemistry research as I couldthink to t. I wanted to includesomething that everyone doingchemical research could ndsomething that deals with what theydo in the lab, what might representtheir computations, or what mayrepresent some of the manyinterdisciplinary groups that expandoutside of chemistry as well. I aimedto include pieces representing allbranches of chemistry. 5557
<Icons of a Badger Chemist= Riana Smith - Digital This piece was made with theintention to try to represent asmuch chemistry research as I couldthink to t. I wanted to includesomething that everyone doingchemical research could ndsomething that deals with what theydo in the lab, what might representtheir computations, or what mayrepresent some of the manyinterdisciplinary groups that expandoutside of chemistry as well. I aimedto include pieces representing allbranches of chemistry. 5557
59 60
59 60
61 Self-Appointed "Speaker of the House" Aevi van der Stok - Digital A portrait/propaganda poster of my partner'scat, Mister, who has SO MUCH to say.
61 Self-Appointed "Speaker of the House" Aevi van der Stok - Digital A portrait/propaganda poster of my partner'scat, Mister, who has SO MUCH to say.
A justied excuse for living I have walked miles to end up in the same place. And I’ve stood and realized everything changed. So who am I to say everything is ne? When all my life I have tried to dene what it is to be alright. But I know within you is the strength to continue. To spitefully survive, to look them in the eye, and remind them you’re alive. We Could be an Oxymoron - A Book of Poems Sam Knock Swanson My friend and I wrote and published a collection of poems documentingour middle and high school years through symbolism and metaphors. Hereare some of my favorite poems that I wrote from that book. - Sam Peiskos I wonder what is it like to be pure energy, to be pure potential. An ambiguous structure of destruction and creation. The unier of nations, the heart of misfortune, the breath of dragons. I wonder what it’s like to exist in earnest unaware of morality. To have one purpose a denite nite conviction. To render everything obsolete. The Orange Blossom Sweet they say, so petite and thought through, news to them they are tart like undilutedorange juice. Sweet in a melancholy way like unmovable mountains, here to stay. Born to grapple with any obstacle, made to destroy the arrogant explorer, the bane of any foolish enough to doubtthem. Sweet in the form of a burning aftertaste, sour like a steady decline, because the thing they don’t know is this world is not theirs. It is mine. 63 64
A justied excuse for living I have walked miles to end up in the same place. And I’ve stood and realized everything changed. So who am I to say everything is ne? When all my life I have tried to dene what it is to be alright. But I know within you is the strength to continue. To spitefully survive, to look them in the eye, and remind them you’re alive. We Could be an Oxymoron - A Book of Poems Sam Knock Swanson My friend and I wrote and published a collection of poems documentingour middle and high school years through symbolism and metaphors. Hereare some of my favorite poems that I wrote from that book. - Sam Peiskos I wonder what is it like to be pure energy, to be pure potential. An ambiguous structure of destruction and creation. The unier of nations, the heart of misfortune, the breath of dragons. I wonder what it’s like to exist in earnest unaware of morality. To have one purpose a denite nite conviction. To render everything obsolete. The Orange Blossom Sweet they say, so petite and thought through, news to them they are tart like undilutedorange juice. Sweet in a melancholy way like unmovable mountains, here to stay. Born to grapple with any obstacle, made to destroy the arrogant explorer, the bane of any foolish enough to doubtthem. Sweet in the form of a burning aftertaste, sour like a steady decline, because the thing they don’t know is this world is not theirs. It is mine. 63 64
Even after all this time To inquire upon humanity is to wander invain, to run with worries as welcomed advisors, andto be surprised they are not good drivers. They’re uncouth and rowdy their voices echo outdoors they ask me unbecoming questions and smear dirt on the oors. Why do I defer enjoyment and how come worms have no eyes? My worries are dancing in public and do not understand..... For worries are too unconcerned and yet preoccupied. My worries believe that their musings haveanswers and I’m not so inclined. I believe we are doomedbut I don’t know why, so maybe my worries have no reason to lie. We only witness, so savor it Look forward to the skyline watch the pale blue, melt through the window The morning is a bewitching sight you cannot witness behind closed eyes Your continuous night is not a virtuous sentiment but alludes to a fundamental resentment A loathing of walking, believing it’s easier to mistake living for breaking Watch the world ascend and realize each day has a beginning and an end I’ve never felt so happy to be dizzy Sometimes we seem to forget the world spins on an independent, invisible, axis, endlessly rotating. Because days, events, even moments, can seem to steal the movement of Earth. Their gravity, an omnipotent force weighing us down. As your breath comes in shallow gasps, your hands shake, and your heart pounds. I want you to remember no day, no event, no moment, will make the Earth halt. No cause will lead us all to arms because we are always spinning and whatever happens, we cannot make it pause. 65 66
