2024 Health Science Campus Artist Showcase

An Artist Reception and Lecture will be held on Friday, February 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. on the 4th floor of Mulford Library. This event is open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided.

Dr. Rafael Garcia-Mata will deliver the featured lecture from 5:30 to 6 p.m. (see below for additional details). 

Lecture by Featured Speaker Dr. Rafael Garcia-Mata

"Toledo CellulART: Bridging Art and Science"

Most cell biologists these days use sophisticated microscopy imaging in their research. At the microscopy we are often exposed to two different types of information: one encoding valuable scientific data and the other beautiful images. These two choices don’t often go hand in hand. For example a beautiful image may have no scientific value and vice versa. I have found myself following the art over the science many times.  In this lecture I will highlight our efforts to put together a scientific meeting that tries to integrate cell biology and microscopy imaging with art. The meeting is called CellulART and has many unique aspects, including the venue, the speakers and the format, which involves scientists, artists and scientist/artists. We have already organized 5 editions of this meeting with great success. During the lecture I will discuss how this meeting has evolved over the years and what we are planning for the future.

Dr. Rafael Garcia-Mata is currently a Professor at the University of Toledo in the Department of Biological sciences. Originally from Argentina, where he obtained a B.S. in Biology, he then moved to the United States to pursue a PhD in Cell Biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham under the supervision of Dr. Elizabeth Sztul. Following his PhD, he continued his training as a postdoctoral fellow at UNC in the lab of Dr. Keith Burridge, one of the pioneers in the study of cell adhesion and migration. Dr. Garcia-Mata has published >50 publications in high impact journals, Including Nature Cell Biology and Journal of Cell Biology among others. His research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that control cell adhesion, migration and invasion in both normal and cancer cells.

Jennifer Giovannucci - The Marriage of Art and Science (2014)

• Classically trained, professional portrait artist Giovannucci discusses the history of anatomy in visual art, from ancient times to the present. She explores the connection between art, science, and medicine, and shares examples of her artwork along with seminal works throughout art history. 

Paul Brand - Create Your Own World (2019)

• Dr. Brand, associate professor emeritus in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences, discusses his background and lifelong love of art. He shares some of his own artwork, including paintings and drawings. Brand is a well-known local artist and teaches art classes in the surrounding region.