art & translational biomedical science

Scientists are increasingly confronted with 'science critical’ belief systems. Politicization of science has contributed to a growing hesitancy to adopt therapeutic modalities that are the product of sound scientific evidence. To overcome these barriers, we established an artist-in-residence program, now in its third year, with the overarching mission to devise strategies to deploy art as a multiplier of science communication. We wishto increase the connectedness of community members across science, art, and the public as a catalyst of knowledge transfer across siloed communities.

The artist-in-residency program is embedded in our Translational Research Immersion Program (TRIP) for undergraduate students at the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics (ITMAT).

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for scientific information to flow efficiently from one corner of society to the other. While science quickly delivered tools to mitigate risk of infection and disease for COVID-19, policy makers and the public failed to replicate a similar science-driven success in the communities (Jamieson, K. H. (2021) Nature Human Behavior 5(11): 1464-1465.). If we think of communities as a dynamic network of shared communication, knowledge and experiences (Figure 1 center) and we visualize that science and art embrace these communities (Figure 1 left and right) we have the opportunity to shape the network activity to the benefit of society. The scientific process needs to be deconstructed and re-imagined as artwork with the goal to communicate this human experience in the communities. Engagement with this artwork reciprocates with feedback. The artist-in-residency program embedded in the Translational Research Immersion Program (TRIP) at the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics (ITMAT) is geared to expand on these concepts.

About the Program:

The overarching mission is to devise strategies to deploy art as a multiplier of science communication. ITMAT embeds the successful applicant for the Artist-in-Residency program into the Translational Research Immersion Program (TRIP), an existing pathway program, exposing undergraduate students at participating institutions to the Clinical Translational Sciences (CTS), beginning with a 10-week mentored summer research experience. The ten-week experience includes a didactic curriculum with research seminars, professional development workshops, student ‘present your work’ sessions, career panels, and social events. The artist is expected to attend the curricular components and apply additional instruments suitable for data collection, such as administering focus group discussions with TRIP students and shadowing their laboratory research environments with the permission of their PIs. The program components will enable the artist to witness the evolution of research projects by immersing themselves in the human experience unfolding among the TRIP cohort. Regular discussions with ITMAT leadership and administration during and beyond the 10 weeks will accompany the artist’s endeavors of data collection, analysis, and the translation into artwork. The Artist-in-Residence is expected to engage in community outreach initiatives and shape the future of ITMAT’s Artist-in-Residency program. This residency is particularly unique as it will provide the opportunity to build connections and create networks with a broad audience. You do not need to have a scientific background to be part of the ITMAT TRIP residency.

Program Timeline:

• Summer 2024 (May 28-August 2): Attend & Participate in the 10-week TRIP (~13hrs/wk)
• Fall 2024: Production & Provision of Artwork
• Winter 2025-Spring 2025: Dissemination to the Stakeholders & Communities