Even after all this time To inquire upon humanity is to wander invain, to run with worries as welcomed advisors, andto be surprised they are not good drivers. They’re uncouth and rowdy their voices echo outdoors they ask me unbecoming questions and smear dirt on the oors. Why do I defer enjoyment and how come worms have no eyes? My worries are dancing in public and do not understand..... For worries are too unconcerned and yet preoccupied. My worries believe that their musings haveanswers and I’m not so inclined. I believe we are doomedbut I don’t know why, so maybe my worries have no reason to lie. We only witness, so savor it Look forward to the skyline watch the pale blue, melt through the window The morning is a bewitching sight you cannot witness behind closed eyes Your continuous night is not a virtuous sentiment but alludes to a fundamental resentment A loathing of walking, believing it’s easier to mistake living for breaking Watch the world ascend and realize each day has a beginning and an end I’ve never felt so happy to be dizzy Sometimes we seem to forget the world spins on an independent, invisible, axis, endlessly rotating. Because days, events, even moments, can seem to steal the movement of Earth. Their gravity, an omnipotent force weighing us down. As your breath comes in shallow gasps, your hands shake, and your heart pounds. I want you to remember no day, no event, no moment, will make the Earth halt. No cause will lead us all to arms because we are always spinning and whatever happens, we cannot make it pause. 65 66
<A Comment on Capitalism= Katie Smith, Bella Clemmer, and Charlie Roberts Clay Sculpture 67 68
<A Comment on Capitalism= Katie Smith, Bella Clemmer, and Charlie Roberts Clay Sculpture 67 68
<Clammageddon= Theodore GierszalNatural Elements & Collage 69 70
<Clammageddon= Theodore GierszalNatural Elements & Collage 69 70
NameThatPhrase! Click here toplay! 71 72
NameThatPhrase! Click here toplay! 71 72
Chemistry Word Search Aromatic Analytical Laser Polymer Materials Crystal Receptor Chem-Ed Covalent Salt Photon Reaction Organic Peptide Column Orbital Quantum Chair Solvent Yield Enantiomer Ionic Enzyme Electron Chem-Bio Physical Research Click here foronline version! 73 74
Chemistry Word Search Aromatic Analytical Laser Polymer Materials Crystal Receptor Chem-Ed Covalent Salt Photon Reaction Organic Peptide Column Orbital Quantum Chair Solvent Yield Enantiomer Ionic Enzyme Electron Chem-Bio Physical Research Click here foronline version! 73 74
Across 1. creative subject; songs, instruments, rhythm 3. used to carry school supplies 5. mode of transportation 9. using numbers to tally things 10. meant to boost energy between meals 13. plants, animals, outdoors 17. another word for hanging out with friends 21. spring, summer, autumn, winter 22. January, February, March, etc...24. a trip to a new place, learning outside of the classroom 25. something that is told throughout the day 26. a time for rest and recharge 27. subject of how things happened in the past Down 1. tool for coloring or drawing, sometimes permanent 2. midday mealtime 4. happy, frustrated, sad, excited 6. less and less 7. subject of explaining phenomena 8. a break meant for fun and games 11. subject for creative outlets, sometimes messy 12. a waxy stick used for art projects 14. apple, bat, city, dreams, etc... 15. more and more 16. a way to learn things from books 18. subject of learning the order and identity of letters in aword 19. wind, rain, sun, snow 20. acrylic, oil, water 23. ction or nonction; told by friends, teachers, books, andmovies Kindergarten Crossword Click here for online version ! Password key: kindergarten 75 76
Across 1. creative subject; songs, instruments, rhythm 3. used to carry school supplies 5. mode of transportation 9. using numbers to tally things 10. meant to boost energy between meals 13. plants, animals, outdoors 17. another word for hanging out with friends 21. spring, summer, autumn, winter 22. January, February, March, etc...24. a trip to a new place, learning outside of the classroom 25. something that is told throughout the day 26. a time for rest and recharge 27. subject of how things happened in the past Down 1. tool for coloring or drawing, sometimes permanent 2. midday mealtime 4. happy, frustrated, sad, excited 6. less and less 7. subject of explaining phenomena 8. a break meant for fun and games 11. subject for creative outlets, sometimes messy 12. a waxy stick used for art projects 14. apple, bat, city, dreams, etc... 15. more and more 16. a way to learn things from books 18. subject of learning the order and identity of letters in aword 19. wind, rain, sun, snow 20. acrylic, oil, water 23. ction or nonction; told by friends, teachers, books, andmovies Kindergarten Crossword Click here for online version ! Password key: kindergarten 75 76
Eashna Agarwal Editor, Social MediaManager Michael Jones Editor Interested in getting involved with the ‘zine? Email babradshaw@wisc.edu for more information!Danica Gressel Editor in Chief Brie Bradshaw Editor Jairo Villalona Editor, OutreachCoordinator Theo Gierszal Editor Robin Morgenstern Editor, In-house Artist 77 78
Eashna Agarwal Editor, Social MediaManager Michael Jones Editor Interested in getting involved with the ‘zine? Email babradshaw@wisc.edu for more information!Danica Gressel Editor in Chief Brie Bradshaw Editor Jairo Villalona Editor, OutreachCoordinator Theo Gierszal Editor Robin Morgenstern Editor, In-house Artist 77 78
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