Art of Research
Art of Research
Art of Rowan Research Contest & Exhibition
The Art of Rowan Research Contest & Exhibition celebrates student-created imagery revealing the artistry of scientific research and creative inquiry underway at Rowan University.
2025 Winners
First place
Rylie Jacobs
“Pachycephalosaurus Wyomingensis"
"This piece was a project for my Zoological Illustration class. Our professor asked the class to choose a dinosaur or prehistoric animal skull to illustrate that we found interesting at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. We were then asked to reconstruct what the dinosaur would have looked like when living; I chose the Pachycephalosaurus Wyomingensis. This piece was done in micron pen and ink in order to accentuate the texture and details of the skull and reconstruction. For the illustration of the skull I had an exact reference so I was able to render it as anatomically correct as possible, but for the reconstruction of the Pachycephalosaurus I had to do a lot of research. I went through many different images and articles about their fossils and anatomy so that I could illustrate what I determined to be the most realistic and accurate representation possible."
Second place
Scarlett McCourt
“Meteorite Mosaic - NWA 3118"
"My research project focuses on high pressure minerals inside of meteorites, such as the Northwest Africa 3118 meteorite in this photo. To achieve this photo, first, a very thin section must be cut off of the meteorite and mounted onto glass. This thin section is then placed under a microscope with 4-10x magnification and cross-polarized light. Under this lighting, the minerals express many different colors and textures (as seen in the photo) which tell us the story of its composition, formation, and thermal history. A camera attached to the microscope then takes a picture as it would be seen through the eyepiece. Meteorites can tell us the story of the Solar System’s origins since they formed before the planets, around 4.6 billion years ago. High pressure mineral phases give important insight into the meteorites thermal history, and can oftentimes act as an indicator of an impact event between two asteroids. These minerals are also important to understand the mechanisms inside the deeper portions of the Earth’s mantle, which has very high temperatures and pressure systems. The minerals we focus on include Olivine, Wadsleyite, and Ringwoodite. Throughout my research I have worked with my PI, Dr. Connolly of Rowan University’s Geology Department, along with Dr. Cari Corrigan & Dr. Tim McCoy of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History."
Third place
Matthew Heras
“Infinite Projections"
"This image captures the UV curing process of a photopolymer resin structure. The purpose of this structure is to absorb kinetic energy during a high velocity impact. Initially, this structure did not have such a complex lattice. The first design was a 2-dimensional extrusion of a rotating square model, which has existed for roughly 25 years. I designed this new model to be a 3-dimensional projection of that original structure. As the squares are projected and rotated into a higher dimension, they become octahedrons. This image is significant to me and my work, as I initially thought of the 3-dimensional design while watching the 2-dimensional model cure, and seeing the mirrors infinitely project its geometry. This image now shows the 3-dimensional model curing, and the way that its mirrored projections look. No AI was used. It was photographed with an iPhone using Portrait mode."
People's Choice (tie)
Courtney Hand
“Canine Skeleton Reconstruction"
The image depicts a 3D-modeled canine skeleton created to advance educational resources for veterinary students. This project was developed in collaboration with anatomists from the Schreiber School of Veterinary Medicine to ensure anatomical accuracy.
The process began with a 3D scan of a real canine skeleton, which was then imported into ZBrush, an industry-standard 3D sculpting program. The bones were recreated, with multiple revisions made for each vertebral and limb section to refine details such as shape, indentations, and unique bone processes. Each bone in the skeleton was modeled individually, making them completely detachable. This design allows for the isolation and manipulation (rotation, scaling, and movement) of individual bones, enabling anatomists to highlight specific areas for students to study.
One key goal of this research is to allow students to analyze canine anatomy without needing a physical specimen. By creating a fully digital 3D model, students can access the skeleton remotely, eliminating the need for a gross anatomy lab with a real specimen. The canine skeleton is also posed dynamically to demonstrate the full range of motion, showcasing the versatility of manipulating the bones without the need for redrawing or analyzing an actual specimen.
This research is ongoing, with the next step being the integration of the 3D model into a VR environment. This would allow students to walk around the skeleton and manipulate the bones in real-time, further enhancing the educational experience.
People's Choice (tie)
Druhti Brahmbhatt
"Muscle Fiber Composition"
Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle mass, strength, and function, affecting mobility and quality of life. This research focuses on muscle fiber composition, protein expression, and mitochondrial function in the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle of male mice to understand the mechanisms behind sarcopenia.
In this image, an immunofluorescence microscopy analysis highlights different muscle fiber types. The green-stained fibers represent fast-twitch (Type II) fibers, which are highly susceptible to loss in sarcopenia. The blue-stained nuclei provide structural insights into muscle organization. Analyzing these fibers helping us to determine how aging affects muscle composition, regeneration, and function.
Judges
- Tabbetha Dobbins, Ph.D., professor of physics and dean of the School of Graduate Studies
- Lori Marshall, assistant vice president of University Relations
- Mary Salvante, director and chief curator, Rowan University Art Gallery & Museum
- Andrew Hottle, professor of art history and communication studies, Ric Edelman College of Communication & Creative Arts
Evaluation criteria
Works were judged based on their artistic and scientific value.
Where images may be displayed
All entries submitted shall remain the property of the artist who submitted the entry. However, contest submissions may be displayed and used in the following ways with full credit given to the creators:
Displayed for public exhibit on the Rowan campus
Posted on Rowan websites
Posted on Rowan social media accounts
Reproduced in Rowan’s printed materials including magazines, brochures, signage and promotional materials
To view the rest of this year's submissions, page through this flipbook.
Questions about the contest? Email us at artofresearch@rowan.edu.