UM grad Emily Graslie works for the Chicago Field museum and co-created the educational YouTube channel “The Brain Scoop.”
Emily Graslie, a 2011 UM graduate and chief curiosity correspondent at Chicago’s Field Museum, is this year’s honoree at the 19th annual “Odyssey of the Stars – A Celebration of Artistic Journeys.”
Each year’s “Odyssey of the Stars” honors outstanding University of Montana visual and performing arts alumni and tells the story of their artistic journeys, showcasing the many different roads to success that an artist can travel.
This year’s performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2, in the George and Jane Dennison Theatre. In addition to honoring Graslie, the event also showcases UM students and faculty members from UM’s Art, Media Arts, Music and Theatre and Dance schools.
A panel discussion will feature Graslie is slated for 2-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, in the UM Music Recital Hall.
Graslie earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from UM, drawing inspiration from the Phillip L. Wright Zoological Museum’s vertebrate collection. She worked at the museum during college as a volunteer intern and, a year after graduating, she drew more inspiration from the experience as she co-created the educational YouTube channel “The Brain Scoop.”
Her ease in front of the camera, enthusiasm and energy has contributed to a following of nearly 500,000 subscribers. As chief curiosity correspondent, she uses a variety of media to communicate the importance of natural history museums. She collaborates with museums of natural history and connects scientific discoveries with real-world issues, teaching her fans with passion and joy.
Among Graslie’s numerous awards and recognitions, she’s a recipient of the American Alliance of Museum’s Nancy Hanks Award for Professional Excellence; six-time Webby Award honoree and nominee in the Online Science/Education Channel and Web Personality/Host categories; one of Chicago Tribune’s 2017 Chicagoans of the Year; and a member of Forbes’ 2018 “30 Under 30” list in education. A butterfly species in Ecuador, the Wahydra graslieae, was recently named after her.
“Odyssey of the Stars” tickets are $30 for the general public and $15 for students and available at all GrizTix outlets, online or by calling 888-MONTANA. Tickets also will be available at the door.
For more information visit the “Odyssey of the Stars” website.