UCLA SCI|ART NanoLab

Adam Stieg currently serves as both the Director of the Sci | Art NanoLab and Scientific Director of Nano and Pico Characterization at the California NanoSystems Institute. Originally raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Adam received his B.A. from Drew University and Ph.D. in Physical-Inorganic Chemistry from UCLA where he continues to carry out nanoscience research as a Faculty Researcher. His research is focused on the development and application of new experimental methods, specifically in the field of scanning probe microscopy, toward development of an integrated understanding of matter at the interfaces of traditionally defined boundaries. His direct involvement in a variety of collaborative, interdisciplinary research projects between the arts and sciences has provided both inspiration and motivation for bringing the power of such creative approaches to the forefront of education.

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Victoria Vesna is a media artist, professor at the department of Design | Media Arts at the UCLA School of the Arts. She is also director of the recently established UCLA Art|Sci center and the UC Digital Arts Research Network. Her work can be defined as experimental creative research that resides between disciplines and technologies. She explores how communication technologies affect collective behavior and how perceptions of identity shift in relation to scientific innovation. Victoria has exhibited her work in 18 solo exhibitions, over 70 group shows, published 20+ papers and gave a 100+ invited talks in the last decade. She is recipient of many grants, commissions and awards, including the Oscar Signorini award for best net artwork in 1998 and the Cine Golden Eagle for best scientific documentary in 1986. She holds a PhD from the University of Wales, UK and is he North American editor of AI & Society and author of Database Aesthetics.

Professor Jim Gimzewski is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, the Director of the CNSI Nano & Pico Characterization Lab and the Scientific Director of the Art|Sci Center at the University of California, Los Angeles. Prior to joining the UCLA faculty, he was a group leader at IBM Zurich Research Laboratory, where he research in nanoscale science and technology for more than 18 years. Jim pioneered research on mechanical and electrical contacts with single atoms and molecules using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). His accomplishments include the first STM-based fabrication of molecular suprastructures at room temperature using mechanical forces to push molecules across surfaces, the discovery of single molecule rotors and the development of new micromechanical sensors based on nanotechnology, which explore ultimate limits of sensitivity and measurement. Jim’s most recent honors includes the 2009 Fellow of The Royal Society, 2009 Carnegie Centenary Professorship from the Universities of Scotland, and 2008 Dr. Honoris Causa, Université de la Méditerranée, Aix-Marseille II, presented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, France. His achievements include 216 publications in international journals, 389 invited talks and 17 patents.