Knowledge for kids

Graz researcher turns cells & co. into comic stars

Science communication that is exciting for children and young people - and is well received: Graz-based researcher Ariane Pessentheiner communicates scientific topics using cool comics and experimental school workshops.(Bild: Pessentheiner BioPhyCom neulandfilm stockadobe.com)

Anyone who thinks that science is rigid and bland and far too complicated to understand has never spoken to Graz biochemist and science communicator Ariane Pessentheiner. The researcher imparts knowledge via self-designed comics and in many creative workshops, including experiments.

A purple nanodisc, talkative membrane proteins and colorful phospholipid dancers: when Graz-based biochemist and science communicator Ariane Pessentheiner explains science, it doesn't sound boring or unwieldy at all, but rather like an exciting adventure. "Science may be complex," she says, "but otherwise it's all about communicating scientific topics. It doesn't matter who: it affects us all and everyone can find something fascinating in it," says Pessentheiner: "It's important that there are people who bring scientific content closer to you in such a way that the spark is ignited!" And Pessentheiner uses quite unusual methods to achieve this.