Five Years Through the Lens of Discovery: UC San Diego Library Celebrates Art of Science Anniversary

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• Nikki Kolupailo- [email protected]

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• UC San Diego Library
• Art of Science

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What happens when science meets art? This fall, UC San Diego Library presents The Art of Science: Five Years Through the Lens of Discovery, an exhibition marking the Library's fifth annual Art of Science competition. On view from September 5, 2025, through March 22, 2026, in the Exhibition Gallery at Geisel Library, the exhibit brings together all of the winning images from 2021 to 2025. Visitors can experience the inspiring intersection of science and art, where observation, inquiry, and breakthroughs converge to tell visually compelling stories.

Established in 2021 and inspired by the aesthetically striking data sets curated in the Library's Research Data Collections repository, the contest invites UC San Diego's scientific community to share the artistry and impact of their work. Its goal is to spark curiosity among the general public through engaging research communication and demonstrate how research can help address some of society's most pressing challenges.

Each year, undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, faculty, and project scientists submit images they've captured during their research process. Submissions have spanned disciplines such as oceanography, climate science, neurobiology, synthetic biology, pharmacology, cognitive science, materials science, geophysics, planetary physics, urban studies and planning, music, and engineering.

Now in its fifth year, the Art of Science continues to celebrate the beauty that emerges from scientific inquiry and the power of science communication. By showcasing original works across all levels of scholarship, the contest reflects UC San Diego's commitment to cultivating research skills at every stage of the academic journey. Together, these contributions form a vibrant portrait of the diverse scientific community at UC San Diego.

"The Art of Science celebrates the bold ideas and creative thinking of UC San Diego researchers, as well as the Library's role in making research accessible," said Erik T. Mitchell, Audrey Geisel University Librarian. "Given the increasing importance of demonstrating the impact and value of research, these images underscore the significance of supporting discovery, fostering innovation, and sharing knowledge to engage the broader community."

Human Neurons in a New Dimension
Artist: Lucia Zhou Yang, graduate student, Department of Neuroscience, Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, Mertens Laboratory
Category: 2025 Open Voting Winner

The Creation of a Cell
Artist: Joyce Tran, graduate student, Department of Neurosciences, Susan Ackerman Lab
Category: 2025 Judges' Award Winner, Honorable Mention

Pathways of Possibility
Artist: Julien Cicero, postdoctoral scholar, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Manor Lab
Contributor: Uri Manor
Category: 2025 Judges' Award Winner, Honorable Mention

Charting the Developing Human Heart
Artist: Quan Zhu, faculty, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Center for Epigenomics
Contributor: Jackie Eschbach, Alex Monell, Colin Kern, and Bogdan Bintu
Category: 2025 Judges' Award Winner, Honorable Mention

An opening reception will take place on Thursday, October 9, 2025, featuring brief presentations from four UC San Diego students and scientists, each discussing their winning submission and the research that inspired it. The event is free and open to the public, and registrationis required. A digital exhibitwill remain online in perpetuity, allowing audiences everywhere to explore the images and learn more about the research behind them.