Past Art-Science Events and News
The ITMAT Artist in Residence Program was implemented in 2022 with the mission to devise strategies to deploy art as a multiplier of science communication. Explore the archives to learn more about our cadre of artists and the events you may have missed.
In the News:
September 5, 2025: "Students use art to change how we communicate about research," Penn Today (here)
August 18, 2025: "Students use art to change how we communicate about research," Penn Medicine (here)
July 26, 2025: "Science is often inaccessible. This Penn program is teaching scientists to communicate through art," The Philadelphia Inquirer (here)
November 2024: Dr. Carsten Skarke, Director of the Artist in Residence Program, presented a poster on behalf of the program, at the 2024 Fall CTSA Meeting in Bethesda, MD, winning a poster award for "Best in Show". The poster can be viewed here.
August 2025 Event at the Institute for Contemporary Art: Where Science Meets Art: ITMAT Artist-in-Residence Ceramic Showcase
The Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics (ITMAT) Education Program hosted Artist-in-Residence, Marguerita Hagan, MFA, and the 2025 Translational Research Immersion Program (TRIP) undergraduate students at the Institute for Contemporary Art for an evening where science meets art, fostering a deeper connection between researchers and the community. The 2025 cohort who, guided by artist-in-residence Marguerita Hagan, transformed scientific concepts like engineering heart tissues and using large language models into tangible, visual forms rendered on ceramic shields. These clay shields act as conversation starters, breaking down scientific jargon and making complex ideas more relatable.
July 2024 Event at Venture Café Philadelphia: Innovating Science through Art
During the event at Venture Cafe Philadelphia, the audience met the latest cohort of undergraduate students in the ITMAT Translational Research Immersion Program (TRIP) who transformed their scientific research into ceramic shields, guided by ITMAT Artist in Residence, Marguerita Hagan, MFA. The audience experienced first-hand how these clay shields act as conversation starters, breaking down scientific jargon and making complex ideas more relatable.
Artwork featured by 2024 ITMAT Translational Research Immersion Program Participants
March 2024 Exhibit at The Arts League: Visions of Complexity
A multi-media art exhibition at The Arts League exploring the connection of art and science, bridging the gap between the data-driven study of genetics and the deeply personal experience of mental health. The artwork offers a unique perspective on the challenges we encounter when striving to comprehend and treat conditions that are undeniably influenced by both our genetic makeup and the world around us.
Featuring ITMAT Artists-in-Residence Angela McQuillan, MPS and Julie Rainbow, MSS, with additional artwork by Manuel La Torre Poueymioru, Dr. J. Yasha Kresh, Yuying Rong, Dr. Arjun Sengupta, and Dr. Frederic D. Bushman, as well as anonymous contributions.
Artwork featured by Angela McQuillan, Julie Rainbow, and J. Yasha Kresh at The Arts League
July 2023 Event at Venture Café Philadelphia: Igniting Impact: Empowering Science Communication for Translational Breakthroughs
This event brought together undergraduates from the Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics (ITMAT) Translational Research Immersion Program (TRIP) who were learning the intricacies of translational science with Venture Café Philadelphia attendees to create a dynamic and interactive platform for practicing effective communication of complex research to a broad audience. Inspired by the concept of speed dating, this event encouraged young researchers pursuing a career in science and medicine to deliver concise and engaging elevator pitches about their current translational research projects. Angela McQuillan, MPS, the artist in residence, facilitated the event.
Igniting Impact: Elevator Pitch Conversations
Young researchers delivering concise and engaging elevator pitches about their summer research project with the public.
Contact Us
Carsten Skarke, MD | cskarke@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Director, ITMAT Undergraduate Initiatives and Artist in Residence Program
Colleen Itani, MFA | citani@upenn.edu
Associate Director, ITMAT Education Programs