EP 62: 2025 Repro BioArt Awards with Avery Hlavacek, and Lyda Yuliana Parra Forero

In this episode of The Future Conceived, hosts Pam Monahan and Ana Cheong sit down with the brilliant minds behind the stunning winning images of the 2025 SSR Repro BioArt Contest. This annual competition, organized by the Society for the Study of Reproduction's Public Affairs Committee, celebrates the extraordinary beauty, creativity, and discovery revealed under the microscope.

Meet the Winners & Their Masterpieces
Lyda Yuliana Parra Forero (People’s Choice Award Winner): A postdoctoral researcher at the University of Illinois, Lyda shares the story behind her jaw-dropping 3D reconstruction of a bovine embryo. Stained for F-actin (green) and nuclei (magenta) using confocal microscopy Z-stacks, her image highlights the cellular elegance of compaction, proliferation, and differentiation.

Avery Hlavacek (Members’ Choice Award Winner): A PhD student at the University of Missouri, Avery captured the hearts of the SSR community with a beautiful, charismatic portrait of a transgenic CF-1 mouse. This EGFP-reporter model allows her lab to visualize delicate spindle behavior and microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) during meiosis I without disrupting normal biological functions.

Learn more about the Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR) at www.ssr.org.

Note: AI tools were utilized in the generation of the transcript and summary for this episode. All content has been rigorously reviewed by the Future Conceived team for accuracy.

Transcript

00:00:00 Speaker 1 (Pam Monahan): Hello, listeners, and welcome to this episode of The Future Conceived, the official podcast of the Society for the Study of Reproduction. This podcast is sponsored by the Virtual Education Committee of the SSR, which is dedicated to education, highlighting member careers and sharing the latest scientific advancements in reproductive biology. So thank you for listening. Um, my name is Pam Monahan and I'm a lecturer in obstetrics and gynecology from Northwestern University. And I'll be one of your hosts for this episode.

00:00:29 Speaker 2 (Ana Cheong): Hello, everyone. And my name is Ana Cheong, and I am a research associate at Harvard Chan School of Public Health. And I will be your host for this podcast episode.

00:00:39 Speaker 1 (Pam Monahan): So today, we're excited to welcome the awardees of the BioArt contest. This contest celebrates the most captivating scientific images created and submitted by members of the Society for the Study of Reproduction. Organized each year by the Public Affairs Committee, the BioArt contest highlights the beauty and creativity within reproductive biology. One winning image is chosen by SSR members, while another is selected by the broader scientific community. The 2025 winners were announced this July at the SSR Annual Meeting, and we have the pleasure of chatting with them today.

00:01:12 Speaker 2 (Ana Cheong): So let's start by getting to know this year's awardees. First is the recipient of the People's Choice Award for the SSR Repro BioArt contest, Lyda. Hello. Could you please briefly introduce yourself and your current research interests?

00:01:30 Speaker 3 (Lyda Yuliana Parra Forero): Thank you, thank you. Of course. My name is Lyda Yuliana Parra Forero. I studied veterinary medicine at the National University of Colombia. I was born in Bogota, and I completed both my master's and my PhD in Agricultural Science in Mexico. In my PhD, I graduated in toxicology, and I focused on reproductive biology in combination with toxicology. I do clinic work, too. Uh, yeah. My profile is, uh, quite varied and is multidisciplinary. Uh, currently I'm a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Illinois. My work revolves around two main areas. Uh, first is evaluating how the different toxic effects of various compounds impact preimplantation embryo development and uterine functionality, principally. And second, I am working on developing an artificial intelligence model that can simulate and analyze, uh, single-celled blastomeres within the blastocyst. Uh, our goal in the future is to create a tool that allows for a more accurate reproductive assessment based on how preimplantation embryos respond to different molecules, uh, including even pharmaceutical products.

00:03:19 Speaker 2 (Ana Cheong): Thank you. So next is the recipient of the Members' Choice Award.

