microscopic view of green algae

Graduation Art Contest Submissions

For our 2026 graduation event, we held an art contest to showcase the creativity of our Biology community. You can spot the winning artwork in our graduation materials and gifts for graduates. We are so inspired by the work of our Biology students, staff, and faculty. 

Bio-Iridescence 

Sydney VanGlider

Illustration of a purple "W" with gold outline, featuring an orca, DNA helices, cherry blossoms, a hummingbird, and abstract patterns.

Bio-Iridescence is an ode to the vivid diversity of biology and to the local community of UW Biology. This digital painting brings together the many subdivisions within biology, including all undergraduate degree specializations: General Biology, Ecology, Evolution, & Conservation Biology, Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology, Physiology of Animals and Plants, and Plant Biology. This piece is marked by its vibrant colors and an intricate mix of distinct elements. Many of these are inspired by impressionism, including histology embedded within the W, the process of meiosis across the composition, and stylized protein structure. Retro-styled abstract forms that echo the organelles of the cell, emphasizing the beauty of the life we study. Organisms ground the work in UW Biology. The Anna’s hummingbird reflects the immediate wildlife of the Union Bay Natural Area and the many sightings that have shaped my connection to it. The orca tributes to marine ecosystems and the local pods of the Puget Sound. A tobacco plant references my own research in plant biology, while cherry blossoms honor the beauty and landscape of the UW campus. Together, these elements form a visual narrative celebrating both the science and the community of UW Biology.

Your Efforts have Born Fruit

Inga Gudeman

Illustration of a plant with red berries growing from a graduation cap, featuring the text "your efforts have born fruit!"

This art features Ribes lobbii, the fuschia-flowered gooseberry, throughout the cycle of blooming, pollination, and fruit development. The buds symbolize “budding” inspiration and motivation to study biology. With enough hard work, that drive and inspiration will flower, and with the helping hand of mentors, friends, professors, and support networks symbolized by the insect and hummingbird pollinators, the eggs within the ovaries of the flowers can be fertilized. Once fertilization occurs, a fruit will begin to grow, symbolizing the crowning achievement of graduating as a UW biology student. I have had the privilege to study plant biology here at UW and study Ribes taxonomy in the tribble lab. 

Birds at the University of Washington

Cynthia Han

Illustrations of bird heads labeled Anas platyrhynchos, Bucephala albeola, and Ardea herodias.

I was inspired by Charles Darwin's drawings of the Galapagos finches and wanted to do a local version to celebrate the diversity of birds at UW.

 

 

 

2026 Graduation Cap

Minny Murin

Biology-themed graduation cap with "W," "Biology," "2026" and nature illustrations including a bee, flowers, geese, a seal, and a microscope image of cells.

In this artwork, I chose to highlight how biology can be observed in life all around us, as well as how everything is interconnected, even at a molecular level. I reimagined the tassel of the graduation cap as a cherry blossom, whose bloom represents the beginning of change: as graduation marks a transition into a new stage of life.

 

 

Putting Life on the Dissection Table

Ada Lu

Aerial view of a science lab workspace with a DNA diagram and hands performing research tasks.

 

 

 

 

Through the Looking Glass - PNW Waters

Evelyn Bartlett

Illustration of various marine animals around a blue whale in a circular underwater scene.

 

 

 

 

Blobbling for Biology

Sarah Feng

A drawing of a blobfish with "UW" on top and "BIOLOGY" spelled with biological symbols on its body.

 

 

 

 

The Biology of Boundless

Anika Mapa

Two canines with detailed anatomical muscle structures; one in reddish-brown and one in green.

 

 

 

 

Biology Variety

Leah Major

Illustration of diverse biological and scientific elements, including animals, cells, and DNA on a white background.

Represents all of UW’s biology track. MCD (golgi, mitosis, DNA) plant (flower x section) physio (enteroendocrine cells) and evolution (phylogenetic tree of animal phyla) PS i can provide a  PNG with transparent background if necessary or with any color background!

 

 

Flutter

Nozomi Kobayashi

A colorful array of patterned paper butterflies arranged to form a large butterfly shape on a white background.

 

 

 

 

Realms of Biology

Autumn Haack

Collage of scientific diagrams including a brain, muscle, plant, chromosome, and evolution icons with a central blue "W."

 

 

 

 

In Bloom

Nora Tosch-Berneburg

Abstract pastel drawing of a colorful pink flower with green leaves and multicolored swirls.

In Bloom is an abstract oil pastel rendering inspired by lilies. The vibrant and energetic hues represent the energy of life and growth, reminding the viewer that flowers are not merely decorative but living things.

 

 

 

The Beauty of Anatomy

Eleanora Gilbert

A sculptural bust with multicolored abstract painting on a blue background.

An air dry sculpture of a face, depicting the facial muscles to highlight the elegance of facial anatomy.

 

 

 

Base Jumping

Arevik Dalakian

A gray and white husky walks on a purple DNA strand with "2026" molecular structure in the background.

 

 

 

 

The Montlake Cut

Maddie Mosher

A yacht passes near two swimmers in a sunlit, tree-lined waterway.

Oil on canvas.

 

 

 

Golden Hour

Tam Traisorat

A painting of a green hillside with trees and a blue sky, featuring two figures sitting on the grass.

 

 

 

 

Mystery

Anna Koves

Artistic rendering of three overlapping purple flowers with bright yellow centers on a black background.

 

 

 

 

Threshold

Evelyn Guo

A young monkey holding the leg of a person, with a toy monkey at its feet, looks towards a group of four monkeys sitting on rocky terrain.

This artwork draws inspiration from Punch, a baby Japanese macaque born at Ichikawa City Zoo who was abandoned shortly after birth. Raised by zookeepers, he found comfort in a plush toy that served as a surrogate attachment. The piece portrays Punch holding onto a caretaker while hesitating to approach other monkeys, capturing the tension between security and belonging as he begins to take steps toward independence.

 

Intertwined

Nicita Raamkumar

Two intertwined tree trunks form an arch in a teal and turquoise landscape with lily pads and purple flowers.

This painting shows two trees whose roots are intertwined and merged into one. It represents how living things can support each other to survive in even the most challenging environments.

 

 

 

Diploma

Daniel Lopez - Biology Advisor

Stick figure with the work 'diploma' underneath