Think Tanks
CRESCENDO Faculty and Staff
A musical piece created from environmental data was presented at a °ÙÃĵ¼º½ Symphonic Band & Wind Ensemble concert on February 6. The music is written in two parts: Sanctuary, which represents the coral reef under seige and Cardinal Flow that takes you through the ups and downs of red tide.CRESCENDO (Communicating Research Expansively through Sonification and Community-Engaged Neuroaesthetic Data-literacy Opportunities) is an innovative interdisciplinary project that reimagines how environmental data is communicated. Led by Dr. Heather O’Leary, the initiative translates complex data from critical issues like harmful algal blooms and red tide into immersive experiences that bridge the gap between scientific research and public understanding.
By applying collective transdisciplinary expertise to new evidence-based techniques in data-driven arts, CRESCENDO engages local and global communities facing dual challenges of (1) marine or environmental risk and (2) marginalization from environmental research dissemination.

The CRESCENDO project, focusing on democratizing °ÙÃĵ¼º½â€™s most compelling environmental research, unites faculty—of all levels and across 8+ colleges—to (1) define an emergent field of transdisciplinary data-driven arts while (2) building a universal mechanism for enhancing the broader impacts of any °ÙÃĵ¼º½ research project with public outreach capable of reaching community members with varying degrees of data literacy.
Our team builds on traditional publication arcs and outreach with creative projects including research articles on data-driven art (as a field, integrative process, predictor, and diagnostic), multi-level K-20 STEAM lesson plans, artistic products such as public performances (music, dance), music videos, augmented reality experiences, and public gallery installations that enable democratic and lifelong learning.
Through its innovative use of data-driven arts, CRESCENDO positions °ÙÃĵ¼º½ as a leader in environmental research and public engagement, with the project garnering media attention on and °ÙÃĵ¼º½â€™s CAS Chronicles.
Principal Investigator
Heather O’Leary, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Anthropology, °ÙÃĵ¼º½
CRESCENDO Team
- Casey Frechette, Ph.D. (Journalism and Digital Communication, °ÙÃĵ¼º½)
- Christopher Campbell, M.A. (Journalism and Digital Communication, °ÙÃĵ¼º½)
- Paul Reller, Ph.D. (Music Composition, °ÙÃĵ¼º½)
- Matthew McKutchen, Ph.D. (School of Music, °ÙÃĵ¼º½)
- Mya Breitbart, Ph.D. (Biological Oceanography, °ÙÃĵ¼º½)
- David Rosengrant, Ph.D. (STEM Education, °ÙÃĵ¼º½)
- Maggi Mars Brisbane (Biological Oceanography, °ÙÃĵ¼º½)
- (CITL, Biology, °ÙÃĵ¼º½)
- Holly Donahue Singh, Ph.D. (Honors Anthropology, °ÙÃĵ¼º½)
- Sarah Howard (Art & Art History, °ÙÃĵ¼º½)
- (Hospiltality Management, UCF)
- David Watts, MFA (Art & Art History, °ÙÃĵ¼º½)
- (Library Research and Instruction, °ÙÃĵ¼º½)
- (Library Research and Instruction, °ÙÃĵ¼º½)
- Richard Rho (Education, °ÙÃĵ¼º½)
- Makenzie Kerr (College of Marine Science, °ÙÃĵ¼º½)
Student Contributors
- Grace Oh
- Carrie Clarke
- Huron Falkenburt
- Hunter Pomeroy
- Elis Jones
- Latesia Coleman
- Sparrow Collins
- Anabelle Fletcher
- Isabela Fraguada
In the News
- NPR - All Things Considered:
- CAS Chronicles: Anthropology Professor Bridges Gap in Scientific Communication Through Music
- °ÙÃĵ¼º½ St. Petersburg News:
- CBC Radio:
- Symphony – From the League of American Orchestras –