Evident has announced the winners of its sixth annual Image of the Year contest, a competition that honors the finest scientific microscopic imaging from around the globe. Submissions were received from 34 countries, showcasing remarkable images that blend art and science.
Global Winner
Katie Holden from the United Kingdom was named the global winner for her captivating image titled 'Neuronal Cosmos.' The image features induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurospheres composed of neuronal cells that self-organize into structures resembling the layered architecture of the human brain. These neurospheres provide a crucial platform for studying brain cells and investigating how environmental and genetic factors influence neuronal development.
'Visually, the star-like pattern reflects intriguing parallels between astronomy and biology at hugely different scales,' Holden explained. As the grand prize winner, she will receive an Evident SZX7 stereo microscope with a DP23 digital camera or a set of X Line UPLXAPO objectives.
Materials Science Winner
Muhammad Tahir Khan of Ireland won the materials science category. His winning image depicts a lignin fiber that resembles glowing desert dunes under a scanning electron microscope. Khan will receive an Evident SZ61 stereo microscope for his achievement.
Regional Winners
Three regional prizes were awarded: Gerd Günther (Germany) for EMEA with an image of chicory stigma with pollen grains; Igor Siwanowicz (USA) for the Americas featuring mallow pollen on stigma; and Kentaro Mochizuki (Japan) for Asia Pacific capturing sarcomere structures within cardiomyocytes in a rat heart. Each regional winner will choose between an Evident CX23 upright microscope or SZ61 stereo microscope.
Honorable Mentions
Honorable mentions were given to Javier Rupérez (Spain), Joe McKellar (France), Marko Pende (Austria), Alexandre Dumoulin (Switzerland), Bettina Rákóczi (Hungary), Walter Ferrari (Argentina), Hannah Somers (United States), Yue Rong Tan (Taiwan), Tong Zhang (Canada), Hange Du (China), Hanyang Xue (China), and Jan Rosenboom (Germany).
The contest began on October 8, 2025, with a call for entries through January 30, 2026. A third-party jury from the global scientific community evaluated all submissions based on artistic and visual appeal, scientific impact, and microscope proficiency.
'We are deeply inspired by the creativity and technical mastery reflected in this year's entries,' said Wes Pringle, Evident CEO. 'Each year, this contest celebrates what's possible when art and science come together to illuminate the unseen.'
