From the very beginning of her educational career in her native Romania and through her doctoral studies in Greece, Florina Ciorba's primary focus was on all things logical and structured as she pursued a degree in computer science, leaving little time to devote to personal creativity.
Shortly after joining the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems in December 2008, the post-doctoral associate took a personal enrichment class in henna body art, which awoke artistic instincts within her she had never before experienced.
Prior to taking the class, she confesses, she couldn't draw a straight line without a ruler. However, since learning the techniques, she has become an accomplished artist in her own right, studying numerous other traditional and modern techniques while incorporating her own designs. It has even helped her to understand something a former professor told her when discussing her future.
"My professor said to me, 'the joy of creation and being a pleasant presence to those around you are the secrets to being a success in life,'" Florina said. "Henna art has awakened in me a strong desire for artistic expression that is hard to resist. Being able to create a thing of beauty for others to enjoy is very fulfilling and it enables me to clear my head. I become more enthusiastic about the technical aspects of my life and career."