Representative of ICPSR: Madison Golden

Where do you work and what is your job title?

J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah, Research Data Librarian

What is a favorite memory or instance you have working with ICPSR? What makes ICPSR a great place?

The 2025 biennial meeting ‘summer camp’ has to be my favorite memory thus far. I so enjoyed meeting so many staff at ICPSR in person (they are as awesome as you’d imagine!) and other representatives to nerd out about data together for a few days. It was such a welcoming environment and I cherished the opportunity to connect with like minded data-lovers from across the country.

Where are you from?

I am currently located in Salt Lake City, Utah, but was in Madison, Wisconsin for 7 years before moving in 2023.

What is your favorite part of working with ICPSR?

My favorite part has been showing students how to access and use ICPSR data to answer a research question, especially students who hadn’t heard of ICPSR prior.

What’s one ICPSR dataset you find fascinating, unusual, or you’ve had a hand in getting deposited?

I helped curated the following dataset in the Data Lumos archive during ICPSR’s biennial meeting this past summer, so this is my (very biased) favorite: MicroRNA-Mediated Calcineurin Signaling Activation Induces CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, IL8 and Chemotactic Activities in 4,4’-Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate Exposed Macrophages!

How long have you worked with ICPSR?

2 years

What do you do when not at work?

I love to enjoy the outdoors around the Salt Lake Valley; hiking with my dog Pepper, skiing, and biking! I also love to crochet and sew; I just finished a custom bench cushion cover for my entryway.

What have you read/viewed/listened to/etc. recently?

My fiance and I recently took our families to the Natural History Museum of Utah while they were visiting for Thanksgiving. I love the geology and the way the museum is able to capture the history of the region, and it was awesome to share the history of our new home with loved ones.

What might surprise us about you?

In keeping with the theme of my last response, I found a fossil of a 500-million-year-old coral in my yard shortly after buying my first home with my partner this summer! It was identified with the help of a paleontologist I work with at my university (have I mentioned I love my job?!).

Anything else that you’d like to share with us?

I couldn’t be more grateful for the help of ICPSR staff in my journey as a representative, their undying enthusiasm matches my own and it makes my job so much more fun!

Thanks, Madison!

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