Scientific Visualization & Storytelling
Hi, I am a scientific animator and visual communicator. I create scientifically accurate biomedical visualizations, molecular/cellular animations, and data-driven narratives using Maya, Blender, and Adobe software. My research investigates how scientific visualization can integrate fragmented evidence into coherent, explorable models and narratives of biomedical mechanisms.
Background
I received my PhD in Evolutionary Genetics from the University of Otago and my MSc in Biomedical Visualization from the University of Illinois Chicago. I then joined the Animation Lab at the University of Utah as a Postdoctoral Fellow and later served as a faculty member at the University of Science and Technology of China. Now I am a Research Assistant Professor in the Animation Lab.
Areas of Focus
- Molecular & cellular animation
- Data-driven scientific storytelling
- Developing resources and tools for scientific visualization and communication
Selected Publications
- Torrez R, Liu H, Lee D, Iwasa JH. (2026). The evolving landscape of molecular visualization. Protein Science, 35(5), e70560.
- Liu H, Riggi M, Rogers J, Meyer M, Iwasa JH. (2022). A new tool for annotating scientific animations and supporting scientific dialogue. PLOS Biology, 20(8), e3001731.
- Nayak S, Liu H, Hsu GI, Iwasa JH. (2020). Using 3D animation to visualize hypotheses. Trends in Biochemical Sciences, 45(7), 633–634.
Contact
- Email: annliu7@gmail.com
- Website: https://annliu.github.io