Updates
Here, you'll find a collection of projects that explore the intersections of neuroscience, art, and creativity. From research articles to artistic collaborations and in-depth interviews, these works examine how science and art shape each other, offering perspectives on the mind, memory, and human experience.
Communication Arts Photography Annual
I'm pleased to share that one of the portraits from my project Mental Mapping: The Art of Exploring Connections has been selected for inclusion in the 66th Communication Arts Photography Annual, which will be published in the July/August 2025 issue.
Research on Neural Synchrony and AI Published in Leonardo
Joshua Sariñana’s latest research, Neural Synchrony of Minds and Machines: Hippocampal Mechanisms to Advance AI and Virtual Networks, has been published in Leonardo, the leading peer-reviewed journal on the intersection of science, technology, and the arts. Read the Paper »
Photoworks SF
A few images from my series Mental Mapping were selected for Point of View, the first community zine published by Photoworks SF. The zine features work from over 100 photographers and highlights a wide range of visual perspectives.
The Art of Unearthing History
Joshua Sariñana’s article in MIT Technology Review analyzes the work of filmmaker Suneil Sanzgiri, whose art addresses themes of historical trauma, memory, and colonization. Sariñana explores how Sanzgiri leverages both digital tools, like 3D scanning and physical manipulation of 16mm film to examine the geopolitics of his ancestral home in Goa, India, and the lasting impact of colonial histories.
Poetry, Science, Health Care and Social Justice
The Poetry of Science, in collaboration with The Peoples' heART, is a project that utilizes art to address health equity and representation in medical institutions like the Massachusetts General Hospital.
The Poetry of Science in PetaPixel
In response to systemic racism and the lack of representation of people of color (POC) in media and art, Joshua Sariñana, PhD, co-created The Poetry of Science with poet and editor Linsey Jayne. This multidisciplinary project combines poetry and photography to amplify the voices and experiences of POC, countering negative stereotypes with positive representations. Read the Article»
RFOTOFOLIO: Joshua Sariñana on Photography, Science, and Creativity
Joshua Sariñana, a neuroscientist turned photographer, explores how memory, perception, and personal experience shape artistic expression. In his Rfotofolio interview, he reflects on how his scientific background influences his photographic process, using image-making as a means of grounding himself in reality.
Black & White Magazine, SPOTLIGHT
Neuroscientist and photographer Joshua Sariñana’s interview in Black & White Magazine, winner of the 2019 Portfolio Contest. He discusses the intersection of cognition and visual art. His Image of Structure series dissects architectural forms as representations of thought processes, drawing from his background in memory research at MIT.
Feature Shoot Interview
In an interview with Feature Shoot, Joshua Sariñana discusses his photographic series Surface and Consciousness, which transforms urban puddles into portals of reflection and altered perception. Drawing on his background in neuroscience, Sariñana explores the tension between the physical and psychological realms, using puddles as metaphors for consciousness and self-reflection. Read the Interview >
Catalyst Interview - Bridging Science and Art
In a conversation with Michael Kirchoff, Joshua Sariñana discusses the intersection of neuroscience and photography, revealing how his dual background informs his creative process.
Image of Structure in BETA
Joshua Sariñana’s architectural photography series, Image of Structure, was featured in BETA Developments in Photography, an internationally recognized online magazine known for its curated selection of contemporary photographic portfolios. The publication, originally conceived by the Ballarat International Foto Biennale (BIFB), highlights compelling photographic works with minimal text, allowing images to stand as the primary mode of artistic expression.
Image of Structure Featured in American Photography 34
Joshua Sariñana’s photographic series Structure (September 2017) explores the shifting visual complexity of the Stata Center at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. An image from the series was selected as a winner and published in American Photography 34, a prestigious juried annual that highlights the best contemporary photography worldwide. Recognized for its dynamic composition and exploration of architectural abstraction, Image of Structure captures the interplay of light, reflection, and form within Frank Gehry’s iconic building.
Loeil de la Photographie - Image of Structure
In April 2018, L’Œil de la Photographie featured Joshua Sariñana’s photographic series Image of Structure as a portfolio selection. This body of work examines the intersection of architecture, perception, and abstraction through photography, capturing the geometric complexity of built environments.
Image of Structure Published in Silvershotz
Joshua Sariñana’s architectural photography series Image of Structure was featured in Silvershotz Magazine, March 2018, Volume 12, Edition 3. As a publication dedicated to showcasing conceptual and innovative photography, Silvershotz provides an international platform for artists exploring the boundaries of visual storytelling.
Image of Structure Featured in float magazine
Joshua Sariñana’s architectural photography series, Image of Structure, was featured in Float Magazine. Known for highlighting contemporary photography across all genres, Float provides a dynamic platform for both emerging and established artists.
Image of Structure explores the relationship between architecture and cognition, using high-contrast black-and-white compositions to examine how spatial environments influence perception and memory. Drawing from his background in neuroscience, Sariñana’s series presents architectural forms as visual metaphors for the structured yet fluid nature of thought.
L'Œil de la photographie - Representation of Hidden Communication
L’Œil de la Photographie published Joshua Sariñana’s photographic series Representation of Hidden Communication. This series explores the visual and conceptual intersections between science, technology, and perception, focusing on the often unseen networks of communication embedded in research environments.
Representation of Hidden Communication Published in Silvershotz Magazine
Joshua Sariñana’s photographic series Representation of Hidden Communication was featured in Silvershotz Magazine, Volume 11, Edition 11, 2017. Known for curating exceptional contemporary photography portfolios, Silvershotz provides an international platform for conceptual and experimental work.
VSCO News Feature
Representation of Hidden Communication was featured on VSCO New, spotlighting a visual narrative rooted in my time at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The project documents the often unseen, intricate world of neuroscience research through portraits of my colleagues and the lab environments we worked in.
SciArt Magazine Featuring, Propsoganosia
Joshua Sariñana’s photographic series Prosopagnosia is a profound exploration of memory, identity, and the nature of perception. Featured in SciArt Magazine, this body of work employs a circular frame to create a telescopic effect, visually symbolizing the distortion and reconstruction of past experiences.
Better Photography: Exploration of Consciousness Through Photography
Joshua Sariñana’s photography is deeply intertwined with neuroscience, memory, and personal experience. Featured in Better Photography (August 2016), his work explores themes of detachment, nostalgia, and emotional depth, using bold colors and visual metaphors to evoke psychological states. Read the Interview