The Wisconsin Alumni Association named seven University of Wisconsin-Madison alumni winners of the ‘Forward under 40 Award,’ an honor given to former students under the age of 40 who promote the notion that experiences at UW-Madison should extend benefits beyond campus, according to a Tuesday news release.
The selection committee chose winners who inspire their communities, both on campus and within a larger global scope, Kurt Bauer, a 1991 UW-Madison graduate and member of the national WAA Board of Directors, said in the release.
“Each of them has turned their personal passion into something meaningful for society,” Bauer said in the release.
Peter Drobac, who graduated in 1996, is an executive director at Partners in Health-Rwanda and works to improve treatment options for critically ill persons in rural poor areas.
Ayse Gurses, a 2005 Ph.D. graduate and associate professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, centers her work on preventing health care errors to enhance patient safety.
Luxme Hariharan, who graduated with an MD in 2009, treats and works to prevent childhood blindness.
Jarius King, 2009 graduate and creator of Wisconsin’s first annual urban art and movement showcase, travels throughout the world nurturing youth arts appreciation.
Tom Koch, a 2005 Ph.D. graduate, helps to advance agriculture in some of the world’s most impoverished regions by developing plant hybrids.
Anil Rathi graduated in 1997 and works at Innovation Challenge, the largest online innovation competition in the world.
Jessica Sack, a 1996 graduate, works to advance cultural opportunities for children and adults in New Haven, Conn.
