Neuronal Cosmos wins 6th Annual Image of the Year Award

Evident has revealed the winners of its sixth annual Image of the Year Award, celebrating exceptional scientific imagery from researchers across the globe.

Selected from entries submitted from 34 countries, this year’s overall winner was Katie Holden of the United Kingdom for Neuronal Cosmos - a striking image of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurospheres composed of neuronal cells. These self-organising structures mirror the layered architecture of the human brain and are used to study how genetic and environmental factors influence neural development.

Holden said the star-like formation highlights striking parallels between astronomy and biology despite the vast difference in scale. As global winner, she receives either an SZX7 stereo microscope with DP23 digital camera or a set of X Line UPLXAPO objectives.

The materials science category was won by Muhammad Tahir Khan of Ireland, whose scanning electron microscope image of a lignin fibre resembles glowing desert dunes. He receives an SZ61 stereo microscope.

Regional honours went to Gerd Günther of Germany (EMEA) for an image of chicory stigma and pollen grains, Igor Siwanowicz of the United States (Americas) for mallow pollen on stigma, and Kentaro Mochizuki of Japan (Asia Pacific) for sarcomere structures within rat heart cardiomyocytes. Each winner receives a choice of upright or stereo microscope.

Additional honourable mentions were awarded to entrants from Europe, Asia and the Americas, highlighting the global reach of the competition.

Entries were judged by an independent scientific panel on artistic impact, scientific value and microscope proficiency.

“We are deeply inspired by the creativity and technical mastery reflected in this year’s entries,” said Wes Pringle, CEO of Evident. “Each year, this contest celebrates what’s possible when art and science come together to illuminate the unseen.”

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