Vince holds a PhD in chemistry from Stanford University, where he researched biodegradable plastics and their application to a manned mission to Mars. He also holds a Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, as well as degrees in math and physics from the Colorado School of Mines, near his hometown of Longmont, CO.

Dr. Pane is a multifaceted artist who, alongside sculpture, explores fashion and contemporary dance. He makes most of his clothing and frequently challenges societal norms regarding male self-expression. His site-specific dance choreography incorporates elements of circus arts and dauntless feats of strength, often climbing high in trees or on large public structures. This fits well into his training for American Ninja Warrior, where he has competed for three seasons.

After finishing his PhD, Vince retired from lab-based chemistry to focus full-time on art. He thrives in the "starving artist" lifestyle, devoting himself entirely to his craft while making his van a mobile machine shop. You can frequently spot him carving away at an outdoor picnic table on campus. Like Vince’s doctoral research, his art and clothing also champion sustainability. His sculptures mainly utilize reclaimed wood that he collects, debarks, and dries himself. His clothing creatively up-cycles thrifted and unwanted fabric remnants. All his art is priceless because he doesn’t create with the intent to sell, aside from a limited number of commissioned works.

Approaching sculpture with the rigor of a scientist, Vince hopes to gain an intimate mastery over geometric, anatomical, and material elements of form and provide a unique lens to visually understand the physical world. Each of Vince’s projects and collaborations exposes him to new sculpting media, enhancing his command over various natural materials and advancing his ambitious goal: bridging the gap between observation and understanding.