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Women in STEM Science Illustration Spotlight

March 19, 2021 by Nicolle Fuller Leave a Comment

Science illustration of a stem cell making it's way through a gel. Created by Nicolle R. Fuller, SayoStudio
A stem cell makes its way through the holes of a gel matrix. The gel, a mimic of bone, will help researchers develop better-wound healing technology. Created for biomolecular engineer Dr. Kelly Schultz (Lehigh University).

Women in STEM, Science Illustration Focus

We’re honoring Women’s History this March, by recognizing women in STEM. We’re starting with a look at SayoStudio’s science start, and then focusing on encouraging women in science. Finally, we are featuring science illustrations created for a few of the incredible women scientists that SayoStudio has worked with. (Prefer to jump directly to the women in STEM gallery?)

SayoStudio’s Science Start

As SayoStudio’s Creative Director, I have to admit to a small identity crisis. People ask: are you an artist or a scientist? Nearly 20 years into my science illustration career, I slightly dodge the question. My answer is that I am enthusiastically a science communicator. I get to work with amazing scientists, translating their discoveries and ideas into visuals that people can connect with.

Initially, I did start out as a scientist-in-training, working as a research assistant in a parasitology lab. I was swept away with the hope of learning insights into—and hopefully cures for—tropical diseases like Leishmaniasis and malaria. I studied the molecular pathways of nucleotide transfer by diligently working on western blots and ELISAs (experiments looking for the presence of specific proteins in different cell organelles).

In my early lab work I discovered… that it’s a slog. I don’t mean that negatively, but my romantic notion of finding cures doesn’t happen quickly. It happens over decades, not years, and it takes a huge level of commitment. After working in the lab I realized that I could contribute in a different way, by highlighting the research of those who have the fortitude, perseverance, and love for bench work.

watercolor painting of a lab notebook
A watercolor painting of Nicolle Fuller’s lab notebook, from her work in Dr. Buddy Ullman’s lab (OHSU) with a pipette, confocal microscopy of malaria parasites behind, and her resulting paper.

Shift to Communicate Science

I have SO much respect and admiration for my peers who have continued on their scientific quest. On the other hand, I’m proud to now translate, communicate, and advocate for science alongside my fellow science communicators.

Our team now has a molecular-biologist turned designer, a slime-mold expert who hones our marketing, and to round us all out, a non-scientist Programs Director who has worked alongside us nerds scientists and science-types for over 15 years in the National Science Foundation’s public affairs office before arriving here. All of us at SayoStudio are so grateful that we are in a position to honor and celebrate women scientists.

Celebrating and Encouraging Women in Science

Girls in STEM science illustration created for NSF, by Nicolle R. Fuller, SayoStudio
Conceptual Science Illustration for the National Science Foundation’s program to encourage women and underrepresented groups to pursue STEM careers. (Art by SayoStudio, photo of girl from shutterstock)

SayoStudio’s core mission is to further science with visuals, and much of that means furthering women’s voices in science. Whenever we create science illustrations and animation, we’re working to communicate information—but just as importantly—some might argue more—is encouraging excitement for science. And although our work is often geared toward other adults, we also hope to nurture that spark of wonder in our future scientists.

Why does it matter? Despite equal math scores with their male classmates, middle school and high school girls don’t pursue engineering, math and science at the same rate. In fact, despite accounting for 52% of the college-educated workforce, only 29% of the STEM workforce is female (NSF’s labor and workforce statistics). Drill down into the numbers to minority and disadvantaged groups, and it gets even worse. Edutopia’s excellent article collates many references on the subject that delve into some of the potential causes and solutions.

Here at SayoStudio we’re growing our science communication team with kick-a** women who are passionate about visualizing science. We’re excited to bring more attention to stunning discoveries, and along the way encourage more girls to join the future ranks of engineers, scientists, and mathematicians.


Amazing Science Showcased in Illustrations

Finally, the part you’ve all been waiting for… inspiring science from women in STEM! Please enjoy the following gallery showcasing just a few of the women researchers whose work we’ve visualized. You can learn more about Dr. Ghez’s black hole research, and Dr. Angela Brown’s research into new antibiotics.

 

Combating Bacterial Disease Animation Still
Biochemist Dr. Angela Brown looks to re-imagine what anti-bacterials can be, to combat the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Ecologist and paleontologist Dr. Pincelli Hull studies past fossil extinction records to predict what our ocean’s future may be in a warming climate.
Nanoscientist Krithika Ramchander studies wood’s water xylem pores dynamics at the nano-scale to engineer a cost-effective water filter.
Another look at biomolecular engineer Dr. Kelly Schultz’s research on biogels. In this case, developing smart drug delivery nanogels.
Neurobiologist Dr. Galit Pelled studies how gene therapy may help restore sight, published with Alexander Farnum in @FrontNeurosci.
Astrophysicist Dr. Andrea Ghez’s Nobel prize winning research followed a star to the edge of the black hole at the center of our galaxy.