00:03:23 Speaker 4 (Avery Hlavacek): I am Avery Hlavacek and I am a PhD student under Doctor Ahmed Balboula at the University of Missouri. Um, so our lab specifically works, uh, with meiosis I, uh, mainly using mouse as a model, but we do also work with bovine and porcine. Um, my background is nothing too crazy. Um, I received my Associate of Science up in Iowa, and then I received my Bachelor of Science in Animal Science here at the University of Missouri. And I loved it so much and I loved working with my PI. So I decided to stay here for grad school and get my PhD. Um, so kind of what we know is that as a woman ages, her fertility rate starts to go down. And one of the more prevalent causes of this infertility is going to be aneuploidy, which is the abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell. So me specifically, I work with looking at the molecular mechanisms that regulate spindle migration in oocytes, um, hopefully in order to mitigate these occurrences of aneuploidy. Um, and again, aneuploidy is the leading cause of miscarriage and congenital abnormalities, kind of like Down syndrome. So I mainly use mice, but again, I also work with bovine and porcine. Um, and that is where most of my research is. But then also I do use human as a confirmation. So hopefully all of our research in our lab can be applied into the human reproductive world as well.

00:05:10 Speaker 2 (Ana Cheong): Um, really very nice to meet both of you and to learn about your research. And it's also interesting to have this conversation here about art on a science podcast. So at first you may think that these are two different things, but they are actually deeply connected to each other. Right, Pam?

00:05:27 Speaker 1 (Pam Monahan): Yeah. No, as biologists, I think we spend so much time looking closely at the natural world under our microscopes, through our data, you know, in the lab every day. And I think we can't help but be amazed by the beauty that science reveals. Uh, there's an artistry in the patterns, the structures, the colors, and even the process of discovery itself. I think that's what makes the BioArt contest so special is that it reminds us that science isn't just about facts and figures. No matter how much we want to think it is. It really is also about the wonder, creativity, and seeing the world through a different lens. Uh, speaking of the beauty in our science, could you maybe describe the background about the artwork that you submitted to this contest? Um, and I'll start with Avery.

00:06:19 Speaker 4 (Avery Hlavacek): Yeah. Um, so my picture is the mouse picture. Um, and so, uh, our lab, kind of like what I stated, uh, focuses on female meiosis and early embryo development. And, uh, we like to look at how these crucial developmental periods can lead to aneuploidy. And, uh, one thing that we do utilize a lot are transgenic mouse models, because again, these are going to be crucial to help us understand these events. Um, so this mouse specifically is an example of one of our transgenic mice. Um, so we generated this EGFP-reporter CF-1 mouse model, which again is the one that's pictured. And so what this model allows us to do is it allows us to label the spindle poles in the oocytes without having to perturb or overexpress anything that might be going on. Um, so it keeps biological function completely normal. And so again, um, this model is going to allow us to visualize like spindle behavior, um, organization, stuff like that, um, as well as microtubule organizing centers, or MTOCs. Uh, those structures are also a very large focus in our lab. Um, and again, these models are great because it's allowing us to, you know, study these oocytes and maturation processes without having to artificially arrest them or without having to do any microinjection of any cRNAs.

00:07:58 Speaker 1 (Pam Monahan): Did you have any kind of inspiration or message behind the artwork that was outside of, like, the scientific portion of it?

00:08:05 Speaker 4 (Avery Hlavacek): Yeah. So I wanted to spice things up a little bit this year. Um, obviously we all love looking at our pretty, like, fluorescent images of cells or tissues, everything like that. Um, but I kind of wanted to give focus on the animals that might not necessarily be thought of all the time. Um, so it is estimated that there are over one hundred million rats and mice that are used annually for scientific research globally. And so, you know, without their contributions, you know, we would have so many diseases, disorders, physiological abnormalities that, you know, may not have been discovered or even studied without, you know, these animals. And since mice are crucial models for biomedical research and, you know, specifically reproductive biology, I just really wanted to give credit to these animals that have, you know, given their lives to further our research, you know, make human health better. And again, they're just little rodents who just make our jobs, our jobs. And I just really wanted to make sure that people are fully acknowledging what they're giving to us.

00:09:17 Speaker 1 (Pam Monahan): And you had a very photogenic little subject there. Oh, yeah. Amazing picture.

