The Cajal Embroidery Project

Over the course of the pandemic, we’ve all found new hobbies to pass the time. In fact, I think you could chronologize lockdown by the newest, trendiest things people were doing at the time. Remember dalgona coffee? Or sourdough? (I know more than a few people who are still in that phase of the pandemic, to be honest). Some scientists have latched onto another quarantine hobby: needlepoint. Specifically, Catherine Abbott and Jane Haley, neuroscientists at the University of Edinburgh, started the Cajal Embroidery Project in March of last year, celebrating the famous neuron drawings by Santiago Ramón y Cajal. Cajal’s work helped show that neurons are independent units, supporting the idea that different areas of the brain are responsible for specific functions. The Cajal Embroidery Project is creating art in the style of Cajal’s drawings of other neurons. So far, over a hundred volunteers have sewed panels that will ultimately become a tapestry. Science and art intersect in unique and wonderful places, and this is certainly no exception! (You can read more about The Cajal Embroidery Project here, with more sketches here).

Natalie Wang is currently working on her undergraduate degree in neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University as a Hodson Trust Scholar. Her research interests are in DNA damage and repair, as well as post-operative delirium in elderly patients. Natalie started volunteering with WIS PDX in 2019 as a member of the outreach and education team. When not listening to music or doom-scrolling on Twitter, she can be found checking closets for Narnia.