Matthew Ahn Wins First Place and People’s Choice at URochester Art of Science Contest

Context The Ed and Barbara Hajim Art of Science Competition showcases visual interpretations of scientific discovery. More than 50 participants submitted work that blends art, technology, and research, with the top three pieces installed permanently in the university’s main library. Over 500 members of the URochester community voted for the People’s Choice Award.

Key Facts Political science senior Matthew Ahn ’28 earned both top honors for his ink illustration, *The Architecture of Knowledge*. Ahn explains that the lower sections depict time‑measuring devices, while the upper sections portray increasingly complex geometric networks. He says each layer mirrors how scientific knowledge builds on earlier findings, inviting viewers to explore the piece at multiple scales.

Runner‑up physics PhD candidate Meg Farinsky captured a macro photograph of pink oyster mushroom gills, titled *Luminous Gills*. She notes that pink oysters are a hot research topic for bioremediation, plastic degradation, sustainable food, and fungal electrical signaling that resembles neural activity.

Third‑place biomedical engineering major Majd Tabsi ’29 presented *Strings of Life*, a DNA‑inspired sculpture made with about a mile of string. Tabsi arranged 250 nails on a 2‑by‑2‑foot board and completed 2,500 string passes over 30 hours, using software to translate a sketch into an algorithmic pattern.

What It Means Ahn’s dual win highlights the appeal of visualizing abstract scientific concepts through detailed illustration. The competition’s blend of art and research underscores a growing campus emphasis on interdisciplinary communication. As students continue to translate complex science into accessible imagery, future contests may see more data‑driven media, interactive installations, and collaborations across departments.

*Watch for the next Art of Science showcase in spring, where emerging technologies like augmented reality could reshape how scientific stories are told.*