The ICVS Science Photo Contest 2025 once again showcased the stunning beauty and creativity hidden within scientific research. This year’s winning image, captured by Inês Pereira, brilliantly illustrates the powerful intersection of science and art.
Winning Photo: “A Toxic Relationship: When the Fungus Meets its New Gal”
In this visually striking image, human monocyte-derived macrophages from healthy donors are seen interacting with the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus (green). The image also highlights galectin-3 (red), a lectin involved in antifungal immunity, which is being studied for its role in phagolysosome function and pathogen clearance. Nuclei are counterstained in blue (DAPI), and the photo was captured using an Olympus LPS FV3000 confocal microscope at 60x magnification.
“A Toxic Relationship: When the Fungus Meets its New Gal” by Inês Pereira
The winner was officially announced during the ICVS Retreat 2025, held in Vieira do Minho on June 26–27, in front of more than 200 attendees, including researchers, staff, and collaborators. The image was met with enthusiasm, standing out for both its scientific relevance and striking visual appeal.
Inês Pereira receiving the award at ICVS Retreat 2025
Reflecting on her win, Inês Pereira shared “I’m truly honored to have won the ICVS Science Photo Contest 2025. It’s exciting to see our research captured in a way that resonates beyond the lab and speaks to both scientists and the general public.” And “Initiatives like this contest are important because they remind us that sharing science creatively can spark curiosity, promote understanding, and connect our work to a broader audience. Communication is part of the research journey.”
The contest, now a celebrated tradition at ICVS, encourages researchers to go beyond the lab bench and present their science through a creative lens. From the microscopic to the abstract, each image submitted told a unique story, capturing the essence, complexity, and elegance of scientific exploration.
We congratulate Inês and all the participants for their inspiring contributions. Stay tuned for next year’s edition and continue to celebrate the beauty of science!