If you feel inspired and would like to join the science art conversation, please sign up for my newsletters!

Get Inspired!

...with new science art and sci-communication tips. Join the SayoStudio conversation to receive newsletters, special offers and more.


 

Related posts:

  1. 2013 AOI Science Illustration Awards
  2. How to Make a ZBrush Baby
  3. Conceptual Science Illustration World Bee Day, 2021
  4. Black Hole Art for Nobel Prize Winner

Inspiration,  Science,  Science Illustration,  Scientist Feature andrea ghez,  black hole,  disadvantaged students STEM,  education,  engineering,  nano,  nobel prize physics,  science,  science illustration,  stem,  women,  women scientist,  Women STEM,  women's history

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sayostudioscience

#sciart—microbes 🔬to galaxies 🔭—Nicolle Fuller leads SayoStudio creating art & animation of science wonders. #scienceillustration

SayoStudio
Did you know you can make a free, DIY water filter Did you know you can make a free, DIY water filter out of wood?! 

Trees naturally have xylem -- a straw like tubing -- to transport water and nutrients into the tree. The pores inside these xylem tubes are very complex on a nanoscale. Water molecules can flow freely through the tubing, but larger bacterial cells get trapped inside the xylem structures.
Because this filtration system removes rotavirus and E. coli, these filters meet the standards set by @WHO for clean, drinkable water. 

Learn more about nanoscientist Krithika Ramchander and Dr. Rohit Karnik's (@mit_engineering) research and see an animation of the xylem catching bacteria on our blog: https://sayostudio.com/science-diy-water-filter-animation

Art and animation created by Nicolle R. Fuller, SayoStudio
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#waterfilter #diywaterfilter #xylemwaterfilter #treefilter #tree #xylem #mit #engineeringweek #engineering #mitengineering #nanoscience #scicomm #sciart #scienceillustration #scientificillustration #sayostudio #animation
Is #ScienceFriday a thing on social media..? It is Is #ScienceFriday a thing on social media..? It is? Then allow us to introduce you to the basics of #StringTheory! â €
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String theory is a Theory of Everything (Grand Unification Theory) that seeks to unite the gravitational force with the other fundamental forces (electromagnetism and nuclear forces) that are already described by quantum mechanics at the atomic level. â €
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Gaining a foothold in the theoretical physics community during the 1970's, string theory states that fundamental particles such as quarks + electrons are not points of energy or matter, but result instead from the vibrations of one-dimensional ‘string-like’ entities on a far smaller scale. ⠀
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Although string theory is highly debated and very complex, it poses very interesting solutions to why our observed universe acts the way it does. â €
What's your take on string theory? â €
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Artwork by Nicolle R Fuller, SayoStudio â €
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#stringtheory #granreunificationtheory #theoryofeverything #physics #quantummechanics #nuclear #multidimensions #dimensions #sciart #scienceillustration #scicomm #electromagnetism #energy #matter â €
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Could neurodegenerative diseases really be caused Could neurodegenerative diseases really be caused by ancient viral infections? â €
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The recent discovery of viral proteins in the brains of MS/ALS patients created a mysterious link between human genes and neurodegenerative disease. â €
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Researchers are just now beginning to understand how ancient human endogenous retroviruses (or HERVs) affect our immune responses today. HERV proteins cause disruptions of nuclei in cells; triggering the cells to mount an immune response in the central nervous system. This disruption spreads from cell to cell progressively; and is shown to cause significant motor neuron deterioration. â €
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You can read more about this research here: https://loom.ly/_uTOBvc â €
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Artwork by Nicolle R. Fuller, SayoStudio for @the_scientist_magazine. â €
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#msawarenessweek #multiplesclerosis #neurodegenerative #neurodisease #als #ms #medicalillustration #cell #sciart #scicomm #scienceillustration #medart #stem #sayostudio â €
Having your heart flutter on Valentine's Day might Having your heart flutter on Valentine's Day might seem normal...but for some, it's a common symptom of atrial fibrillation. 💓

Afib is a heart arrhythmia characterized by irregular or fast beating. Electrical signals in the heart dictate how often your heart pumps-- and for some this can get out of whack, causing palpitations and dizziness. 

Luckily  treatment exists to manage Afib. To learn more, visit the American Heart Association or click the link below: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/atrial-fibrillation

Artwork by Nicolle R. Fuller, SayoStudio for @popularmechanics
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#AmericanHeartMonth #NationalHeartMonth #Scienceillustration #sciart #hearthealth #americanheartassociation #afib #atrialfibrillation #arrhythmia #valentinesheart #heartart #medicalart #medicalillustration
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