Our symbol

Aside from our name, the acronym CIAD also stands for our 4 core values

· Curiosity: the seed of discovery

· Integrity: we are allegiant to the objective & verifiable

· Accountability: to ourselves & each other; we grow through peer-review

· Dedication: meaningful accomplishments require sticktoitiveness

Our logo, the violet Penrose triangle, has multiple meanings

It is a play on words: violet and rose are the colors of skin specimens stained with hematoxylin and eosin, while pen is both noun and verb. It also resembles the Greek letter delta, Δ, which symbolizes change. Our understanding of the skin is constantly evolving, as reflected in the ever growing literature.

The Penrose triangle is also called the Impossible Triangle, because it can only be depicted in illustrations, but cannot exist as a physical object. Artist Bruno Ernst constructed a 3-dimensional version of the Impossible Triangle, which creates the illusion of being a real object if viewed from a single, fixed viewpoint (pictured, left). However, if the “triangle” is viewed from any additional perspective, its actual nature is revealed (as shown in the mirror). Such is the value of collaborating with diverse professional teams: utilizing a variety of perspectives can significantly improve understanding of the subject.