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The yearly Art in STEM exhibition at Florida State University, now situated in Dirac Science Library and online, marks its 11th iteration highlighting the exceptional research and artistic abilities of FSU students and postdoctoral scholars in the realms of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
This year’s installment of the annual exhibition, a joint effort between FSU’s Graduate Women in STEM association (GWIS), the FSU College of Arts and Sciences and FSU Libraries, showcases 26 pieces of art produced by students hailing from fields like ecology, neuroscience, solid-state chemistry, deep-sea biology, geology, biomedical sciences, and beyond.
On Friday, Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the FSU community is encouraged to partake in an opening reception and cast their votes for their preferred artwork at Dirac or vote online. The recipient of the people’s choice award will be declared at 4 p.m.
“The Art in STEM exhibition offers STEM students an avenue to exhibit their research alongside their creative endeavors, a facet that often goes unnoticed in STEM sectors,” remarked Kaylie Green, the GWIS president for 2025-2026 and a doctoral candidate in biomathematics.
The creators — undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers — employed a variety of methods to encapsulate and craft their works, including watercolor, scanning electron microscopy, photography, and digital design tools.
“This exhibition highlights the frequently disregarded artistic component of research and innovation. What enthuses me the most is witnessing how each artist visually interprets their work, presenting new insights into STEM through the unique lenses of their disciplines.”
— Arunima Mandal, previous GWIS president and a doctoral student specializing in computer science
“The exhibition underscores the often-neglected artistic aspect of research and innovation,” commented Arunima Mandal, a former GWIS president and a doctoral candidate in computer science. “What excites me most is observing how each creator portrays their work visually, providing fresh viewpoints on STEM through their disciplines.”
Maya Roselli, who obtained a master’s degree in geological sciences from the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science in August, is among the highlighted artists this year. Her photograph, “Life in Technicoral,” reveals the vivid hues of the now-extinct colonial rugose coral as observed through a microscope.
“This artwork illustrates one of the thin section samples I utilized while conducting an invertebrate paleontology lab,” noted Roselli, currently a doctoral student in the Department of Geoscience at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. “The vibrant shades visible in the image stem from the mineral composition of the specimen, likely calcite. Calcite is one of my cherished minerals because when examined with a petrographic microscope under cross-polarized light, it displays a stunning array of colors.”
Roselli’s inquiry at FSU concentrated on geochemistry and paleontology, probing the fossils of soft-bodied organisms dating from the Devonian period, approximately 380 million years ago. She employed geochemistry to unveil the chemical makeup of the environment during the formation of these fossils. Roselli also worked as a teaching assistant for an environmental science capstone course and as an instructor for an invertebrate paleontology lab. She captured “Life in Technicoral” through a petrographic microscope, a method introduced to her by one of her students.
“What I cherish the most about Art in STEM is the chance to pause and admire the beauty inherent in our work as scientists. It’s simple to become overwhelmed by the pressure of knowing there’s always more work ahead. Stepping back to appreciate how incredible and beautiful our contributions are helps to regain perspective and revitalize my enthusiasm for my work.”
— Maya Roselli, alumna of the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science
“What I appreciate most about Art in STEM is taking the opportunity to recognize the beauty within the work we undertake as scientists,” Roselli expressed. “It’s easy to get swept up in the tension of knowing there’s always additional tasks to accomplish. Stepping back allows me to admire how remarkable and beautiful our work is, providing clarity and rejuvenating my fervor for my efforts.”
The exhibition’s successful decade has kindled interest among students from outside STEM fields, including those majoring in media and communication studies and English, in producing scientific works. For Mandal, witnessing the diversity of contributions from various disciplines and backgrounds serves as a reminder of the deep connection between analytical and creative thought.
“This occasion transcends mere art display. It’s a sign that STEM is not detached from human expression,” Mandal remarked. “Science encompasses storytelling, emotional resonance, and connections just as much as it involves equations and data.”
For further details or to explore the 2025 Art in STEM digital exhibition, please visit artinstem.create.fsu.edu/. The exhibition will remain on display in Dirac Science Library until spring.
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