Since 2017, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) competition has been inviting scientists working in Switzerland to present their everyday research from an unusual perspective. This year, 435 entries were submitted.  

The snapshot of the transparent belly of a glass frog was awarded first place in the "Object of study" category. The image, by Francesca Angiolani-Larrea, a PhD student at the University of Bern, impressed the jury with its "simple but effective composition" that offers "a fascinating perspective".  

First place in the "Women and men of science" category was awarded to Mariafrancesca Petrucci, a PhD student in veterinary medicine at the University of Bern, for her self-portrait at the side of a miniature pig. The "caring gesture by the veterinarian is a soft contrast to the often controversial topic of animal testing" in an image which, according to the jury, "brilliantly expresses emotions that are rarely associated with science". "I like this image because it shows that medicine and research are not just all about white coats and sterile environments," explains Mariafrancesca Petrucci. "As far as possible, animal testing should be carried out where the animals live, such as here on a farm, as transportation is stressful for them."  

Medicine and research are not just all about white coats and sterile environments

– Mariafrancesca Petrucci

The jury also awarded fifteen distinctions. Three of them to Bernese researchers: "Maize root microbiome" by Lisa Thönen (Institute of Plant Sciences), "Cognition Roulette" also by Francesca Angiolani-Larrea (Institute of Ecology and Evolution), and "Basel’sbishop invoices 1458-1474" by Corina Liebi (Institute of History).