What does research look like in a single frame?
For four Concordia graduate researchers, it's a quiet cat defying the pace of a city, a burst of sparks shaping future materials, a watchful macaque and a brain revealing its hidden connections. Their images have earned them top honours in the 2026 Science Captured Prize.
Organized by the School of Graduate Studies, the annual competition invites students and postdoctoral fellows to showcase their research through a single image. Each winner receives a $250 prize.
This year's winning entries span engineering, psychology and environmental research, demonstrating how images can make complex ideas more accessible.
Finding stillness in motion
Melika Mirzaseyedi, PhD candidate in computer engineering
An Internal Metronome captures a moment of stillness - a cat at rest - against the blur of a fast-moving Istanbul street.
The research explores long-term biological rhythms, moving beyond standardized health metrics to better understand individual patterns over time. This approach could lead to more personalized ways of monitoring health and detecting early changes in well-being.
Sparks that protect the future
Andre Mayer, PhD candidate in mechanical engineering
A Spark to the Future shows a thermal spray process, where molten particles are projected at high speed to form protective coatings.
The research supports the development of more durable materials used in sectors such as aerospace, biomedical devices and energy. By improving resistance to heat, wear and corrosion, it helps extend the lifespan of critical technologies.
All in the Family by Brogan Steward and How Brain Disconnection Affects Limb Awareness in Stroke by Mika Kaeja.Family ties in the wild
Brogan Stewart, PhD candidate in geography, urban and environmental studies
All in the Family highlights the social dynamics of Japanese macaques observed during fieldwork.
The research examines how behaviour patterns and social relationships can reveal signs of stress in animal populations. These insights can also inform broader understanding of how social environments influence health and behaviour across species.
Revealing hidden brain connections
Mika Kaeja, MA student in psychology
How Brain Disconnection Affects Limb Awareness in Stroke visualizes how disruptions in brain connectivity can affect proprioception - the ability to sense limb position.
The research combines robotic assessment and brain imaging to better understand stroke-related impairments and support improved rehabilitation strategies. The findings may help clinicians better target therapies to restore movement and independence after stroke.
