Few people would think to adorn their walls with images of MRI scans of a human brain, a micro-CT scan of a mummified falcon or an x-ray of a human bone. But a newly released monthly calendar produced by Research Western shows just how beautiful, and artful, these images can be.
Imaging has been identified as one of The University of Western Ontario’s strategic research strengths. Western, Robarts Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute are broadly recognized for leadership in research related to the use and development of imaging technologies.
The 2010 Images of the Future calendar, produced by Research Western showcases imaging research at Western.
By producing the 2010 calendar “Images of the Future,” Dan Sinai, Director, Research Development & Services, says Research Western is able to showcase the strengths of imaging at Western in a way that is accessible to the public.
“We envisioned the project becoming a kind of fusion between art and science that also made the research accessible to a lay audience,” he says.
“We have attempted to provide a small sample of ways in which researchers across the disciplines at Western and its affiliates are using innovative imaging technologies to improve our future, today.”
Among the many unique features in the calendar is an fMRI scan of President Amit Chakma’s brain, taken using the Siemens 3R Tim Trio MRI Scanner housed at Robarts.
A fMRI scan of Western President Amit Chakma’s brain was taken using the Siemens 3T Tim Trio MRI Scanner at Robarts.
The calendar branches out beyond traditional medical applications and shows how imaging can be used to demonstrate environmental changes, to understand the characteristics of materials at the nanoscale, to create artwork and look beyond our galaxy.
Sinai says members of the university community submitted more images than would fill the 12-month calendar. Although not all were used, he is pleased with the feedback from the campus community.
“It’s a fun way to tell people about research,” he says.
The calendar was designed by the Communications & Public Affairs department.
It is being distributed in tandem with the new issue of Research Western, which is also about the university’s strategic research strengths. The calendar will also be handed out to government and funding agencies, and other researchers and donors to raise awareness.
To view all of the calendar images visit the Flickr gallery at https://www.flickr.com/photos/atwestern/sets/72157622315631787/.