Sima Taheri, a Ph.D. student in food microbiology at Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, who is currently studying at the University of North Carolina, took the second place in the Open category with the theme "Microbes in Space" by direct vote of the judges.

The American Society for Microbiology is one of the largest professional societies dedicated to the life sciences. (ASM) Agar Art Contest has given scientists and artists a platform to showcase their creativity by using live microbes to “paint” images on agar, a gelatin-like substance that serves as food for the microorganisms. 390 submissions from artists in 37 countries were participated this year.