2026 Lecture Series Keynote: Anand Varma
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About the Keynote
Inside WonderLab: Exploring Nature’s Hidden Worlds
Step into a world of wonder with biologist-turned-photographer Anand Varma as he unlocks the mysteries of nature through cutting-edge photography techniques. In his Berkeley-based WonderLab, Anand captures the invisible behaviors of the natural world, beyond our naked eye.
His images and videos reveal the hidden worlds that exist just outside of our perception, from the mesmerizing life cycle of a honeybee to the lightning-fast wings of a hummingbird. With Anand’s expert guidance, we can slow down the fast, speed up the slow, and magnify the miniature, enabling us to see the true beauty and complexity of the natural world.
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About the Speaker
Anand Varma
Anand Varma grew up exploring the woods near his childhood home in Atlanta, Georgia. As a teenager, he picked up his dad’s old camera on a whim and found that he could use it to feed his curiosity about the natural world—and to share his discoveries with others.
Anand studied integrative biology from UC Berkeley and now uses photography to share the story behind the science on everything from honeybee health to hummingbird biomechanics. He works to reveal the invisible details around us with the goal of sparking a sense of wonder about our world.
Since receiving an Early Career Grant from National Geographic in 2010, he has photographed numerous stories for National Geographic Magazine including the 2014 cover story called "Mindsuckers." His recognitions include National Geographic Emerging Explorer, Media Innovation Fellow, Civic Science Fellow, and World Press Award for best nature story. Anand lives in Berkeley, California.
2026 Lecture Series Sponsors
- Founding Underwriter: R. Harold Burton Foundation
- Underwriter: Cultural Vision 30 Year Endowment Fund
- Gold Sponsors: Karen and Ken Buchi; Curt and Mary Crowther; M Lazy M Foundation; Rio Tinto Kennecott
- Silver Sponsors: The DiFiore Family Foundation; Diana George; MSL Foundation; Paula Swaner Sargetakis and Joe Sargetakis | Frog Bench Farms
- Community Partners: The County Library | Viridian Event Center; Kingsbury Hall; Pictureline
- Institutional Support: Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts, and Parks