Michael Astrachan

Artist, Buddhist, Business leader, Change Agent, Educator/Teacher, Filmmaker, Global soul, Jewish, Parent, Social entrepreneur

I have been involved in the visual arts for over twenty-five years and am one of the founders of XVIVO LLC, a leader in the field of scientific animation. As head of the creative team at XVIVO, I bring to animation a sophisticated knowledge of artistic naturalism, grounded in strong technique. I draw upon my extensive fine arts background and lead my team to develop visually compelling animations of scientific content. I have vast experience across a wide range of medical and scientific disciplines including oncology, pulmonology, dermatology and cardiology. I have developed and directed mechanism of disease and mechanism of action animations for pharmaceutical clients such as Genentech, Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, EMD Serono, Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical and for biotech and device companies such as KCI, PDL Biopharma, Dendreon, Antigenics, Sirion Therapeutics, Medtronic and Alexion Pharmaceuticals. I have also has been involved in many medical educational projects, developing work for museums, broadcasters and universities. Among my clients are Nobel Prize winner Kerry Mullis, Columbia University theoretical physicist Brian Green, and Harvard Professor of the Practice of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Rob Lue, who commissioned XVIVO to develop the ground-breaking “Inner Life of the Cell” for Biovisions. Recently, I was invited to join the task force for the “Encyclopedia of Life” Project at the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois. In spring 2009, I presented as a main stage speaker at the Innovation Expo ‘09, in London. I am currently working with a team of health educators, physicians and artists to develop innovative tools for future health initiatives. * Monkey mind don’t fail me now * Talent = 90 percent Perspiration + 10 percent Inspiration * Wants to be reincarnated as Romeo, my wife’s dog. * The roshi always cleans the latrines * It might look like I'm doing nothing, but at the cellular level I'm really quite busy.

My family, Social change through art and education

Art direction, Fatherhood, Husband, Painting- digital & traditional, Science Communication, team leadership

Hope to have a great story to post...after my first TED conference

Landscapes, Fatherhood (time will tell), Airbrush ...i made it to the top of the airbrush world ladder, and realized that I was on the wrong ladder!) Lucid dreaming. Enjoying life!