Art and science typically don’t mix, but on the Phoenix Bioscience Core, they compliment each other perfectly.

The PBC and its Arts Committee announced the second cohort of its Artists + Researcher Exhibit, which pairs local artists with PBC researchers to develop a collaborative piece of artwork that showcases the researcher’s work in a new medium. Our first cohort saw augmented reality that demonstrated head trauma, paintings depicting Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and much more. Now, the program is back with 10 new researchers and 10 new local artists working on new art for the community to enjoy.

The Phoenix Bioscience Core and its PBC Arts Committee have announced the 10 teams of artists and researchers working together to develop a collaborative piece of art. The teams are:

• Amy Armstrong-Heimsoth, department chair and associate clinical professor, department of occupational therapy, Northern Arizona University; and Suzanne Whitaker
• Derek Cridebring, director of the molecular medical division in the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen); and Zach Valent
• Johanna DiStefano, professor and head of diabetes and fibrotic disease unit at TGen; and Monica Aissa Martinez
• Evan Darzi, CEO of ElectraTect; and Jen Urso
• Melissa Herbst-Kralovetz, associate professor in the department of basic medical sciences and obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix; and Charmagne Vasquez
• Barret Michalec, director for the Center for Advancing Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research at Arizona State University; and Ann Morton
• Vinodh Narayanan, medical director for the Center for Rare Childhood Disorders at TGen; and Nicole Olson
• Chad Stecher, assistant professor in the College of Health Solutions at ASU; and James Angel
• Anne Titelbaum, assistant professor of basic medical sciences at the University of Arizona COllege of Medicine – Phoenix; and Mary Lucking
• Frederic Zenhausern, endowed chair professor and interim co-chair, department of basic medical sciences, director of the center for applied NanoBioscience and medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix; and Kim Buchheit

This is the second cohort for the Artists + Researcher program from the PBC. The first group, which included nine researchers from each of Arizona’s three public research universities and nine local artists, debuted in August 2022. The exhibit is currently on display at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport through July 2023.

“The artistic visualizations of science that were represented in the first cohort were simply outstanding,” said Cynthia Standley, chair of the PBC Arts Committee and professor in the Department of Bioethics and Medical Humanism at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. “The researchers saw their work displayed in a unique way and the artist created something in a way they haven’t tried before. Round 2 is underway, and in addition to UA, ASU, and NAU, includes researchers from TGen and ElectraTect. We are beyond excited to see where scientific curiosity and artistic inquiry take us next!”

The 10 teams in this cohort have begun their collaborative process and will work throughout Spring 2023 to develop their art. The art will debut in the fall and will be available for public viewing following a grand opening.

The PBC Arts Committee is supported by a transformative grant from the City of Phoenix. For more information about the Phoenix Bioscience Core and its art efforts, click here.