Glia

Acrylic on board, by Heidi Hehnly-Chang

The issues for Women in Science: are they silly or real?

I know I haven’t written an article in a long time, but due to an interesting discussion last night I thought I post this blog article about Matt Taylor, the amazing scientist who landed the Rosetta mission (European Space Agency)’s Philae lander on Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, which was the first spacecraft to land on a comet nucleus. And, here’s his quote that annoys the shit out of me “”The people I work with don’t judge me by my looks but only by the work I have done and can do. Simple.” Brodwin notes with irony: “If only women could hope to someday be judged that way too.””…. He’s also famous for wearing this shirt (hopefully you can see the pinups on it):

While I don’t really mind the shirt, I do mind it in a professional setting with news broadcasters.  It gives the impression that this very successful scientist has limited respect for woman’s input in a professional setting.

Since wearing the shirt he has given a hopefully sincere public apology…

However, the problem is, we should of course let him discuss his great science but science should not be presented in a setting where woman are objectified. I do hope he sincerely is sorry. I’d like to point out a case of a nobel laureate, May Britt-Moser, where they applauded her on her dress and forgot to discuss the science that won her the award. Dr. Matt Taylor is just one (albeit childish and silly) example of the vast problem that affects woman in science that should be at least acknowledged.

If you are interested in how Dr. May Britt-Moser won the Nobel, check out this page.

Shameless Self Promotion

Membrane traffic.

Congrats to Rochester’s graduating class of 2003.

This year is my 10 year reunion from graduating from University of Rochester.  I made this painting around the time of graduation and gave it to one of my besties (Christina Boice-Mallach).  I wonder if this painting is holding up better than me after 10 years.

Modern Art Cares about Science

Even modern art at the MASS MOCA cares about science.

I have a Tumblr Site.

I have a Tumblr Site.

Check it out! 

 

 

Endosomes and Centrosome; by Heidi Hehnly-Chang

I never get a chance to present this image, but I based the painting two posts before on it. Its an electron micrograph of the centrosome (the two little circles) in a nuclear invagination with electron dense endosomes surrounding it.  It is pretty nerdy but I also think its a beautiful image.

National Gallery, D.C.

This thanksgiving holiday I had the opportunity to visit the National Gallery in D.C.  Here were some of my favorite pieces:

Electronic Super Highway

Michael Goldberg

Joan Mitchell

Robert Rauschenberg

Lana Del Rey- This is what makes us girls.

She keeps popping up in my life. At first I was not into this at all, her smokey voice is getting to me though. The portrait of her on the cover of this album is utterly beautiful. Now I have the urge to go out and buy the whole album.

Membrane Traffic; by Heidi Hehnly-Chang

Multimedia painting. Golgi apparatus and secretory vesicles in green. Endosomes in yellow. Microtubules are black lines. Lysosomes and Multivesicular bodies are in red. The centrosome is the dark blue cylinders in the middle. Background was creating using different textured mediums and lace. Forefront contains papers and enamels.