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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!

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Related posts:

  1. 2013 AOI Science Illustration Awards
  2. SayoStudio Website Design by Claire Agosti of Indiseño Co.
  3. 2020 SayoStudio Science Art
  4. Black Hole Art for Nobel Prize Winner

Art,  Client Feature,  Inspiration,  Science 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
Learn the science behind this DIY, free, effective Learn the science behind this DIY, free, effective water filter. This close-up of a xylem pore (bordered pit) is from an animation of water filtered through pinewood, where bacteria like E. coli are trapped. Created for @MITpics scientists. 

See the full animation and learn more on our blog, link in profile 😃.
How will we know if we’ve found ET? #spaceart cr How will we know if we’ve found ET? #spaceart created for @skyandtelescopemag shows a habitable #exoplanet, with 3 key areas of Earth science to define a biosignature: quantum chemistry, molecular biology and atmospheric science. 

1. Quantum chemistry: how can we identify molecules from their spectral lines?
2. Molecular biology: which gas molecules are created by life?
3. Atmospheric science: how do different gases interact in an atmosphere?

The planet was 3D modeled using @Quadspinner #Gaea to create an eroded, rocky landscape with oceans and mountain ranges, layered with lots of clouds in Cinema4d. Our goal was to create a recognizably habitable planet, while still making it unique and clearly different from Earth.
Happy spring! We’re glad 2020 is fading into mem Happy spring! We’re glad 2020 is fading into memory, but looking back, we’re so grateful we had amazing science to focus on creating #SciArt for. Here is a #sayostudio 2020 favorite of moose ecological impacts, created for Shawn J. Leroux @mun_bios 

More 2020 favorites on our blog: https://loom.ly/blvn-mQ
How do materials behave at the #nanoscale (DNA’s How do materials behave at the #nanoscale (DNA’s width)? Scientists @lehighengineers study the benefits and the potential risks of nanotech in our cells. Our #sciart shows a petri-dish of stem-cells, with a close-up of a graphene nanotube wrapped in ribbons of single-stranded DNA at the cell membrane. #nanodays
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