About the Cover Artist: Self Reflected by Greg Dunn

Each issue of Practical Neurology typically features artwork by an artist living with a neurologic condition which is the focus of that month’s issue, such as multiple sclerosis, headache, and so forth. For the March 2024 issue which tackles biomarkers in neurologic disease, we chose to break with our tradition and feature artwork by Greg Dunn, an artist with a unique blend of expertise in both neuroscience and visual art. Greg holds a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania and is known for his work that showcases the beauty and complexity of the nervous system. Dunn’s art, ranging from delicate paintings of neurons on scrolls to intricate depictions of neural activity in gold leaf, aims to evoke a sense of awe and wonder about the brain. His pieces have been widely exhibited and are featured in science museums, universities, offices, and personal collections.

Dunn’s academic journey reflects his multidisciplinary interests. As an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, he pursued a Molecular and Cell Biology major with a minor in ethnomusicology, showcasing his passion for both science and art. His artistic career took off when the Society for Neuroscience commissioned him to create a large work, and since then, he has been dedicated to his art full-time while continuing to collaborate with neuroscientists and stay updated on neuroscience research..

One of Dunn’s notable contributions to the art world is the development of reflective microetching, a technique he created with physicist Brian Edwards. This innovative method which combines hand drawing, scientific data, computer simulation, photolithography, gilding, and strategic lighting, has been used to produce highly detailed animations of neural activity, further bridging the gap between art and science.

Dunn’s artistic style is a modern, science-based interpretation of the ancient East Asian brush painting technique of sumi-e. His work is deeply rooted in meditative practice, reflecting the artist’s internal state and aiming to evoke emotional responses in viewers. Through his art, Dunn seeks to enable people to emotionally connect with the complexity of the brain, believing that this emotional engagement is key to effective learning.

More details about Greg’s work, including examples of his original artworks and prints and how to purchase art or license materials, may be found on his website: gregdunn.com.