NIRS Waisman Center

NIRS Waisman Center is a research institute in Madison, Wisconsin, dedicated to advancing knowledge of human development, developmental disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases. The center conducts interdisciplinary research across more than 20 University of Wisconsin-Madison departments, including pediatrics, psychology, neuroscience, and communication sciences. It supports studies on autism, Down syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, and other conditions, offering services such as brain imaging, data science, clinical translation, and IDD models. Research projects involve participants of all ages, including those with and without developmental disabilities, and may include in-person visits, home visits, or remote participation via surveys and interviews. The center maintains confidential registries to connect individuals and families with ongoing studies.

The Waisman Center operates as an intellectual and developmental disabilities research center, providing essential scientific resources and services to investigators through four core facilities. These include the Brain Imaging Clinical Translational Core, Data Science Core, IDD Models Core, and the Campus Research Cores Directory. The center fosters collaboration across disciplines, with leadership from faculty in neuroscience, genetics, medicine, and social work. It hosts public seminars and events, such as the Wiley Seminar Series and the annual Waisman Whirl, and supports student involvement in research as a key component of scientific advancement.

Located on Highland Ave in Madison, the center is part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. It is situated within a research and academic environment that includes affiliated departments and facilities focused on health, science, and human development. The center’s work is guided by federal research standards and institutional review board oversight, ensuring ethical and rigorous scientific inquiry.

The center holds a solid reputation among the individuals and families it serves, supported by a large base of customer reviews. Its longstanding presence in Madison reflects a sustained commitment to scientific discovery and community engagement in the fields of developmental and neurodegenerative health. As a leading research hub in the region, it continues to shape understanding and treatment in developmental disabilities and brain health.