Kohler Fellows

Matthew Vivirito was born in central Illinois as the third of seven children. He spent his adult life living in Colorado before receiving a BA in Art History and BFA of Studio.

How did life get started from non-living ingredients on the early Earth? Does life exist on other worlds and if so, how will we know when we find it? These are the big questions motivating my research on the chemical origins of life.

Katherine is a graduate student in the EdNeuro Lab in the Educational Psychology department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition to her academic research, Katherine is also a professional actor (EMC) and teaching artist. As an educator, some favorite experiences include her roles as the education director for Montana Shakes!, director of the Young Actor’s Workshop at Interlochen Center for the Arts, and teaching with Whoopensocker, the Children’s Theatre of Madison, the Oakhill Prison Humanities Project, the Maher Ashram, and the Kattaikkuttu Gurukulam. Favorite performance credits include Door Shakespeare, Optimist Shakespeare in the Park, Double Edge Theatre, Adishakti Theatre/Dash Arts, and the Missoula Children’s Theatre. In her free time, Katherine enjoys bouldering, playing the button accordion, and exploring the beautiful nature around Madison.

Kushin enjoys practicing sketching as much he enjoys researching it. His lifelong dream is to publish his own manga.

Kaitlin Moore is a Kiwi émigré to the United States who loves to build swords, take astrophotographs, and go on long runs with their dog. Kaitlin spends most days playing video games, and most nights leaving their camera shutter open to the stars.

Aedan Gardill was born and raised right here in Madison, Wisconsin. Growing up, he was always interested in science and art, and in college at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, began exploring the interdisciplinary connections between the two. Aedan received Bachelor of Arts degrees in both physics and art at Lawrence, and is continuing his study of physics as a graduate student at UW Madison. As a Kohler Fellow, he will be able to continue exploring the connections between art and science.

Matt was born in Poland and came to the US at a young age. He grew up in a rural town in upstate NY near a Russian community and has since been interested in immigrant experiences in the US. His parents had both studied art in Poland and inspired Matt to pursue an arts education. At UW Madison he is working on his dissertation in art history.