MCB developmental biologist Marissa Gredler will bring her scientific insight and stunning microscopy videos to the upcoming Multiverse Concert: Growth in the Universe, a unique fusion of science and music. The special event will take place on Monday, June 2nd at 7:00 PM at Harvard Science Plaza, Hall B (1 Oxford Street, Cambridge). Free and open to the public, this all-ages performance invites audiences to experience how complexity arises—from the cellular to the cosmic—through the combined lenses of biology, astrophysics, and electro-symphonic music.
Hosted by the Multiverse Concert Series and presented in collaboration with the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, the concert is part of a growing movement to blend scientific discovery with artistic expression. Resident composer David Ibbett, who leads the Multiverse initiative, has designed the June 2 program to interweave live musical performance with engaging scientific presentations from Gredler and Harvard astrophysicist Kim-Vy Tran.
“When David invited me to participate in the Multiverse concert, I was thrilled at the opportunity,” says Gredler, who joined MCB in January. “Both science and art begin with observation — a moment of focused attention that sparks curiosity and warrants exploration. As a developmental biologist, I study how complexity arises from simplicity in living embryos. Art follows a similar path: starting with an idea and growing through inspection and iteration into something coherent and alive. I joined the Multiverse project because it reflects this shared process. It invites us to explore not only what we know, but how we come to know it; to build new forms of meaning from the convergence of different ways of seeing.”
Gredler’s presentation will delve into the formation of complex structures during embryonic development, offering a parallel to cosmic growth. Her talk will be accompanied by mesmerizing visuals derived from her lab’s microscopy footage—images that will also serve as projected backdrops during live musical performances.
The concert will open with “Phenomena of Growth,” an electro-acoustic piano piece composed by Ibbett. Inspired by the fractal fluid dynamic patterns studied by MIT’s Irmgard Bishofberger, the piece uses sampled piano notes to create layered sonic textures. In a personal touch, the track also includes the heartbeat of Ibbett’s son recorded in utero. “It’s a metaphor for growth emerging from simplicity,” Ibbett explains. “Even a single note can evolve into a rich tapestry.”
Following Gredler’s segment, the concert continues with a performance of Rebecca Clarke’s “Morpheus” for violin and piano, set to a dreamlike visual montage incorporating Gredler’s imagery. Astrophysicist Kim-Vy Tran will then guide the audience through her research into early galaxy formation and gravitational lensing. The evening concludes with Ibbett’s piano symphony “Beauty from Nothing,” which begins in chaos—represented by white noise from the piano strings—and slowly coalesces into cosmic structure, mirroring the evolution of the universe.
Ibbett, who was appointed resident composer at the Center for Astrophysics in 2023, says the format of these concerts is designed for accessibility and dialogue. “We go back and forth between live music and science talks,” he says. “It’s not about one discipline explaining the other—it’s about creating a shared space for curiosity.”
The Multiverse series, now entering its seventh year, continues to expand the boundaries of public engagement with science through art. Recent concerts have explored themes from black holes to alien life, and future shows will tackle climate change and sustainability.
The event is free with limited capacity. Registration is encouraged.
Event Details
Multiverse Concert: Growth in the Universe
Monday, June 2, 2025
7:00 PM
Harvard Science Plaza, Hall B, 1 Oxford Street, Cambridge
Free and open to the public
Register here
Experience the universe as you’ve never heard—or seen—it before.
