Cell-Cell Stanza-Stanza

Cell-Cell Stanza-Stanza is a new conversation series that explores how science and poetry can work together to foster healing, especially in the context of cancer and serious illness.

Cell-Cell Stanza-Stanza, sponsored by the Biseach Initiative—a collaboration between Notre Dame’s Harper Cancer Research Institute and the University of Galway— will feature a conversation between Pinar Zorlutuna, Roth-Gibson Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Notre Dame, and award-winning Irish poet Julie Morrissy, Ph.D., the first Poet-in-Residence at the National Library of Ireland.

This unique event brings together two former colleagues, both passionate about cancer care. Award-winners in their respective fields, this discussion will illuminate the ways in which poetry influences Zorlutuna’s work in bioengineering and how Morrissy’s poetry is informed by science and cancer care. Through poetry and non-fiction, Morrissy’s work deals with a terminal cancer diagnosis in her family. She will share poems, which will act as a springboard for conversation about Zorlutuna’s research on cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. The conversation will enhance understandings of cancer care from a scientific perspective, while also addressing the emotional implications of serious illness. The goal of this event is to develop a new language for understanding cancer across disciplines, which can in turn help us to face the complex challenges of cancer care across all of our communities.

Dr. Pinar Zorlutuna is the Roth-Gibson Professor of Bioengineering and the Director of the Bioengineering Program at the University of Notre Dame. In 2022, the National Academy of Sciences named her a Kavli Fellow in recognition of her exceptional contributions to science. In 2021, she was named a member of the Cellular and Molecular Technologies Study Section of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Center for Scientific Review.

Dr. Julie Morrissy is an award-winning Irish poet. From 2021-22, she awarded a creative writing fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities at the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies (University of Notre Dame). During that time, she was also the first Poet-in-Residence at the National Library of Ireland. From 2019-21, she was awarded the inaugural Newman Fellowship in Creativity at University College Dublin. She holds degrees in Creative Writing, Literature, and Law. She is currently based at University College Dublin Law School as the Law and Poetry Fellow. Morrissy is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland.