Science and art often meet in unexpected places — and João Maia, PhD student in the COMPASS Research Group at CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, is living proof of how this dialogue can flourish.

With a background shaped at the University of Aveiro, from a degree in Biotechnology to a Master’s in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, João naturally gravitated towards biomaterials and tissue engineering. That path led him to CICECO, under the supervision of João F. Mano and Rita Sobreiro-Almeida, where he continues his doctoral research.

Recently, the researcher designed the cover art for Aggregate, showcasing research he deeply engaged with during his PhD. For him, this was not only a scientific milestone but also an opportunity to express creativity beyond laboratory boundaries:

“When the opportunity came through to do a cover on a work I loved being involved in and that I learned so much during and with, it was irrefusable. The paper itself was rewarding, and the cover was just the cherry on top.”

For him, creativity is not separate from science but an essential part of it:

“Artistic and creative expression is increasingly sought after in science. We at COMPASS are highly inspired by nature and always try to replicate its perfection. Creativity is paramount in finding the answer to real problems hidden in the broad strokes of nature.”

He emphasises that scientists are also, in a sense, artists:

“Scientists are artists. We may not paint or sculpt, but we do have a canvas and (very expensive) supplies, so we try to make the best of it to convey our message. Finally, when it comes to showing your results, the ‘painting’ is paramount; your figures, your graphs, your experiments, need to be shown impactfully. Science demands artistry.”

This balance, however, is not without its challenges:

“It is not an easy task to bring together a personal artistic interpretation and be able to convey the message your work stands by. My first challenge was not going for the standard covers and instead opting for a hand-drawn approach. The difficulty was to outline my far-fetched ideas into a redeemable sketch that could both please me and others, while living up to the paper’s narrative.”

Beyond recognition, he believes these opportunities help researchers grow:

“It takes you out of your comfort zone and exploring alternative ways of showcasing what you stand by. Absorbing criticism and advice, while putting your work and personal expression into perspective, gives you tools and skills transversal to other areas of a PhD.”

And to young scientists, his advice is simple yet bold:

“Go for it. In science, that old tale of ‘you miss every opportunity you don’t take’ is 100% true. Science is artistry, and scientists need to explore creative routes to solve problems on a daily basis. Why not let creativity take over and make our work as engaging as it can be?”

Art in Science Competition at Jornadas CICECO

Inspired by this intersection of creativity and research, CICECO is launching the Art in Science Competition, an opportunity for artists, photographers, and enthusiasts to explore the aesthetic dimensions of scientific work.

Selected works will be featured during the upcoming Jornadas CICECO 2025.

-- Explore the previous winners: jornadas2024/gallery_photos.html