GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The winning entries in this year’s Elegance of Science art contest — ranging from a mosquito carrying a load of botfly eggs to a representation of cells in the olfactory bulb of a human brain — will be recognized during an award ceremony at the Florida Museum of Natural History from noon to 1:30 p.m. March 21.

Several winners also will present the science behind their images in a series of short talks during the celebration of the diversity of scientific exploration throughout the University of Florida. The free event to be held in the museum’s Lucille T. Maloney classroom at 3215 Hull Road in the UF Cultural Plaza is open to the public. Attendees arriving early may enjoy refreshments catered by Panera Bread.

The Marston Science Library and Florida Museum organize the annual competition for UF students, staff and faculty who create two-dimensional images as part of their research or that feature scientific tools or concepts. The contest emphasizes the connection between artistic and scientific perceptions of reality.

“I look for images that are impactful or memorable and presented well, but also images that may have some broader meaning and emotion behind them,” said UF associate professor of biology Jamie Gillooly, one of seven judges from Gainesville’s art and science communities who evaluated 58 entries submitted for this year’s contest.

Entomology doctoral student Lary Reeves won first place for his picture of a mosquito from French Guiana carrying botfly eggs. At the time, the mosquito was biting Lary, who traveled thousands of miles and crawled through jungles collecting samples for his doctorate. Reeves also received an honorable mention for an image of moths in flight.

Pedro Cruz, a biological scientist in the department of neuroscience, won second place for his illustration of a mouse brain-cell culture enhanced by fluorescent proteins that are delivered to the cells by a special virus.

“I have been intrigued by DNA since high school,” Cruz said. “Even after so many years of doing research I still get butterflies when something new shows in the microscope.”

Jeremy McIntyre, an assistant professor in the department of neuroscience, took third place for his microscopic image of olfactory bulb cells. The image, taken out of context, resembles an oil painting with brush strokes attributable to Van Gogh.

Honorable mentions were awarded to Katie Dunton, Leah Palmer, Kyle Martin, Shannon Brown, Zachary Randall, Scott Cinel, Derya Tansel, Bridget Chalifour, Jiri Hulcr and Cody Kunka. Prizes include $150 for first place, $100 for second place and $50 for third place.

The Florida Museum will display the winning entries for six months. All entries may be viewed at www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/elegance-science/past-entries/2016.

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Writer: Claudia Perez Brito, printern@flmnh.ufl.edu
Sources: Andrei Sourakov, asourakov@flmnh.ufl.edu, 352-273-2013
Amy Buhler, abuhler@ufl.edu, 352-273-2879
Media contact: Paul Ramey, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu, 352-273-2054