Maggie M. Fink is a scientist, writer, artist, and educator whose work explores the connections between biology, creativity, and human experience. As an Assistant Professor of Biology at Saint Mary’s College, she is committed to making science accessible, engaging, and relevant to diverse audiences. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges laboratory research with storytelling, encouraging a deeper understanding of the living world and our place within it.

Maggie earned her Ph.D. in Microbiology from The University of Notre Dame and conducted postdoctoral research there as well. Before joining the faculty at St. Mary’s College, Fink also completed a science communication postdoc at the University of Notre Dame.

Fink’s scientific work focuses on microbiology genetics, molecular biology, and the remarkable ways that microscopic processes shape the organisms and ecosystems around us. Throughout her career, she has combined rigorous scientific inquiry with a passion for education, mentoring students and fostering curiosity about the natural world. Her teaching emphasizes both scientific literacy and the value of asking thoughtful, creative questions.

As coauthor of The Color of North: The Molecular Language of Proteins and the Future of Life, Fink brings readers into the hidden world of proteins—the molecules that drive nearly every process in living systems. The book reveals how proteins influence everything from migration and adaptation in nature to advances in medicine, biotechnology, and environmental science. Through vivid storytelling and accessible explanations, Fink helps readers appreciate the profound role these molecules play in shaping life on Earth.

Beyond the laboratory and classroom, Fink is an accomplished poet and visual artist whose creative work often draws inspiration from science, memory, and the natural environment. Her writing and artistic practice reflect a belief that science and the arts are complementary ways of understanding the world. By blending observation, imagination, and evidence, she creates opportunities for audiences to engage with scientific ideas in meaningful and unexpected ways.

Fink is also dedicated to public engagement with science through writing, speaking, and collaborative projects that connect researchers with broader communities. Together with longtime collaborator Shahir Rizk, she has helped foster conversations about science, discovery, and the future of life through public scholarship and media. Whether in the classroom, the laboratory, or on the page, Maggie Fink’s work demonstrates the power of curiosity, creativity, and scientific exploration to inspire new ways of seeing the world.

Shahir S. Rizk is an Egyptian-American scientist, poet, author, and illustrator. He is an Associate Professor of Biochemistry and the co-chair of the Department of Physical Sciences at Indiana University South Bend. He also holds a faculty appointment at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Shahir earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Duke University and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Chicago. Before joining the faculty at IU South Bend, Rizk was the Director of External Programs and the Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases at the University of Notre Dame.

Shahir’s research is focused on engineering proteins and biosensors for applications in environmental monitoring, infectious disease detection, and molecular medicine. His research has led to the development of synthetic antibodies that can control protein conformational states, acting as molecular switches. He also worked on malaria drug resistance. More recently, his lab has focused on developing portable biosensing technologies, including fluorescence-based detection systems for glyphosate and other environmental contaminants. Shahir’s work has appeared in journals including Nature, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, Journal of Biological Chemistry, and Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

Shahir is the recipient of the Cottrell Scholar Award, a national award recognizing excellence in both research and teaching. He has also received multiple teaching awards from Indiana University and has mentored numerous undergraduate researchers supported through nationally competitive fellowships and grants.

Beyond the laboratory, Rizk works at the intersection of science, art, and public communication. He co-founded Rust Belt Science, a public science communication podcast, and regularly leads workshops on communicating research in an era of misinformation. He is a co-author of the award-winning popular science book The Color of North, published by Harvard University Press. Shahir’s poetry has appeared in Acorn, Modern Haiku, and Twyckenham Notes.