Kasmauski entered college with plans to become a marine biologist. The degrees she ultimately received, in anthropology and religion, helped her explore her real fascination—how science allows us to understand ourselves and how that shapes our destiny.

“My interest is the people, not the process of technology,” Kasmauski says. “Instead of saying, ‘Here is the machine our understanding has created,’ I say, ‘Here is the person affected by our understanding.’”

Falls Church Arts at ArtSpace Falls Church features award-winning National Geographic Photo Journalist, Karen Kasmauski

Born to a Japanese mother, Kasmauski has explored her own roots in several stories, including an intimate look at the world of Japanese women, economic coverage of Japan in Asia, and examination of the challenges facing Okinawa. Her travels have taken her from the rain forests of Malaysia to the megacities of India to the North Slope of Alaska. She has covered earthquakes in Japan, been arrested in Africa, and exposed to radiation in Russia.

Her book, Impact: From the Frontlines of Global Health, was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. The current exhibit at ArtSpace Falls Church is an exhibition based on her  book.  This exhibition has been displayed at the Carter Center and the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.  From the rivers of Africa to the streets of India to the living rooms of North America, people face new and renewed threats to their health and security. Thirty previously unknown diseases have emerged in the past 35 years, among them HIV/AIDS, SARS and West Nile virus. In addition, improper use of antibiotics, poor sanitation and lack of clean drinking water are partly to blame for old foes like tuberculosis and influenza thriving and developing more resistant strains.

Kasmauski is prominently featured in the award-winning book National Geographic Women Photographers, and she has been profiled on several television shows.

She also has worked closely with Nikon and is a member of their prestigious “Legends Behind the Lens” group. A sought-after speaker and educator, she has taught at the Nikon School, the Maine Photographic Workshop, the Brooks Institute, and many colleges, including George Washington University in Washington. D.C. She gives frequent presentations on global health issues for corporate and nonprofit organizations.

Prior to working for National Geographic, Kasmauski spent five years as a staff photographer with the Virginian Pilot-Ledger Star in Norfolk, Virginia. She has received numerous awards in the annual White House News Photographers and Pictures of the Year competitions.

ArtWORKS by Falls Church Arts is an educational program attended by the general public as well as special field trips to ArtSpace for Falls Church middle and high school arts students.  The annual program each Fall allows seasoned professionals in any field of the visual arts to present their works and share their knowledge with aspiring students in the arts to increase their understanding of real-life career challenges, decisions, and routes taken by professional artists on their road to success.  Seeing the work and hearing the words of successful arts professionals during the program, students of all ages learn the often indirect route taken by artists to achieve career success.

The exhibition will begin at 7pm Thursday with a reception followed by a presentation at 7:30pm.  Kasmauski will take questions following the presentation.  The reception and show are free and open to the public.