Tell us about the scientific work and research that you do? How did you then make that into an art form?
Cirrina Lab started around 5 years ago when I was studying Biology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). I had been in love with microscopes since the very first time I used one in high school.
While I was studying at UNAM, the classes I liked the most were the ones that took place in the laboratory, where we had to use a microscope to identify or analyze different things. Everything we saw looked beautiful and intriguing to me; it was already art.
One day I bumped into a lab from my faculty that specialized in microscopic images called Microcine. There I met Alejandro Martinez Mena, who became my mentor and taught me everything he knew about microscopic imaging. I learned on my own how to crystalize different substances and started exploring other reactions to produce microscopic videos and photographs. I also became friends with the scientist in charge of my university’s aquarium, who provided me with microscopic beings to look at and record.
My research and art have now evolved to think about the type of art I would like to produce visually and then search online for elements that can help me produce what I have in mind. Once I have the necessary materials, I go to my microscope and film. Most of what happens are spontaneous and come from freely exploring interactions of tiny beings. I don’t have a plan per se.
What is your day-to-day research like? You also write for Newsweek and other magazines regarding scientific topics. What do you mainly research?
My day to day currently revolves around science journalism. I freelance and write for different national and international outlets like Newsweek, Science, Nexos, etc. I research and write about many scientific topics, including organisms, diseases, environmental issues, and science policy. I also write scripts for a Mexican science podcast called Mándarax.
I read about science news on Twitter or in different magazines or scientific journals almost every day and find stories I think are worth talking about. I think science journalism is key in today’s world because it’s directed to citizens and is critical about scientific endeavors. It contextualizes science in terms of why it matters today, who it’s made for, and by whom it’s made. I’ve written about many scientific things, like a Mexican octopus species that could warn humans when the ocean is getting irreversibly warm because of climate change.
