While completing his Ph.D. in molecular biology and genetics at the University of South Florida, Hamed Mirzaei had a mission – to bring a fuller understanding of science to as many people as possible. Having previously designed and taught a course called “The Public Understanding of Science,” he sought to bring this message to a broader audience. In 2014, Hamed created a nonprofit foundation for arts and sciences—a platform where anyone in the community could hear from scientists, engineers, professors, and professional artists on a range of topics.