Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has announced the winners of its seventh annual Art of Science competition, which highlights the intersection of scientific research and artistic expression among its community. The event, organized by the FAU Division of Research, drew over 200 entries from faculty, students, and staff—a record level of participation for the program.
The competition is designed to showcase research through photography and video, encouraging engagement between science, art, and the broader public. This year’s entries covered a range of disciplines including marine science, engineering, biology, and environmental studies.
Chelsea Bennice, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, took first place with her photograph titled “First Selfie … Cephie.” The image features an octopus appearing to interact with a diver’s camera. According to the description provided by FAU, this work demonstrates both the animal’s complex arm control and serves as an example of how scientific observation can highlight natural beauty. Bennice received a Meta Quest 3 VR Headset for her entry.
Gabriella Carvajal was awarded second place for “Sea Turtle Beginning,” a photograph showing loggerhead sea turtle embryonic development using candling techniques. Carvajal is a doctoral student in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science under Professor Jeanette Wyneken’s mentorship. Her research focuses on temperature-dependent sex determination in sea turtles and how climate change may affect their populations. She was awarded Ray-Ban Meta Smart Sunglasses.
Third place went to Sky Rueff from the College of Engineering and Computer Science for “Journey to Space.” Mentored by Associate Professor Oscar Curet, Rueff documented a high-altitude balloon burst nearly 100,000 feet above Earth as part of research testing an autonomous paraglider parachute system for safe payload recovery. Rueff received Apple AirPods Pro 3 as his prize.
A total of 31 winners were chosen across various categories including field work, laboratory research, postdoctoral achievements, staff contributions, research excellence awards, and honorable mentions. Judging was conducted by representatives from several FAU colleges and institutes.
Public participation is encouraged through the People’s Choice Award; voting remains open until midnight on Monday, Dec. 1 at woobox.com/2aig6x.
Winning images will be displayed at the Art of Science Gallery Exhibition set to open March 31, 2026 at FAU’s Ritter Art Gallery on its Boca Raton campus.
“Every year, the Art of Science competition reminds us that creativity is at the heart of discovery,” said Gregg Fields, Ph.D., FAU vice president for research. “Our faculty, student and staff researchers are not only advancing knowledge – they are showing the world the beauty within the pursuit of science. The images in this competition reflect the imagination, curiosity and passion that drive FAU’s research community forward.”
For more details about attending or viewing all winning entries visit FAU’s Art of Science Winners webpage or contact dorcommunications@fau.edu.
