Michelle Lehman: Analytical and Creative Thinker
“I elevate my strengths as an analytical and creative thinker to help scientists tell their research stories.”
Michelle is a bright star of inspiration as she shares her creations and love with the world. As a sci-artist, Michelle adds her artistic touch to help scientists illuminate their research stories. Having data and research findings is only part of the presentation, but distinctly engaging the audience is the other part— this is where Michelle steps in.
My educational background in the sciences provided me with the tools for facilitating productive conversations with researchers and communications staff interested in communicating complex scientific concepts, many of which are hard to capture with video.
Her animation specialties are not limited to the various scientific disciplines in biology, material science, nuclear science, quantum science, and more. But Michelle has more to offer. As she persists on making science as accessible as possible, with hints of beauty and engagement, Michelle wishes to prioritize personal art to explore stories that matter to her.
The impact I would like to have is to explore and tell stories that matter to me. Those are usually in areas that don’t have to money to commission an animation, therefore I try to make time to explore these projects on the side.
Michelle shared one of those special experiences, which influenced her to start a short animation series. During her college years exploring the neuroscience of memory, Michelle had the privilege of spending time at a Memory Café. The love and warmth shared in these spaces had a most touching effect on her.
I spent the summer after my sophomore year of undergrad interning with the Center on Aging at the University of Vermont. I dedicated most of my time providing support for the Memory Café — a monthly event that offers an inclusive space for people living with dementia and their loved ones to laugh, learn, and connect with people who understand. Memory Cafes are found all over the world, each striving to provide support for participant’s social needs by lessening feelings of isolation and loneliness. A few event themes include dancing, singing, musical performances, drawing, painting, technological information sessions and more. I listened to a podcast last summer that provided anecdotes from people whose lives are impacted by dementia. I found myself spiraling into thought, remembering all the people who came together to create these cafe’s and the lovely conversations I had with participants. I learned so much about dementia and the various challenges it presents to so many beautiful minds. Although life has taken me in a different direction, these experiences still occupy a large space in my heart. I created a short animation series to hold some space for those living with dementia and their loved ones. There are four animations, which I am releasing one per month.
Her first post on this series can be found here, on her Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CXBxVOPJPeB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Michelle’s projects have a promising future this year. Her usual outposts are on social media, but she hopes to submit to animation festivals one day. When she’s not working on her creations, you can find Michelle hiking and enjoying the beautiful outdoors, even though, in her honest opinion, thinks that her hobby “is tagging along on other people’s passions.”
We at STEM First! Gen. thank Ms. Michelle for sharing her lovely experiences and work with us, and look forward to her Personal Explorations, “A visual love letter to the Queen City Memory Café,” where she will release a new post every month. You can also follow her at @miches_niche on her Instagram and Twitter.
Michelle’s Website: https://www.michesniche.com/
Personal Explorations: https://www.michesniche.com/personal-explorations
