1983 Alumnus Animated by Science and Art

The intersection of science and art struck an innovative chord with Class of 1983 alumnus Michael Astrachan as he merged the logical left side of his brain with the creative right to establish XVIVO Scientific Animation.

XVIVO Scientific Animation is a scientific and medical animation studio located in Hartford, Conn. With over 20 years of experience, Mike combines his foundation as a classically trained artist with a passion for science education, creating visually stunning and scientifically accurate stories for his clients.

To produce compelling animations, Mike and his team collaborate with the client and work together through the six step process: research, script, storyboard, animatic, rough, and final. The team is composed of researchers, medical writers, artists, animators, emerging tech experts, and producers who translate complex scientific information into informative animations and productions. The animations have captivated audiences at TED and TEDMED, as well as received acclaim from Moderna, Harvard, and Biohaven. Their work has also been seen in features by the New York Times, NPR, and the Oprah Winfrey Show.

“My mission is to bridge the gap between groundbreaking scientific discoveries and public understanding,” said Michael. “We collaborate with life science companies to not just showcase but illuminate the essence of their science; facilitating education, attracting capital, and circumventing the pitfalls of ineffective marketing.”

Reflecting on his time under the pines, Michael credits former science teacher, the late Dr. Barbara Beitch, along with former chemistry teacher Dan Zibello, current Lower School art teacher Sue Bennett 1973, and science teacher Bruce Zundell for molding his passion for art and design. Following Hamden Hall, he enrolled at the University of Connecticut where he graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He began his career in the creative space working as a freelance artist before establishing his own company, Polygon Animation, in 1997 followed by XVIVO in 2001.