A breathtaking collection of images capturing the wonder and complexity of medical science has been unveiled through the Centenary Institute’s 2025 When Art Meets Science image prize competition.
This annual competition invites researchers, staff and students from the Centenary Institute to submit striking scientific images generated through their work that also have artistic or aesthetic appeal.
The top prize for 2025 was awarded to the stunning image titled ‘Dark Transit’, submitted by Dr Angela Ferguson from the Institute’s Centre for Cancer Innovations. The image maps the complex landscape of cells within liver tumours, helping researchers understand why some patients experience disease progression and poorer outcomes. This work is also paving the way for the discovery of new therapeutic targets to improve treatment options for liver cancer patients.
Second place went to ‘Confetti Snowdome’, an arresting image showing colourful stem cells in a mouse cornea. This work helps trace how these cells repair and regenerate the cornea over time. The image was created by Dr Mojdeh Abbasi from the Institute’s Centre for Cancer Innovations who is researching how stem cell therapy delivered via contact lenses could one day help restore sight lost to corneal disease.
Third place was awarded to ‘Unseen Currents: Sudden Death in the Young’, submitted by PhD student Yuchen Chang from the Institute’s Centre for Cardiovascular Research. The image visualises the silent and unpredictable nature of sudden cardiac death in young people, contributing to research that aims to guide future prevention strategies and raise public health awareness.
Professor Marc Pellegrini, Executive Director of the Centenary Institute, said the images highlight not only the groundbreaking science taking place across the Institute but also the extraordinary visual beauty that often emerges in the pursuit of discovery.
“Every year, we are amazed by the creativity, skill and scientific curiosity of our researchers,” Professor Pellegrini said.
“These images give us a glimpse into the hidden worlds of cells, molecules and disease processes. They remind us that science can inspire and captivate just like art.”
Established in 2009, the Centenary Institute’s image prize is awarded annually, with winners selected by an independent panel of external judges.
The public is invited to vote online for their favourite image in the ‘People’s Choice Award’ component of the prize, which is open now at http://www.centenary.org.au/when-art-meets-science-2025/.
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Images:
All 2025 image submissions and image descriptions: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mp0frf7_UyvqYYI0uU1aoDZFKhC45mzr?usp=sharing
Previous image prize winners and image descriptions: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1BqoqWuGFZJIPt4_N7J9HUjGF2jIt-JD9?usp=sharing
2025 Winners: Yuchen Chang, Dr Angela Ferguson and Dr Mojdeh Abbasi https://drive.google.com/file/d/10aEYr68eje_QKWRkxuacPDc7D7VXcowv/view?usp=sharing
About us:
About the Centenary Institute
The Centenary Institute is a world-leading independent medical research institute, closely affiliated to the University of Sydney and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Our research spans the critical areas of cancer, cardiovascular disease, rare diseases, inflammation, infectious diseases, healthy ageing and biomedical AI. Our strength lies in uncovering disease mechanisms and applying this knowledge to improve diagnostics and treatments for patients.
For more information about the Centenary Institute, visit centenary.org.au
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