Spotlight
Laolu Senbanjo: Tradition and Modernity in Visual Harmony
Laolu Senbanjo, also known as ‘Laolu NYC,’ seamlessly weaves tradition and modernity to create a visual language that transcends cultural boundaries. As a cultural ambassador, he bridges the gap between the ancestral and the contemporary, drawing inspiration from Yoruba tradition and coining two distinct art styles: Afromysterics and the Sacred Art of The Ori.
Dr. Salim Abdulla: The Heart and Soul of Malaria Research
Dr. Salim Abdulla is a distinguished clinical epidemiologist whose remarkable career has significantly impacted the global fight against malaria and emerging pathogens. With over 20 years of experience in conducting clinical trials and groundbreaking research, he has played a pivotal role in shaping national malaria policies and leading innovations in healthcare.
Throughout his career, Dr. Abdulla has focused on evaluating and introducing critical interventions in the fight against malaria. He conducted extensive research on insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs) and artemisinin-based combination therapies, leading to important advancements in national malaria policy formulation. Notably, he is currently engaged in the evaluation of new malaria vaccines and treatments, with the goal of achieving regulatory licensure.
Greg Dunn: Illuminating the Mind’s Artistry
Greg Dunn is a remarkable artist whose creative journey seamlessly illuminates the profound beauty of the brain and nervous system.
From his earliest artistic experiments, Dunn, who also holds a PhD in Neuroscience, found that neural forms possessed an innate connection with the aesthetic principles found in minimalist Chinese and Japanese sumi-e scroll and gold leaf painting. This revelation began guiding him toward a unique artistic path.
Patrick Corrigan: Empowering the Voice of Mental Health
rick Corrigan, a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the Illinois Institute of Technology, has earned numerous accolades and is renowned for his tireless commitment to reshaping our understanding of mental health and disabilities.
In 2022, Corrigan was honored with the prestigious APA Senior Career Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest, a testament to his lifelong devotion to this cause.
Daniel Beltrá: Capturing Earth’s Beauty and Humanity’s Impact
Daniel Beltrá, a Madrid-born photographer now calling Seattle, Washington, his creative haven; has a distinctive approach to his photography. His most captivating works are large-scale photographs taken from the air, providing viewers with a sweeping panorama of our world’s wonders and woes.
His unwavering passion for conservation can be seen from this elevated vantage point as he skillfully reveals the contrast of nature’s magnificence and humanity’s destructive footprint.
David Suzuki: Scientist, Broadcaster, Eco-Warrior
In the world of environmental activism, few names resonate as powerfully as that of David Suzuki. For decades, this Canadian scientist, broadcaster, and author has dedicated his life to championing the cause of environmental conservation and sustainability. With a career that spans over half a century, Suzuki’s relentless passion for the planet has made him an iconic figure in the global environmental movement.
Born in Vancouver, Canada, in 1936, David Suzuki’s early years were marked by a deep connection to nature. His Japanese-Canadian upbringing laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to protecting the natural world. Suzuki’s career took flight as a geneticist, where his pioneering research on fruit flies contributed to our understanding of genetics. However, he soon realized that his scientific knowledge could be a powerful tool for environmental advocacy.
Mike Libby’s Retro-Futuristic Wonders
Mike Libby, a multi-disciplinary artist hailing from the scenic landscapes of Maine, has a portfolio of eclectic sculptures, models, collages, drawings, and installations that radiate meticulous craftsmanship and boundless conceptual curiosity.
Libby’s Insect Lab project, born out of a love for science fiction, natural history, and storytelling, has truly turned heads and captured imaginations. It is a marriage of preserved insects and meticulously crafted mechanical components – a series that blurs the lines between science fiction and science fact.
Dr. Raman Velayudhan: Combating Deadly Mosquitoes
Dr. Raman Velayudhan is a seasoned expert in the public health field and a relentless advocate for combating the global threat of mosquito-borne diseases.
Currently at the helm of the Veterinary Public Health, Vector Control, and Environment unit within the Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases at the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Velayudhan’s impact is far-reaching.
Zaria Forman: Drawing Attention to a Changing World
Zaria Forman, a contemporary artist residing in New York, creates astonishingly realistic drawings of arctic landscapes. Her extraordinary talent and methodology have gained her critical acclaim, establishing her as one of today’s most influential artists.
Forman uses her fingers and the palm of her hands almost exclusively to create her drawings of quickly disappearing glaciers and icebergs.
Gary White: Making Waves in the Fight for Clean Water
Gary White, Co-founder and CEO of Water.org and WaterEquity, is a visionary leader dedicated to addressing the worldwide water crisis. His commitment originated from observing the severe conditions experienced by communities in Honduras lacking safe water and sanitation facilities.
Committed to effecting change, he arranged a fundraising dinner that generated sufficient resources to provide water to a village. This act served as inspiration for establishing WaterPartners International, presently recognized as Water.org, an organization that has significantly improved the well-being of millions of individuals worldwide.