About Me

I am Gianna Park, an environmental health researcher and artist at Bergen County Academies exploring the invisible consequences of environmental contamination on the human body. My work focuses on translating scientific realities such as microplastics and water pollution into visual narratives that make unseen risks emotionally tangible.

Growing up near polluted waterways, I became aware of the disconnect between what appears clean and what is actually present at a microscopic level. This tension drives my practice. I often depict familiar, intimate scenes such as food, the human body, or everyday environments interrupted or suffocated by plastic, creating a sense of discomfort that reflects real biological intrusion.

My process is informed by my background in environmental health research, but I am less interested in illustrating science directly than in reinterpreting it through a human-centered lens.

As co-director of Fading Blue, I work to expand this dialogue beyond my own practice by curating exhibitions that bring together student artists addressing environmental issues. In parallel, as a member of the Heirs To Our Ocean Youth Leadership Council, I engage in environmental advocacy and community outreach, experiences that deepen my understanding of how environmental issues are communicated across different audiences.

This multifaceted approach, combining environmental health research, WaterWise data tools, science-art outreach, and policy advocacy, was recognized with the 2026 President’s Environmental Youth Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as one of 10 national recipients in grades 6–12.