Contact: Janese Heavin, heavinj@missouri.edu
Photos by Abbie Lankitus, Nicholas Benner and Nicholas Andrusisian
August 19, 2025

There’s wonder in research — not only in the breakthroughs that change lives but in the breathtaking magic of discovery itself. From the delicate structure of a molecule to the symmetrical geometry of cells, science reveals a world as visually stunning as it is intellectually profound.

At the University of Missouri, that beauty is on display at the Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center as part of the Joy of Discovery sculpture. For nearly 20 years, the DNA-shaped installation has helped celebrate the awe-inspiring intersection of art and science, showcasing images captured in labs across campus.

Now, Joy of Discovery has been updated with a new collection of scientific imagery. Selected from more than 40 campus-wide submissions, these images open a window into the hidden processes that happen just below the surface.

Created by artist Kenneth F. vonRoenn Jr. with funding from Alvin E. and Mary Agnes McQuinn, Joy of Discovery was dedicated in 2007.

Scroll down to see scenes from the installation and to learn more about the science behind the art.