00:09:23 Speaker 4 (Avery Hlavacek): Yeah. It, uh, many, many images on my camera roll of her in different positions and stuff. And it was actually pretty hard to narrow it down just to one picture that I really liked. Yes. Um, and I was like, oh, I just feel like this is the one. So I was like, we'll spice things up a little bit.

00:09:41 Speaker 1 (Pam Monahan): Well, obviously it, it won an award. So your subject proved to be a great model.

00:09:47 Speaker 4 (Avery Hlavacek): Yeah.

00:09:47 Speaker 1 (Pam Monahan): In more ways than one.

00:09:49 Speaker 4 (Avery Hlavacek): Yeah.

00:09:50 Speaker 1 (Pam Monahan): Fantastic. Um, and then I think, Lyda, we want to look at your art as well. So if we can pop that up, uh, could you describe the background about your artwork?

00:10:02 Speaker 3 (Lyda Yuliana Parra Forero): Of course. Um, the image features, um, a bovine embryo stained for F-actin. You can see the lines in green, uh, which outline the blastomeres, and in the center, you can see the little circles are the nuclei, shown in magenta. Uh, we used confocal microscopy with a Z-stack to create a 3D reconstruction of the embryo. Uh, this allowed us to extract deliberate, uh, variables such as area, volume, and fluorescence intensity. Uh, through this, we are aiming to gain deeper insight into processes like cell compaction, proliferation, and differentiation within the embryo. Yeah. In resume, it is this.

00:11:02 Speaker 1 (Pam Monahan): Great. Could you tell us maybe what your inspiration was, or if there was another message outside of the scientific message for your artwork?

00:11:10 Speaker 3 (Lyda Yuliana Parra Forero): Yeah. Um, you know, as scientists, uh, we strive to gather as much information as possible from each image, each experiment. Uh, this particular embryo is just one of many, uh, but sometimes the universe aligns perfectly. The protein expression, cell position, and even the microscope behaves just right. Yeah. After months of standardization and hard work with my colleague, it was achieved under my postdoc advisor, Dr. Ana Mesa. We finally captured this image. It represents, uh, not just data, but, uh, the beauty. The beauty of biology when everything, everything comes together.

00:12:05 Speaker 1 (Pam Monahan): Yeah, I agree. It's...

00:12:07 Speaker 4 (Avery Hlavacek): Yeah.

00:12:08 Speaker 1 (Pam Monahan): You don't ever realize how much work goes into one image until you spend lots of your time and lots of your brainpower to create something that you're proud of. Um, yeah. Or an experiment that actually works.

00:12:24 Speaker 3 (Lyda Yuliana Parra Forero): Yeah, definitely. One of the biggest challenges was standardizing the protocols, validating antibodies, optimizing incubation times, and, and so on.

00:12:39 Speaker 2 (Ana Cheong): Since you're describing about all the challenges that you've encountered, I wonder if you have any words of wisdom for people who are doing some research work that is similar to yours and also encountering these kinds of challenges.

00:12:56 Speaker 3 (Lyda Yuliana Parra Forero): Another major, I think, obstacle was access to the embryos, which is both expensive and limited. Um, for this special problem, you know, perseverance was the key. I also had to learn to better manage frustration and embrace problem-solving as part of the scientific, scientific process. And in the end, um, the resilience and a strong support network made all the difference. I think so.

00:13:34 Speaker 2 (Ana Cheong): And so how about you, Avery? Have you encountered any challenges when bringing your vision to life in the image and how did you overcome them?

00:13:43 Speaker 4 (Avery Hlavacek): So I feel like my challenges might be what you could expect when working with a rodent. Um, so I was very fortunate that she was a chunky little mouse, so she was very, very tolerant. Um, so she let me, like, pick her up, put her down, put her in different positions. Um, it was very repetitive. I had, like, small beakers, I had large beakers, you know, pipettes. I basically had, like, a whole photoshoot for this mouse. Um, so yeah, again, my challenges are a little different. Um, so trying to get a picture that not only did, you know, she look cute, but I also felt like still captured the science aspect of what I was doing. Um, so yeah, I mean, in overcoming it, it was just, you know, trying to be patient, not being like, "Why aren't you holding still?" Um, but yeah, it's just very many photos that had to be taken in order to get a good shot. Uh, so again, it's a little different. Um, but yeah, I mean, I feel like that's just a challenge that I feel like we work with whenever we use animal models for different things, is that you just kind of have to learn to be patient. The animal's going to do what it wants to do. You know, you can't force it to do stuff, and they also have no idea what's going on. So patience is definitely key when working with rodents.

