A highly innovative materials scientist, Professor Liya Regel has been recognized by the international scientific community with numerous awards from organizations around the world. Among her significant achievements are many successful experiments in space. Regel is known for her pioneering research on conversion of graphite to diamonds, materials processing in giant centrifuges, and high-energy, heavy-ion implantation. Educated in her native Russia, Regel holds that country’s highest degree, the Doctor of Sciences, in addition to a Ph.D. in Physics and Mathematics. She was recognized with an honorary Doctor of Science from Clarkson in 2002 and Alabama A&M University in 2006.
Professor Regel is an accomplished artist, pianist and creative writer. While she chose to pursue physics over concert piano in her university studies, she continues to compose and improvise at the piano, as well as use science to inspire her art. The paintings on display here contain mixed media, with gold dust with precious and semi-precious gems. Some have been created using a single-hair brush. These innovative techniques and materials place her work in a unique genre of contemporary art. Her paintings are in private collections and public displays world-wide.