Animating Biology: Janet Iwasa at TEDxWellesleyCollege

Janet Iwasa is a molecular animator and a new faculty member in the Biochemistry Department at the University of Utah. She is a current TED Fellow for 2014. Her broad goal is to create accurate and compelling molecular and cellular visualizations that will support biological research, learning and communication. Dr. Iwasa was recently recognized as one of the "100 Most Creative People" of 2012 by Fast Company Magazine. As a postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Iwasa created a multimedia exhibit with Nobel Laureate Jack Szostak and the Museum of Science, Boston, and later worked on biological visualizations as a faculty member at Harvard Medical School. She received her Ph.D. in 2006 from the University of California, San Francisco for her work on the actin cytoskeleton, and completed 3D animation training at the Gnomon School of Visual Effects later that same summer.

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In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)