Robert W. Keane, Ph.D., has always had a deep appreciation for art, which began in childhood. While attending parochial school, he won a drawing contest organized by the nuns, earning him free art classes as a reward.

Though his love for art remained strong, Dr. Keane ultimately pursued a career in science. Today, he is a professor of physiology and biophysics with joint appointments in neurological surgery and microbiology and immunology at the Miller School. His research focuses on the brain’s innate immune system — the body’s first line of defense against viruses, bacteria and fungi. He is also co-founder of InflamaCORE, LLC, a company that develops a drug to treat various inflammatory conditions.

Still, he continued his pursuit of art. Three years ago, after moving into a new laboratory at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Dr. Keane hung one of his paintings in a hallway. His colleagues, along with the program director, an art enthusiast, took notice and encouraged him to display more.

“I think about the creative process, and I am gone,” Dr. Keane said. “Reality is shut out, and I’m in another world with the canvas and the paint. In science, you’re by yourself, too. You are conducting that experiment for hours. You’re immersed in it; everything else goes. Artists and scientists share that love of discovery and experimentation.

“When I started out, I had the stupid notion that I was going to paint paintings that could sell, and that was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made. Now I do it from what’s motivating me on the inside, either through my science or my interactions with nature or medicine. It’s part of my life. Making something that you can look at and enjoy is very rewarding.”