Concordia MSc student Paola Marino has been having a busy year on many fronts.
She’s been conducting groundbreaking research in the lab of Ashlee Howarth, assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the Faculty of Arts and Science. The lab is in the university’s new Applied Science Hub. She’s also been gaining recognition for her photography work, which looks at science through an artistic lens.
Marino is passionate about turning STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) into STEAM — the added “A” is for “Art.”
‘I hope to continue bridging science and art even after my graduate degree’
How did you first become interested in the connection between science and art?
I’ve been interested in science from as early as I can remember, as it always fascinated me how scientists are trying to answer some of the most complex questions and find solutions to real-world problems. Finding links between things I see — paintings, colours, textures — helps me create a vision for the materials I synthesize in the laboratory.
How does the research you are currently working on influence your photographs of scientific images?
In the Howarth Lab, I am currently working on the synthesis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for applications in ophthalmic drug delivery, that is, topical administration or eye drops. As well, I am synthesizing MOFs using more environmentally friendly methods. The direct observation of synthesized MOF crystallites — either by eye or under the microscope — are the main influence for the photographs of my scientific images.