Putting the “A” in “STEAM:” Bakar Fellow Dan Fletcher Encourages Showcasing Research Through Art

Originally from the University of California, Berkeley’s LinkedIn post

UC Berkeley bioengineering professor and Bakar Fellow, Dan Fletcher, is making waves on UC Berkeley’s social media pages for his creative approach to showcasing research.

Fletcher has been key to fostering an environment that celebrates the creative potential of researchers. Each spring, he curates an annual art showcase that highlights the artistic talents of his lab members. This event is more than just an exhibition; it serves as an exercise in creativity, a celebration of community, and a source of sheer fun.

In 2018, this tradition inspired a group of Fletcher Lab’s Ph.D. students and postdoctoral researchers to take their creative endeavors a step further by founding the Ground State Ensemble. This innovative collective aims to craft dance theater pieces that are inspired by the research conducted in the lab, blending scientific inquiry with artistic expression.

This year’s showcase featured a particularly special performance centered around the doctoral dissertation of Amanda Meriwether, who earned her Ph.D. in 2024. Her dissertation, titled “miRNA Detection with CRISPR-Cas13a Using a Split Guide RNA,” was transformed into a theatrical production titled “Mirna Goes to the Party.”

In this imaginative piece, the social metaphor of trying to fit in at a party is used to vividly illustrate the role of the Cas13a protein in detecting microRNA. By blending elements of molecular diagnostics with engaging theatrical storytelling, the performance brings the complex processes of scientific research to life in a manner that is both accessible and entertaining.

See the full video on YouTube: