I have exciting news! The illustrations I worked on two years who about the endocannabinoid system are now published in the 6th edition of the ASAM addiction medicine textbook! It's so surreal to see my work published in a textbook in print. I was so excited to see that my work was being used to educate others about the beauty of biology. All my hard work has paid off! Thank you Tricia Hardt Smith for all of the support, working with me on the illustrations, writing the chapter with her co-workers, and putting in all of the hours to make this possible!
I had the pleasure of working with Tricia H. Smith in her research on endocannabinoids, these illustrations were originally for the ASAM textbook but I colored the illustrations for her Biology of Drugs class.
This month's main article for The Scientist magazine focuses on how the Luquillo Forest responds to artificial hurricanes to better understand the environmental impacts of hurricanes on the ecosystem and how the forest regrows itself after natural disasters.
Illustration demonstrating the effects of exercise in mice.
“Physical activity increases the volume of the brain’s hippocampus and improves learning and memory in mice and humans. Mouse studies have linked these effects to the growth and maturation of new neurons. Now, researchers are beginning to unravel the molecular mechanisms that connect exercise to these cognitive benefits.”
Skotomorphogenesis is the mechanism in which seedlings grow without the presence of sunlight. Pectin in the cell walls are broken down in the absence of light, which signal cells in the lower part of the seedling to continue growing in hopes of reaching sunlight.
This jellyfish uses GFP (green flourescent protein) to emit a bright green fluorescence. This protein is used in studying genetically modified organisms as a biomarker for genes. This was created for the 2017 Fall VCU capstone laboratory.
Axolotls are amphibians that can regenerate their limbs; this piece was featured in articles the GEOlino and P.M. Magazin published in Germany about limb regeneration.
I created an illustration for Riggs Ward Design featuring the celebrated wildlife of the Latta Plantation Nature Preserve and Steven's Creek in Charlotte, NC: Michaux's sumac, Schweinitz's sunflower, and the great horned owl.
I was commissioned by The Scientist Magazine to create an illustration that accurately described the process of liver regeneration.
Description:
Liver injury causes ATP to be released from the cell, as shown in step A. This then activates the macrophages which are sent to the injured site of the liver in step B, making contact with the hyaluronan on the liver cell which causes a cascade that releases the DNA of dead liver cells to the mesothelium, which regenerates the injured area.
Current Biology published an article discussing the importance of scientific illustration to help others to understand scientific processes, using my illustration as an example.
Description:
Southern masked weaver males make up to 25 hanging nests per mating season in hopes of finding a female mate. After building and dancing, a female will come to inspect the nest. If the work is not up to par, the female may dismantle the nest, making the male build another one to her liking. If the female is pleased with the build, she will stay and copulate.
Each year VCUarts publishes a book featuring student work to send to prospective students. I was featured in the 2014 booklet as well as on VCU Communication Arts' website.
