The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) recently unveiled the results of its renowned Faces of Biology Photo Contest for 2025. Published in the distinguished journal BioScience, this highly anticipated report highlights the winning entries, showcasing the dynamic and multifaceted nature of biological research around the world. The contest serves as an innovative platform, bridging the gap between science and society by portraying the essence of biological inquiry through vivid, impactful imagery. It is cosponsored by AIBS and the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB), entities deeply committed to promoting biological sciences and their significance in contemporary research and education.
The Faces of Biology Photo Contest transcends traditional scientific communication by offering a lens — quite literally — into the diverse environments and settings where biological research takes place. The contest’s objective centers on illustrating the human element and contextual backdrop of science, thereby fostering greater public appreciation and understanding. Diane Bosnjak, author of the BioScience report, elaborates on this concept by emphasizing how the contest’s visual narratives make biological research accessible to a broader audience, including policymakers. Such imagery not only informs but also inspires stakeholders to recognize the indispensable role biology plays in addressing global challenges, from ecosystem conservation to health innovations.
In 2025, the first-place accolade was awarded to Heather Frantz, a researcher affiliated with North Carolina State University. Her evocative photograph captures graduate student April Sharp as she reaches out towards a Spatterdock water lily (Nuphar advena) from a paddleboard on the serene waters of Yates Millpond. This image encapsulates the intimate interaction between researcher and environment, highlighting the meticulous care and hands-on approach characteristic of field biology. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the photograph conveys the critical importance of in situ observation and data collection, underscoring fieldwork’s irreplaceable role in ecological and botanical sciences.
The Spatterdock water lily, the focal biological specimen in Frantz’s photograph, is an aquatic perennial native to North American freshwater habitats. Its presence in the ecosystem plays a vital role in providing shelter and food for various aquatic organisms, as well as contributing to water quality through nutrient cycling. The careful study of such species offers insights into wetland health and biodiversity. Thus, Frantz’s image not only celebrates the act of scientific inquiry but also subtly draws attention to the ecological significance of the species under investigation and the environments they inhabit.
The BioScience report meticulously documents not only Frantz’s award-winning contribution but also the other distinguished winners, each demonstrating a unique aspect of biological research or the scientific experience. The entries collectively span a spectrum of biological disciplines, from molecular studies to ecosystem-level investigations, emphasizing biology’s inherent interdisciplinarity. Accompanying each photograph are narratives that deepen the viewer’s appreciation of the science depicted, offering context, methodology, and implications. This narrative strategy enhances the communicative power of the images, enabling lay audiences to engage meaningfully with complex scientific concepts.
All winners of the 2025 Faces of Biology Photo Contest receive a one-year subscription to the BioScience journal, ensuring they remain connected to current developments in the biological sciences community. In addition, Heather Frantz is awarded a monetary prize of $250, recognizing both the artistic and scientific excellence represented by her submission. The contest thereby not only rewards aesthetic merit but also encourages continued engagement and dissemination of biological research through creative and accessible media.
The 2026 iteration of the AIBS Faces of Biology Photo Contest is now open, inviting submissions from scientists and visual storytellers across disciplines. The contest rules encourage participants to capture moments that reflect the essence of biological discovery, whether in the laboratory, field, or other contexts. By participating, researchers contribute to an evolving archive of scientific imagery that educates, inspires, and connects diverse communities. Interested applicants can find comprehensive submission guidelines and further information on the American Institute of Biological Sciences website, ensuring that the next wave of scientific visuals continues this impactful tradition.
Photography as a medium has long been underutilized in scientific communication, yet its potential to convey data, context, and emotion is immense. Visual storytelling, as exemplified by the Faces of Biology Photo Contest, complements textual dissemination by providing intuitive, immediate access to science’s human and ecological dimensions. This approach aligns with contemporary trends in science communication, which emphasize transparency, engagement, and the democratization of knowledge. Images like Frantz’s water lily photograph transcend linguistic barriers, foster empathy, and can motivate conservation and scientific literacy efforts worldwide.
The integration of photographic art with biological research offers unique pedagogical opportunities. Educators and communicators can leverage contest-winning images to stimulate student interest, illustrate complex processes, and highlight the diversity of career paths within biology. Moreover, by promoting images that capture real research in action, the contest challenges stereotypes about scientists and their work environments, presenting biology as a vibrant, dynamic field accessible to a diverse population globally.
The report also touches upon the role of such contests in influencing science policy and funding. By humanizing biology and making research tangible, compelling visual narratives can sway policy discussions and priorities. Policymakers exposed to vivid portrayals of fieldwork and laboratory discoveries may be more inclined to support scientific initiatives that address pressing environmental and health challenges. Consequently, the Faces of Biology Photo Contest not only celebrates scientific achievement but also strategically contributes to science advocacy efforts.
Looking ahead, the continuing success of visual contests like this one underscores the growing importance of multidisciplinary approaches in science communication. The melding of artistic skill, scientific accuracy, and storytelling enhances public engagement, benefitting research institutions, educators, and funders alike. In an increasingly digital and visual culture, such contests can catalyze viral dissemination, inspiring curiosity and support for biological sciences on a global scale.
In summary, the 2025 Faces of Biology Photo Contest report, published by the American Institute of Biological Sciences in BioScience, provides a compelling tribute to biological research’s varied landscapes and dedicated practitioners. Heather Frantz’s award-winning photograph of April Sharp and the Spatterdock water lily exemplifies the contest’s mission to use visual media as a bridge between science and society. As the 2026 contest opens, this tradition of merging scientific rigor with visual storytelling is poised to continue making scientific discovery accessible, engaging, and relevant to an ever-wider audience.
Subject of Research: Biological Research and Science Communication Through Photography
Article Title: Faces of Biology 2025: Visualizing Biological Research and its Impact
News Publication Date: Not explicitly stated, presumed early 2025 according to the contest cycle
Web References:
- https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biag017
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biag029
- American Institute of Biological Sciences website (for contest submission details)
Image Credits: Heather Frantz (North Carolina State University)
Keywords: Life sciences, Scientific community, Science communication, Science policy, Science journalism
