Menu Close
Visual Science Communicator, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Garvan Institute

Kate Patterson uses visual language to transform complex scientific concepts for a general audience. Kate is a trans-disciplinary researcher working at the interface of art and science, using storytelling to bring together the historically segregated fields of technology, art and science.

Communication is a critical component of medical research and through the use of traditional animation, computer generated imagery and 3D animation, Kate transforms raw scientific data using the tools of visual arts and cinematography into a form that can be used for education, communication and awareness purposes. She uses both hand drawn, frame by frame animation as well as state-of-the art animation software (Maya and After Effects) to create engaging science stories.

Kate graduated from the University of Sydney faculty of Veterinary Science in 2003. She worked full time as a small animal veterinarian until 2005 and then continued to work part time in clinical practice while completing her PhD in cancer research, signal transduction at the Garvan Institute which was awarded in 2009. Kate was recently awarded an mPhil (Media Arts) with UNSW Art and Design titled Process: Characterising the Tacit Dimensions of a 3D computer biomedical animator.

Experience

  • 2015–present
    Lab Research Fellow, 3D Visualisation Aesthetics Lab, UNSW Art and Design
  • 2015–2015
    Senior Lecturer, University of New South Wales: Art and Design
  • 2005–2015
    Senior Research Officer: Biomedical Animator and Visual Science Communication, Garvan Institute Of Medical Research