00:15:05 Speaker 1 (Pam Monahan): I think that's definitely generally the theme for science in general. You need to have patience or you have to learn how to be patient.

00:15:13 Speaker 4 (Avery Hlavacek): Yeah, very few times does science work right off the bat.

00:15:18 Speaker 1 (Pam Monahan): Yeah. That's, that's always the hardest lesson to learn. Uh, so I'm kind of curious for the both of you, what roused your artistic spirit and influenced you to submit your art to the art contest?

00:15:30 Speaker 3 (Lyda Yuliana Parra Forero): I believe that the more you work, uh, the closer you get to your goal. You know, uh, nature is art in itself. Uh, we are just adding the color. Yeah, it's, I think is the romantic part. I was inspired by the many scientific papers I read over the years, filled with incredible images. When I finally captured an image like this, I felt the need to share it with my colleagues and the world, with you all.

00:16:10 Speaker 4 (Avery Hlavacek): I've always been one that's loved photography, I loved images—one of my favorite things to do after spending almost a week on experiments is I love getting to go to, you know, our little confocal microscopy room and taking images. So being able to bring my research to life and being able to kind of explain that to the general public has always been something I've really enjoyed. Um, so I did also enter the contest last year with some oocytes. Uh, but again, I wanted to spice things up a little bit this year. Um, I have always, always been an animal lover. Uh, I've always, you know, liked mice and rats, which I know some people are kind of like, "Ew," but um, I've, I've always loved them. I've had them as pets before. And so I just, I really wanted to kind of, you know, show that aspect of myself. Uh, not only am I a researcher that is using animal models, but I'm also a researcher who, you know, appreciates what they can give to us, um, all of the contributions that they've done. Um, and again, you know, estimated over one hundred million rats and mice are used annually, and I just really wanted to, you know, speak on how important they are for all of our research. And yeah, I just kind of wanted to do something a little different that hopefully the general public was like, "That's a cute mouse." Yeah, yeah. Hopefully, they get interested in, "I want to learn more."

00:17:36 Speaker 1 (Pam Monahan): I think it paid off, obviously.

00:17:38 Speaker 4 (Avery Hlavacek): Yeah, yeah. Most people would be like, "Oh, you submitted a mouse?" And I'm like, "Wait till you hear my reasoning." And then I get to talk about my research. And people are automatically interested right away because sometimes, you know, the more in-depth you work with science, you kind of lose the general public whenever you talk very in-depth. So I also thought it was kind of like a nice segue for the general public to get excited about science and want to ask about it.

00:18:06 Speaker 1 (Pam Monahan): Definitely, I completely agree. Uh, yeah, it's, it's so inspiring to hear about how each of you brought your vision to life and what each of your images actually represents to you and kind of to our science. Uh, I'm sure others in the SSR community would love to do the same. What advice would you share with fellow scientific artists thinking about submitting their work to the BioArt contest for the upcoming meetings? Avery.

00:18:36 Speaker 4 (Avery Hlavacek): Um, so my biggest thing is, you know, definitely submit what you love and what you're passionate about. Uh, hopefully at this stage of all of our careers, you know what you're doing and you love what you're doing. And whenever you are passionate about your own work, it's a lot easier to make other people passionate about it. So even if your research or your image is kind of coming from out of the box, or it's like a different perspective, or, kind of like I said, I submitted an animal photo this year, which was, you know, a little bit different than most people. Um, it's just to, like, be passionate, love what you do, um, be original. I think originality is key, you know, try to, you know, have fun with what you're doing, make it pretty. And then when you're passionate about it and you're excited about it, then, you know, you tell your coworkers like, "Hey, look at this photo I submitted. You know, feel free to vote if you would like." And then getting just to share it and, again, getting people excited is really what you want to do because then you get to talk about your research. So just love what you do and do what you're passionate about.

