Animation created by BVIS alumna Hannah Koffman wins first place in 2023 Image of Research

Mast Cell Histamine Response by Hannah Koffman '23 MS BVIS

An animated video on the immune system’s response to allergens, created by Hannah Koffman ’23 MS BVIS, won first place in its category in the 2023 Image of Research competition sponsored by the UIC Graduate College and the University Library.

“Mast Cell Histamine Response,” intended for high school students, was created to be part of an educational video series on different aspects of the body’s inflammatory response.

“Hannah’s animation on the immune system response to allergens is a perfect example of the important role medical illustrators play in lowering the barriers to access medical knowledge,” said BVIS program director Leah Lebowicz.

“Her target audience of high school students will access new knowledge in an engaging way and feel empowered to learn more.”

A multidisciplinary jury selected the winners from 75 submissions to the contest. Koffman’s entry, along with the other winners, will be displayed through August in an electronic exhibit in the lobbies of the Daley Library and the Library of the Health Sciences.

Koffman, who graduated in May, plans a career in 3-D biomedical animation.