24/07/2025
Meet Peter Mac’s Biomedical Animator – Dr Maja Divjak.
Ever wondered how you turn complex science into something people can truly see and understand?
That’s where Dr Divjak comes in.
Since joining Peter Mac in 2017, Maja has used her unique skillset to create stunning animations that explain different aspects of cancer research and treatment – from what goes wrong inside cells to her award-winning video on CAR T-cell therapy.
Maja has a strong research background, having completed a PhD on the role of the inflammatory molecule tumour necrosis factor in asthma and treatment response.
But it’s her passion for visual storytelling that now drives her work.
Creating a full-length animation can take up to a year. It begins with deep research and collaboration with scientists, followed by scripting, storyboarding and building complex 3D models.
“Once I have a good understanding of the area, I create a story board of the animation shots in sequence and go back to the researchers to ensure I have accurately captured the area I am explaining,” Dr Divjak explains.
“I then write a script to get the timing right, start assembling models, and then the animation begins using a variety of software systems.
“The animation doesn’t just happen! A lot of work is required to make the molecules dance and move the right way and I wish more people understood how complicated that actually is!”
Maja is inspired by the invisible world inside our bodies – a constant and complex conversation between cells and molecules.
“They are the molecules of life that allow us to function, and it all happens without us even thinking about it.
“There’s this beautiful world inside us that I am fascinated by and want to share with others so they too can understand it and be aware of it."
Find out more and watch the animations: https://www.petermac.org/research/research-support-services/biomedical-animation
