Rock 'n' Research

Scientists must show the public how "cool" their research really is, says Francis Collins — hence the Rock Stars of Science campaign, in which researchers team up with prominent rock stars in order to promote their work. The NIH director was one of the "founding father[s]" of this campaign, which launched in 2009, says Chris Mooney at The Intersection blog. All profits generated by Rock Stars of Science — which is funded by the philanthropic arm of the menswear brand Geoffrey Beene — go to charities, Mooney adds. The 2011 GQ "Men of the Year" issue will feature this year's crop of rocker-researcher collaborations, which includes female scientists — four of them — for the first time. GQ's 2009 spread included Mount Sinai Alzheimer's researcher Sam Gandy and his colleagues paired with and will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas — all bedecked in bowties — as well as Harold Varmus rocking alongside Sheryl Crowe, Mooney says. Another memorable shot featured Collins and Harvard's Rudy Tanzi jamming with Aerosmith lead guitarist Joe Perry. Perry is one of Tanzi's "idols," Mooney says. "I told him that I still hear his guitar riffs and solos in my head just about every day, especially when I am trying to think creatively about a scientific question," Tanzi said.