Kavli Oxford's Nick Gatford Wins Image of Distinction Award in Nikon Small World Competition

Kavli Oxford's Nick Gatford Wins Image of Distinction Award in Nikon Small World Competition

We are thrilled to announce that Dr Nick Gatford, from Professor George Tofaris' Lab at Kavli Oxford, has won an Image of Distinction Award in the 50th anniversary of the Nikon Small World competition.

Nick’s winning image, titled “A network of dopaminergic neurons generated from human stem cells,” showcases the intricate beauty of science, blending art and research in a powerful display.

The Nikon Small World competition, often referred to as the ‘Oscars of microscopy,’ is one of the most prestigious events in the field of scientific photography. It highlights the unseen wonders of the microscopic world, with this year’s entries drawing global attention. Nick’s image was featured in National Geographic, alongside other stunning winning entries from over 2,100 submissions.

Each year, this competition garners widespread media coverage, with previous winners featured by New Scientist, BBC, The Guardian, Forbes, and more. This year is no different, as Nick's image has been spotlighted once again, underscoring the impact of scientific visualisation.  His prismatic photo captures a network of dopaminergic neurons, the main cell type that deteriorates in Parkinson’s disease.

I am consistently amazed by the technical depth, interdisciplinary scope, and artistic variety of photomicrographs produced by the microscopy community as highlighted by the Nikon Small World competition. To be considered among such beautiful images of our small world and such talented microscopists is an honour. - Dr Nick Gatford

Congratulations to Nick on this fantastic achievement!