00:19:45 Speaker 1 (Pam Monahan): Yeah. Lyda.

00:19:47 Speaker 3 (Lyda Yuliana Parra Forero): Don't give up. Keep fighting for your goals is the first thing I think we need. Um, we need to obtain the mentality, yes. Uh, patience and perseverance are essential. Um, your hard work will pay off and every small step takes you closer to achieving something meaningful, both scientifically and artistically. Yeah. Uh, if we prepare good things, we expect good things because we work for this. That's all.

00:20:26 Speaker 1 (Pam Monahan): Yeah. And share your art.

00:20:28 Speaker 3 (Lyda Yuliana Parra Forero): Yes. Obviously.

00:20:31 Speaker 1 (Pam Monahan): Obviously. Yeah. So I, I, we didn't put this question here, but I kind of want to ask you both now that you have an award-winning image, how are you displaying it in your lab or in your home? Or is it like your screen on your phone?

00:20:49 Speaker 4 (Avery Hlavacek): So yeah, I, you know, animal lover, I honestly, I love my own image, which I guess is obviously a good thing. Um, it is the background of my laptop. Uh, my lab, we also do weekly lab meetings where we have to, like, you know, show our research updates and stuff like that. Um, my picture is on the first slide of every single presentation. Um, we... I unfortunately did not get to go to SSR this year. Um, but, you know, we were told that we were allowed to take off... we were allowed to take our printed versions of our images. And I was like, "I need this picture." I'm like, "It's... I need this picture." It's printed off. It's large. So after some long correspondence with some coworkers and friends that were at the conference, I was able to get it mailed to me. Uh, so that image now specifically is hanging up in my home and I have the little award that I got for it is at my desk here at work. So I can, you know, kind of show off to everybody, you know, maybe make them a little jealous that way next year more people submit photos and they get excited about it and they're like, "Oh, I could do that too." But yeah, my mouse image specifically, I have it plastered everywhere.

00:22:06 Speaker 3 (Lyda Yuliana Parra Forero): Um, in my case, um, in our hall near to our lab, there are so many pictures, uh, around, for very, very different pictures. We prepared for the [contest] last year, we stayed in the top ten too, but finally we are the winner. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I try to send, to send you... um, how is the... um... the principal image for the page for the winners. Avery and me, we stay together now.

00:22:51 Speaker 1 (Pam Monahan): Thanks for sharing.

00:22:53 Speaker 3 (Lyda Yuliana Parra Forero): Yes.

00:22:54 Speaker 2 (Ana Cheong): Yeah. Really, thank you for sharing all the advice as well as sharing with us what your interest or your interest in arts and also your research as well. Um, so that brings us to the end of the episode. A huge congrats and thank you to Lyda and Avery for joining us today and for sharing the stories and science behind your stunning images. So it's always inspiring to see how art and science come together to reveal the beauty and discovery to our listeners. If today's conversation sparked your curiosity or reminded you of a beautiful image from your own research, consider submitting your work to next year's Repro BioArt image contest. It's a wonderful way to share your creativity, celebrate your science, and inspire others in our community and beyond. Thanks for tuning in for this episode. Don't forget to subscribe to the Future Conceived podcast and follow us on social media for more updates on the latest in reproductive research.

00:23:55 Speaker 5: Thank you for having me. Yeah. Thank you.

00:24:00 Speaker 1 (Pam Monahan): Um, before I do, like, the last bit, uh, is there anything else that we wanted to add? We can think of? No. All right. I'll do this last bit that is about the music that will get overlaid. Um, so this music, Winds of Change, is produced by Doctor Buck Hales and Doctor Paul [Cooke]. AI may have played a role in the creation of this podcast episode. Specifically, we may use AI when drafting scripts, generating transcripts, and producing our episode summaries. Rest assured, a human member of our team rigorously reviews all AI-generated content for accuracy and quality before it's published.