© Pint of Science, 2026. All rights reserved.
Science in the Mix
Desirel Ng (she/her)
2026 Annual Digital Artist, Desirel Ng
Artist Biography
Desirel Ng is a microbiologist who researches the interactions of gut infections with the brain and the body clock. Having pursued science despite past teachers prompting a career in writing or literature, she remains passionate about the Arts. She enjoys reading fiction, drawing and creative writing, with selected works featuring in books and exhibitions. She feels most fulfilled by roles that challenge the misconception that art and science are disparate subjects and promote their cohesion.
Artwork Rationale
2026 Annual Digital Artwork 'Science in the mix'
Australian research excellence involves interdisciplinary science and collaboration. In line with this, diverse Australian animals represent the six speakers' topics at Pint of Science events: Chemist Koala (“Atoms to Galaxies”), Earthy Echidna (“Planet Earth”), Doctor Dingo (“The Body”), Computer Croc (“Technology”), Mindful Magpie (“The Mind”), and Ruling Roo (“Society”). The central Pint of Science glass, which would otherwise be flat and devoid of substance, is filled to the brim with volume and colour by the different characters working together. This cooperative act not only unifies the Pint of Science themes but depicts the organisation’s values of collaboration, support, belonging, inclusion and social atmosphere through the intermingling of diverse characters and beverages. The colour within the design is also deliberately offset and spilling over from the black lines underneath, illustrating how the science within the six themes are breaking boundaries for the Australian research landscape.
Individual characters from 2026 Artwork, depicting six key talk themes
Australian research excellence involves interdisciplinary science and collaboration. In line with this, diverse Australian animals represent the six speakers' topics at Pint of Science events: Chemist Koala (“Atoms to Galaxies”), Earthy Echidna (“Planet Earth”), Doctor Dingo (“The Body”), Computer Croc (“Technology”), Mindful Magpie (“The Mind”), and Ruling Roo (“Society”).