A collage of diverse images: microscopic pink coral, a black-and-white urban scene, gardeners in hats, abstract pink buildings, a crocheted organism, organized medical supplies, a vibrant performance with dancers and green shapes, a mountainous landscape with hikers, an old photo of a man and donkey, and a close-up of a machine part.

Mar 19, 2026 Presenting the winners & top 20 finalists of the 2026 Image of Research!

Posted at 13:28h in Announcement, Awards by
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After reviewing over 75 submissions for the inaugural Image of Research competition, 10 have been selected from all post-doc and graduate submissions for a total of 20. A top three was awarded from each group during the Image of Research event on March 31st at the Marriott Library, along with a people’s choice award. Here are the winners & the top 20 submissions!

Faculty/Post-Doc Top 10

1st Place & People’s Choice Award

Two people stand in shallow, reflective water under a clear blue sky. Distant mountains are visible on the horizon.
Title: Searching for Life in America’s Dead Sea Author: Michael Werner, Faculty, School of Biological Sciences

2nd Place 

A child's hand reaches for an orange prescription bottle labeled for Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen. The child appears curious in the background.
Title: Unused, Unneeded, Unsafe Author: Jordan Johnson, Post-doc/Paid Researcher, General Surgery APC and Staff

3rd Place

Close-up of a spiral section under a microscope, showing intricate golden and brown patterns with branching lines, highlighted by a warm glow.
Title: Networks of Resistance: The Hidden Architecture of an ExPEC Biofilm Author: Alexis Rousek, Post-doc/Paid Researcher, College of Science
A surreal scene with pink buildings and geometric shapes flying through a purple sky. A person dangles mid-air, holding onto a door, evoking a sense of chaos.
Title: Op-ed Illustration on Homelessness in the US Author: Michael Hirshon, Faculty, Art/Art History
A person and child walk along a dirt path, bordered by lush greenery and leading to red rock cliffs under a cloudy sky.
Title: Carrying the Landscape in Upper Mustang, Nepal Author: Jessica Dicarlo, Faculty, School of Environ, Society & Sustain
Old, yellowed book page with faded text and visible paper fibers, slightly translucent. A faint handprint is visible.
Title: Invisible Labor in Book History Author: Todd Samuelson, Faculty, Marriott Library
Electron micrograph of two pink cancer cells with irregular, textured surfaces connected by fibrous extensions against a black background.
Title: When Cells Meet the Stars I Author: Hansjorg Schwertz, Faculty, Occ. Environmental Health
Dancers perform in vibrant costumes against a backdrop of large green orbs and colorful heart shapes in a surreal and energetic atmosphere.
Title:Outside Eye-Embodied Perception in a 360° Space Author: Luc Vanier, Faculty, School of Dance
Collage of two people gardening, wearing hats, surrounded by various yellow and orange flowers and hands holding seeds
Title: Storying Plant Communication Author: Mellisa Parks, Faculty, Communications
Black and white photo of a person in a denim jacket leaning towards the camera, with bare trees and a building in the background.
Title: Archival Encuentros: When Dance Remembers What Archives Forget Author: Kiri Avelar, Faculty, School of Dance
Graduate Student Top 10

1st Place

A hand holds layered collage fragments featuring printed figures, textures, and bold colors, arranged over a background of overlapping paper.
Title: Underneath the Yellow Woman Author: Jamie Nakano, Graduate Student, History

2nd Place 

A vintage handwritten document fills the frame, with a fountain pen placed diagonally across the page and warm sepia tones emphasizing aged paper.
Title: Broken Treaties and ICBMs: Cold War Conflict between Western Shoshone Land Claims and U.S. Nuclear Militarization Author: John Flynn, Graduate Student, American West Center

3rd Place

A bright snow-covered landscape shows a deep, jagged crevasse cutting through the foreground, with rugged mountains in the distance.
Title: Cracking Horizon Author: Cait Quirk, Graduate Student, Environmental Humanities
A dramatic black-and-white montage shows multiple overlapping views of a shirtless human figure, arranged in varied orientations against a dark background.
Title: BODY HORROR Author: Devin Glenn, Graduate Student, Film and Media Arts
An abstract microscopic-style image shows black circular shapes suspended in flowing neon-green channels, resembling incomplete fluid mixing.
Title: Incomplete Mixing Lamellae in Porous Media Author: Luis Ullauri, Graduate Student, College of Science
A large flat layout displays neatly arranged medical and surgical supplies, including gloves, tubing, gauze, packaging, and containers, organized by type.
Title: The Unseen Output of Orthopedics: Waste Generated During a Single Wrist Fracture Surgery Author: Emma Lester, Graduate Student, Health Sciences
A digitally rendered scene features pastel-colored bead-like strands draped over a rough, coral-like form on a neutral surface.
Title: Enzymatic Sculpting Author: Jake Pedigo, Graduate Student, Chemistry
A vibrant illustration depicts glowing golden spheres surrounded by elongated blue rod-shaped forms against a dark background.
Title: Small But Mighty: Turicibacter and its Fats Author: Darci Ott, Graduate Student, HCI June Round Lab
A monochrome, double-exposed image shows bicycles, stone structures, and trees blended together in a misty outdoor setting.
Title: Show/Hide All Available Layers Author: Mara Scallon, Graduate Student, Environmental Humanities
A soft blue flame or glowing form appears centered inside a dark circular mechanical opening, framed by metallic edges.
Title: Combustion: Unlocking the Elemental Energy of Biomass Author: Jieun Kim, Graduate Student, Chemical Engineering
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