Artist and TED Fellow Kate Nichols synthesizes nanoparticles to mimic structurally colored animals (in which microscopic surfaces interfere with visible light), grows artificial skin from microorganisms, and cooks up her own paints following fifteenth century recipes. Her artwork has been featured on the cover of the journal Nature, on the TED stage, and in the permanent collection of The Leonardo Museum, Salt Lake City. Nichols will give a behind-the-scenes peek of her unique practice, through which she navigates the permeable (and often messy) boundary between science and art.

Lunchtime Lectures take place on the first Wednesday of the month at noon in the Charlotte Wendel Education Center. Visitors are welcome to bring food and beverages.