About the science, the art, and the human behind it
The Science
My research focuses on the neuroscience of learning and memory, specifically the molecular and cellular processes related to memory. In other words, what happens in the brain when we learn and forget?
Memory (i.e., the ability of the brain to integrate new information) is at the basis of almost all cognitive processes you can think of: your personality, relationships, experiences, likes and dislikes… and it is also at the core of many pathological conditions like addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder. To me, it is fascinating.
If you would like to learn more about my research, check my publications here.
The Art
Throughout my academic career, I have become enamoured with the delicate elegance of neural cells, their synaptic connections, and the profound significance they hold in shaping our memories and experiences. This fascination has led me to explore how art can serve as a medium to express the complex interplay between ourselves and our memories.
Santiago Ramon y Cajal, the father of modern neuroscience, said: "Like the entomologist hunting for brightly colored butterflies, my attention was drawn to the flower garden of the grey matter, which contained cells with delicate and elegant forms, the mysterious butterflies of the soul, the beating of whose wings may some day (who knows?) clarify the secret of mental life."
In some of my pieces, you will find depictions of synapses – the crucial bridges that connect neurons and enable the transmission of information. These synaptic connections serve as visual metaphors for the emotional bonds we share with our memories and how they shape our sense of self.
I hope that my art captures your imagination, provokes your curiosity, and sparks a profound appreciation for the wonders of the brain.
The Human behind it
I am a psychologist and neuroscientist by training, driven by a deep curiosity about the brain and its hidden workings. But alongside the experiments and data, I’ve always felt a pull towards the visual—a need to create, to shape ideas not just in words and numbers, but in images. Whether crafting scientific figures, designing posters, or mapping concepts, I’ve often found clarity through colour and form. In 2021, I began sharing my paintings, and something shifted. What seemed like two worlds—science and art—began to merge. I realised they speak the same language: both seek truth, both rely on intuition, and both demand a sharp eye and a steady hand.
If you would like to read an article I wrote about the interaction of art and neuroscience for ScienceNordic, click here.
