Art in Science Image Competition

At the intersection of cutting-edge research and visual storytelling lies the Art in Science Image Competition, hosted by the Microscopy Core Lab at UMass Lowell’s Core Research Facilities (CRF) and proudly sponsored by JEOL USA. This annual contest invites CRF members to share the breathtaking images they’ve captured during their research — images that not only reflect scientific excellence but also reveal the unexpected beauty of the microscopic world. Winning images will be featured in CRF and UMass Lowell promotional materials, displayed in our labs, and recognized for their contribution to both discovery and design. Join us as we honor the researchers behind the lens and the artistry that emerges beyond the data.

Eligibility

Competition is open only to CRF Members (Faculty, Students, Industry Users) at UMass Lowell. Only electron microscopy images will be considered.

Prizes

1. First Place: To be determined.
2. Second Place: To be determined.
3. Third Place: To be determined.
4. Honorable Mentions (2): To be determined.

Submission Deadline

The submission deadline is still to be determined.

How to Enter

Complete a contest entry form and upload your photos.

UMass Lowell Community Entry

External Community Entry

Judging Criteria

1. Artistic Merit: Composition, symmetry, and visual impact
2. Technical Merit: Clarity, focus, depth of field, and resolution
3. Context: Insight and clarity provided in the caption to explain the image’s significance

Meet our Judges

Our judging panel includes representatives from across UMass Lowell’s research and academic community:

• Dhimiter Bello, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, Professor, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences
• Paul Bryce, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, Professor, Kennedy College of Sciences
• Karen Hamlin, Executive Director, Core Research Facilities
• Anne Maglia, Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development
• Amy Peterson, Associate Chair - Master's Studies, Professor, Francis College of Engineering
• Misha Rabinovich, Associate Professor, College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Image Requirements

Images must be generated by the person listed on the contest entry form. Accepted file formats: TIFF, PNG, BMP, or RAW, file size must not exceed 35 megabytes (MB) and should be high-resolution; reasonable image processing or enhancement is allowed for artistic purposes only.

Submission Limit

Up to two submissions per person (complete a separate entry form for each image). Only one image per participant may win an award.

Questions?

Contact Anna Maria Routsi, Senior Lab Manager (email: annamaria_routsi@uml.edu) or Miguel Matos (email: miguel_matos@uml.edu), Senior Microscopy Technologist at the Microscopy Core Lab, CRF.

Copyright and Usage Agreement:

By submitting an image to this contest, you confirm that you are the copyright holder of the image and are giving the UML permission to use this image for media purposes, including but not limited to: website, social media, flyers, and event advertising.