‘When Art Meets Science’ image winners announced
30 August, 2023 
The exhibition, held at Parliament House, showcased images captured by Centenary Institute researchers in the course of their ground-breaking medical research.
Dr English’ artwork, titled ‘Water Lanterns’, depicted T cells responding to a viral infection in the liver. T cells, a type of white blood cell, help the body fight off harmful invaders like viruses, bacteria and abnormal cells. Dr English likened his image to lanterns drifting on a dark river, a tribute to the immune cells that have saved countless lives from life-threatening infections.
Determined by public vote, the People’s Choice Award was claimed by Centenary Research Assistant Heidi Strauss for her image of pancreatic cancer, titled ‘The Scream’. The image, she said, represented the distress and range of emotions that patients experience after a cancer diagnosis and throughout their cancer journey. Underscoring the popularity of her artistic creation, Ms Strauss also claimed the Centenary’s Staff Pick Award for her captivating cancer image.
Announced at a special event at Parliament House, the awards were hosted by The Hon. David Harris MP, Minister for Medical Research, alongside the Centenary Deputy Chair Mr John Samaha and Centenary Executive Director, Professor Marc Pellegrini.
Professor Pellegrini commented, “The exhibition has provided a perfect platform for our scientists to showcase visuals stemming from pioneering medical research. The images show the artistry inherent in our pursuit of life-saving discoveries and I congratulate all entrants on their inspiring and creative efforts.”
The artworks were displayed in the Fountain Court at Parliament House throughout August with the judged category prizes determined by professional art dealer Annette Larkin.
First Prize – Judged Category: ‘Water Lanterns’ by Dr Kieran English.
This image shows T lymphocytes, one of the most important immune cell types that protect us from infection by viruses, bacteria and parasites, responding to a viral infection in the liver. Reminiscent of flame lit lanterns floating on a dark river, this image is a tribute to the immune cells that have saved countless lives from life-threatening infections.
Runner up Prize – Judged Category: ‘The Silver Lining’ by Sean Gooding.
During the investigation of melanoma cells, we conduct near daily examinations of their growth status using light microscopy. To facilitate this process, the cells’ lining has been ‘enhanced’ with a literal silver glitter to aid visualisation. Sadly, there is great difficulty in seeing any silver lining when experiencing a cancer diagnosis. Medical research however, is dedicated to providing scientific advancements, to provide hope to patients suffering from this devastating disease.
Third Prize – Judged Category: ‘VIVID Stem Cell Diptych’ by Serena Li.
Inspired by Warhol’s Marilyn Diptych, these nine panels represent the potential of our stem cells. To uncover the mechanisms of genetic heart diseases, we generate stem cells from our patients to then generate heart cells, allowing us to study our patients’ hearts from outside their bodies. These panels show two cell lines: one from a patient with cardiomyopathy and the other where the genetic variant that causes disease has been corrected. A demonstration of the endless possibilities of cellular research, the images show how stem cells can grow into every cell type, taking us one step closer to animal-free research.
First Prize – People’s Choice and Staff Pick: ‘The Scream’ by Heidi Strauss.
This image represents the distress and range of emotions that patients experience after a cancer diagnosis and throughout their cancer journey. In this image we were investigating a specific marker that is overexpressed in pancreatic tumours that we hope to target to improve patients outcomes.
First Prize - Judged Category: ‘Water Lanterns’ by Dr Kieran English.
This image shows T lymphocytes, one of the most important immune cell types that protect us from infection by viruses, bacteria and parasites, responding to a viral infection in the liver. Reminiscent of flame lit lanterns floating on a dark river, this image is a tribute to the immune cells that have saved countless lives from life-threatening infections.
Runner up Prize - Judged Category: ‘The Silver Lining’ by Sean Gooding.
During the investigation of melanoma cells, we conduct near daily examinations of their growth status using light microscopy. To facilitate this process, the cells’ lining has been ‘enhanced’ with a literal silver glitter to aid visualisation. Sadly, there is great difficulty in seeing any silver lining when experiencing a cancer diagnosis. Medical research however, is dedicated to providing scientific advancements, to provide hope to patients suffering from this devastating disease.
Third Prize - Judged Category: ‘VIVID Stem Cell Diptych’ by Serena Li.
Inspired by Warhol’s Marilyn Diptych, these nine panels represent the potential of our stem cells. To uncover the mechanisms of genetic heart diseases, we generate stem cells from our patients to then generate heart cells, allowing us to study our patients’ hearts from outside their bodies. These panels show two cell lines: one from a patient with cardiomyopathy and the other where the genetic variant that causes disease has been corrected. A demonstration of the endless possibilities of cellular research, the images show how stem cells can grow into every cell type, taking us one step closer to animal-free research.
First Prize - People’s Choice and Staff Pick: ‘The Scream’ by Heidi Strauss.
This image represents the distress and range of emotions that patients experience after a cancer diagnosis and throughout their cancer journey. In this image we were investigating a specific marker that is overexpressed in pancreatic tumours that we hope to target to improve patients outcomes.
