Communicating Scientific Concepts Through Art

Creativity is an integral part of both science and art, and using it to combine these two seemingly different disciplines creates unique and effective ways to communicate scientific information, both inside and outside the scientific community. Along my classical academic career path, I have been exploring the visual aspect of science communication using hand-drawn illustrations, science fashion, and interactive media. My drawings aim to convey complex biological concepts using both abstract imagery and real scientific data. Each illustration requires breaking down the essence of scientific findings and translating them into aesthetic visuals using metaphors that describe complex biological processes in intuitive ways. This form of visualization provides a powerful tool to facilitate communication between researchers from diverse fields, spark fascination and curiosity for science, as well as inspire our next generation of scientists. In this webinar, I will share my journey towards combining science and art, highlight the impact of artistic practices on my own research and communication, and discuss avenues for scientists to explore this emerging field. In this webinar, you will learn about how Beata Mierzwa integrates art into her scientific career.

Moderator:

Janet Iwasa, Assistant Professor, University of Utah

Janet Iwasa is an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Utah and a member of ASCB’s Public Information Committee.

Speaker:

Beata Mierzwa, Postdoctoral Researcher, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research

Beata Mierzwa studies how human cells divide and shares the beauty of science through art and fashion. Her
postdoctoral research at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and University of California San Diego aims to advance the world’s understanding of cell division and improve cancer therapy. Beyond her academic career, Beata creates science-themed drawings and clothes. Her hand-drawn illustrations use metaphor to portray scientific concepts in intuitive ways, while her microscopy fashion celebrates the beauty of the molecular world. She also created a science video game, Microscopya, that invites players to explore the beauty inside our cells. Through her AAAS IF/THEN Ambassadorship for science outreach and her work with Young Women in Bio – Southern California, she aims to inspire female students to pursue careers in STEM. For more information, please visit www.beatascienceart.com or follow @beatascienceart on social media.