In collaboration with Soul Stories Denver
Soul Stories curates space for difficult conversations and creates connection through dialogue, storytelling and creative expression. They host a podcast, monthly dialogue events, experiential storytelling and art events.
Franklin Cruz and Courtney Wilson
Franklin Cruz is a Denver artist working towards specificity over simplicity.
Courtney Wilson, PhD is a neuroscientist studying taste buds–she is also deeply passionate about science communication, music, and art.
Neelanjan Mukherjee and Mitch Slevic
Neelanjan Mukherjee, PhD is an assistant professor in the department of biochemistry and molecular genetics studying how protein-RNA interactions control human steroid hormone metabolism.
Mitch Slevc has been writing, producing and performing theater in Denver for the last 15 years, he is currently a professional pretend astronaut at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
The human adrenal gland produces steroid hormones important for metabolism, inflammation, sexual characteristics, and blood pressure. Overproduction of these steroid hormones cause disease, for example, too much aldosterone is the cause of high blood pressure in ~16 million Americans. The Mukherjee lab has discovered that RNA-binding proteins regulating messenger RNA (mRNA) decay control human aldosterone levels. mRNAs have a 7methyl-guanosine cap and a polyA-tail that protect them from decay. Their performance represents a dramatized version of an ongoing project in the lab.
Sarah Cook and Dylan Lee Lowry
Sarah Cook, PhD is a molecular neuroscientist with a considerate heart and an ardency towards knowledge.
Dylan Lee Lowry is an experimental filmmaker with a calming presence and an anti-oppression focus. Learn more about Dylan’s work at dylanleelowry.com.
Science historian James Gleick wrote: “We create memories or our memories create themselves. Consulting a memory converts it into a memory of a memory. The memories of memories, the thoughts of thoughts, blend into one another until we cannot tease them apart. Memory is recursive and self-referential. Mirrors. Mazes. In this piece, a two-screen video projection with live narration, Sarah and Dylan utilize art and science to look at the present moment… through the lens of memory.
Jesse Lee Pacheco and Kristen Wade
Jesse Lee Pacheco is an actor, poet, and performance artist from Denver, CO.
Kristen Wade is discovering her niche in academia by exploring ways to facilitate relationship-building and reciprocity between researchers and the communities impacted by their work.
Their piece uses poetry and mixed media to investigate the parallels between molecular evolution and evolution of identity and the Self.
Stephanie Garcia and Katie Wiegman
Stephanie Garcia is a Neuroscience PhD candidate whose research focuses on developing therapies to delay Parkinson’s disease by changing the gut microbiome environment.
Katie Wiegman is a dancer, choreographer, and Pilates instructor who loves to play and make all sorts of things like art and baked goods.
Accompanied by: Nile Russel, Rachael Brady, Leslie Conzemius
Steph and Katie’s work incorporates gesture, audio recording, dance and a moving set to explore how one researcher’s experience of impostor syndrome and self-doubt within academia parallels the greater human narrative of an individual’s struggle with their own inner dialogue, and ultimately their perseverance in spite of such doubt through perspective shift. The audience is invited to reflect on the symbolism of the boxes and the performers’ relationship to them, and what they mean to you.
Event organizers
Left to right: Hamish Pike, Kristen Wade, Shelsea Ochoa, Danny Mazur
Event photographer
Hannah Skewes
Venue
The Sterling Event Space
1261 Delaware St, Denver, CO