Gallery "My Faculty"

Gallery of submissions for the "My Faculty" category of the image contest, celebrating the 20th anniversary of FBM and FGSE.

This category was open to all members of both faculties wishing to share their visions. Each artist described how their work represents their experience of the university community or faculty.

The winners of this category were chosen by a public vote which took place from May 1, 2024, to May 31, 2024.

Submissions are displayed in alphabetical order by the author's last name.

Enjoy exploring these submissions!


Little Helper

by Alexandre Bénéchet | FBM

"Little Helper" is a tribute to laboratory mice. "Caution moving parts" reminds us of the respect we should have for the living creatures that assist us in our experiments. Here, the mouse is being prepared for a non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, just as a human patient might be, and is surprised by the dark tunnel before him. This work provides a snapshot of the daily life of researchers at the Faculty of Biology and Medicine, emphasizing the faculty's commitment to animal welfare and the use of non-invasive in vivo imaging modalities that limit the number of animals used. The photo was taken with a smartphone in an FBM animal facility prior to MRI imaging.


Human Body Analysis in Action

by Tom Citherlet | FBM

In this captivating video titled "Human Body Analysis in Action," we delve deep into exploring human physiology in motion, a fundamental practice within our academic community. The video features a woman engaged in physical exercise, during which the body becomes the stage for detailed measurements. Every heartbeat and every breath are captured with scientific precision, reflecting the expertise and passion that drive our faculty. "Analysis of the Human Body in Action" invites the viewer to plunge into the heart of this physiological exploration, where human functioning is translated into a symphony of visual and auditory data that nurtures commitment to the Faculty of Biology and Medicine.

Winner

Winner —


The Next Generation 

by Sara Colomer Lahiguera | FBM

My faculty from a teacher's point of view.


Symbiotica

by Damien De Bellis and Antonio Mucciolio | FBM

This composition displays a glass anemone (Aiptasia) captured from various angles under a scanning electron microscope. At the top left, we can view the tentacles in their entirety, then zoom in on fractured tentacles to examine their interior. From here, we uncover a fascinating symbiosis between unicellular algae and the animal tissues of the anemone. The symbiosis observed within this marine creature symbolizes our experience within the Faculty of Biology and Medicine, where the electron microscopy platform collaborates closely with various research laboratories.


Bark

by Dominique Fumeaux

Photography and digital retouching showing the intimate and essential link between human and non-human.


Immortalizing glacial majesty: capturing alpine geomorphology on film

by Yanara Giachino | FGSE

In the above autumnal scene, this film print captures a moment of study of the geomorphological forms and traces left by the retreat of the Tsijiore Nouve glacier and the Pièce glacier towards Arolla. Beneath the yellowing larches, this emblematic landscape offers an ideal playground for us, geography students, passionate about and specialized in the "mountain territory and environment". The image reflects our fascination and interest in this alpine landscape, which we are determined to understand and preserve.

Winner

Winner —


Secretariat

by Valentin Jamart | FGSE

With this photo, I'd like to highlight and thank the people who work in the secretariat. They are always the first people we turn to when we have administrative problems or questions. Although the secretariat's role is vital to the smooth running of the various institutes that make up the UNIL, its staff are too rarely given the recognition they deserve.


Crossing the divide: Immune cells in serrated passages

by Kelly de Korodi | FBM

During my time at the University of Lausanne, I was privileged to have access to state-of-the-art imaging facilities equipped with top-quality instruments and software, as well as expert staff. I had the opportunity to explore the complex dance between immune cells and endothelial cells in various tissues, capturing moments of cellular interaction that reveal the beauty and complexity of biological systems.


Anatomy Class at Bugnon 9

by Elena Martinez | FBM

The photo was taken in 2014 during an anatomy class for first-year medical students. The subject of the day was the skull and bones of the head! On the right is teacher Hugues Cadas, who never loses his good-natured manner during these classes.


Before the Wave

by Marie Méan | FBM

March 17, 2020:

Twelve days after the first death at CHUV, the State Council of the Canton of Vaud activated the Disaster Plan for the entire canton. The cantonal emergency management staff is in charge of operations. Neighboring France is beginning its confinement. UNIL has already switched to "all remote" mode. Research activity at FBM is at a standstill.

At CHUV, the elevators are empty, and visits are forbidden; we're waiting for the wave and not minimizing the submersion risk. It's high time to immortalize this moment with an existential snapshot…


An Air of Prehistory

by Gaëtan Potin | FGSE

Géopolis and the Institut des Sciences de la Terre (ISTE - FGSE) host unusual creatures in their laboratories: horseshoe crabs. These arthropods have an atypical morphology similar to their distant ancestors from the Paleozoic era (478 million years ago). The University of Lausanne's fossil collections contain the earliest representatives of this type. Therefore, Géopolis houses some of this group's first and last representatives. The aquariums they live in are maintained daily, but we never tire of observing them, as ISTE doctoral student Valentin does.


Neurontrees

by Bastien Ruols | FGSE

Tree alley at the Sports center, or neural network?

Winner

Winner —


Weaving Connections

by Giulia Saitta | FBM

This microscopic image of a bee's brain may seem complex initially, but by focusing on its structure, we realize that these dots are just connections between neurons called synapses. As we learn, our synaptic connections are strengthened, while those we don't use are eliminated. This weaving together of neurons is essential for learning and memory. Similarly, our academic experience is woven from knowledge, experiences, and relationships. Whether through theoretical learning, practical experience, or social interaction, we weave a complex web of intellectual connections. Ultimately, just as bees weave their neural connections to master the art of foraging, we build our own neural web to master our future profession.


Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno

by Rui Santala Mendez | FBM

This is a 2-photon microscopy image showing metastatic cancer (the black hole in the center of the picture) forming in a mouse brain at a very early stage. Although its size is smaller than half a millimeter in diameter, the immune system has already detected it to stop it. Surrounding the tumor, the microglial cells (red and orange spots) are being recruited and work together to contain the cancer cells. The blood vessels (white entangled filaments) provide a continuous network that feeds the microglia with nutrients and supports the immune system’s endeavor.

Within the FBM, I am part of the Department of Fundamental Oncology, where I work as a PhD student. I imagine each of us in the Department (students, postdocs, technical staff, PIs) as those little microglia cells supported by the vasculature– we all try to put our little grain of sand and face the challenge of cancer from different angles. One alone would not even have a chance to stop it – it takes the effort of many people, entire departments and faculties collaborating together and connecting with each other to be able to surround such a big scientific problem. We might be facing an issue that is much bigger than desired, but standing and working together, we are taking the right steps to fight cancer back.