Author’s interpretation: The texture of Mr. Luis’s iris resembles the fur of a wolf, alluding to his father’s maternal surname. The central neutrophil and its DNA (blue) symbolize, respectively, Mr. Rodrigo and his profound passion for research, which he passed on to his colleagues, here represented by the surrounding erythrocytes imbued with that same DNA. This alludes to Mr. Rodrigo’s fundamental role in the consolidation of the Office of the Vice President for Research, extending a family legacy of public service established by his father, Mr. Uladislao, who served as Costa Rica’s Minister of Public Education on three occasions.

Author’s interpretation: Within the texture of Mrs. Paquita’s iris, an angel-like figure emerges, with two light-blue cellular nuclei at its center resembling eyes. This imagery alludes to the devotion and protection that Mr. Guillermo provided to his children and students. At the same time, these two lymphocytes represent the two renowned chemists bearing the Chaverri surname of that era: Mr. Guillermo and Mr. Gil.

Author’s interpretation: Within the texture of the iris, a figure resembling a fruit emerges, containing the seed of knowledge, symbolized by Mr. Primo Luis’s DNA in salmon. This seed is surrounded by other green seeds, which represent the farmers he helped through his research in agronomy.

Author’s interpretation: Within the texture of the iris, forms evoking a natural landscape with cascading waterfalls emerge, alluding to Mr. Carlos’s work on watershed management and sustainable development. The nuclei of his leukocytes are arranged as a network, symbolizing one of the defining achievements of his administration: the consolidation of the internet infrastructure at the University of Costa Rica.

Author’s interpretation: Within the texture of the iris, a dry landscape emerges, reminiscent of Orotina, Alajuela, the hometown of Mrs. Yamileth. The scene acquires a dreamlike quality, alluding to the aspirations of a young woman from a rural community who would go on to become the first woman to serve as Dean of the Graduate Studies System, Vice President for Research, and President of the University of Costa Rica. Along the same conceptual line, her blood cells resemble a pitahaya plant (Selenicereus undatus), a species characteristic of that environment. At its upper end appears the fruit in red (DNA), representing Mrs. Yamileth and one of her most distinctive qualities: mediating communication (yellow) among different actors within the university, here represented by the green erythrocytes.

Author’s interpretation: Within Mrs. Elena’s iris texture, the duality between the conscious and the unconscious emerges, symbolized by the sharp upper portion and the blurred lower portion, respectively, alluding to her father’s profession as a psychologist. The arrangement of the orange cellular nuclei resembles the points of an upward-trending graph, representing the improvements in microbiology research achieved during Mr. Henning’s tenure as Vice President for Research and President of the University of Costa Rica.

Author’s interpretation: The texture of the iris forms an eye with reptilian features, alluding to Mr. Ramiro’s profession as a biologist. Within it emerges an entity that symbolizes his character and wisdom. The three green cellular nuclei represent his service as Vice President for Administration, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Vice President for Research.

Author’s interpretation: The subject’s iris displays a texture and coloration reminiscent of a Vancouver forest in autumn, representing the place where she completed her doctoral studies and her deep connection to the natural world through the research she conducts at the Center for Research in Natural Products. The yellow cellular nucleus appears to be undergoing metamorphosis, reflecting Mrs. Alice’s own nature as a scholar in constant transformation and growth.

Author’s interpretation: Within the texture of the iris, a sunflower emerges, symbolizing Mr. Fernando’s dedication to the University of Costa Rica and his profound passion for research. The orange cellular nucleus displays two lobes that represent different stages of his life, alluding to his resilience and capacity for reinvention in the face of adversity.

Author’s interpretation: The work is entirely related to Mr. Adrián’s research interests and greatest passion: the study of symbiotic interactions between microorganisms and social insects, such as ants. Within the textures of the subject’s iris and skin emerge forms reminiscent of macroscopic views of an ant’s body, while the DNA (cyan) visible in the image of his blood cells resembles the orderly movement of these insects as they travel in formation through their environment.

Author’s interpretation: The subject’s iris displays a wood-like texture that symbolizes her strength and character, followed by the microscopic detail of her skin, which, like a delicate veil, evokes her kindness and collaborative nature. The green cellular nucleus exhibits two lobes representing the two cerebral hemispheres, alluding to her multifaceted nature and the diversity of roles she has fulfilled throughout her life as a mother, scholar, entrepreneur, and figure within university politics.

Author’s interpretation: The work portrays the critical period currently faced by the University of Costa Rica in response to pressures from the national goverment, a situation represented by the dark abyss visible in the lateral panel. The central panel represents Mr. José, who, through his position, must serve as a bridge to ensure that research activities continue amid the crisis. The nucleus of the central neutrophil resembles a fetus, symbolizing the Office of the Vice President for Research, while the green erythrocytes, displaying different morphologies, represent both the traditional approach to research (round), which has yielded results to date, and the innovative approach (irregular), which must be embraced to ensure the continuation of high-quality research under current circumstances.