Creating compelling science visuals—together

We believe research is only as good as its communication — that's why we strive to make science more engaging and understandable through clear visual storytelling that connects with all audiences.

Join the community

Science Illustrators is a collaborative learning community where researchers at all skill levels meet to explore and develop science visualization skills together. We gather on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 5:30PM-7PM at Weill Cornell Medicine.

Reach out by email (scienceillustrators at gmail.com) to learn more about our upcoming meetings and events.

Need help with a diagram?

Are you a PI or trainee seeking help with preparing a figure? Science Illustrators wants to work with you! Our team will provide individualized support to brainstorm and create your figure.

Collaboration Request

Have another question that's not answered here? Feel free to reach out to us directly at scienceillustrators at gmail.com

Meet the club

Carolyn Ton

Founder & President

Self-taught Adobe Illustrator enthusiast and PhD student researching how the early brain folds itself from a sheet into a tube-like structure. Often seen exploring NYC by CitiBike or staring at honeypot ants at the Natural History Museum.

Jen Yavid

Vice President

PhD student researching higher order chromatin organization in budding yeast. When not in lab, spends her time amassing fun facts, learning languages, and being a very involved cat mom of two.

Ragavi Vijayakumar

Outreach Coordinator

PhD student investigating how natural genetic variation influences brain development. When she's not in the lab, you can find her in a different country every so often, picking up new hobbies (TNTC), or trying every kind of food the world has to offer!

Olivia Barr

Secretary

Neuroscience PhD student researching vasculature in metastatic brain cancer. Outside the lab, you can find her running her latest half-marathon or trying all of NYC's gluten-free baked goods!

FAQ

When and where do you meet?

We meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 5:30PM to 7:00PM at Weill Cornell Medicine. Exact room details are shared with registered members via email before each meeting.

Who can join Science Illustrators?

Anyone with an interest in science communication and visualization is welcome! Our members include students, postdocs, faculty, staff, and other professionals from various scientific backgrounds. No prior art or design experience is required—we’re here to help you develop these skills.

What does a typical meeting look like?

Our meetings typically include:

A brief introduction and welcome for new members (15 minutes)
A short demonstration or tutorial on a specific visualization technique or tool (30 minutes)
Hands-on workshop time where members can work on their own projects with support from peers (45 minutes)

Some meetings feature guest speakers or focus on specific themes. We also occasionally organize special events, like field trips to exhibitions or collaborative projects.

What tools and software do you use?

We work with a variety of tools suitable for different skill levels and purposes:

Digital illustration: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Affinity Designer, Procreate, Inkscape (free), GIMP (free)
3D visualization: Blender (free), PyMOL, ChimeraX
Data visualization: R (ggplot2), Python (matplotlib, seaborn), Tableau
Diagramming: BioRender, Figma, Adobe Illustrator

Don’t worry if you don’t have experience with these tools—we provide guidance and resources to help you get started.

Do I need to attend every meeting?

Not at all! We understand that everyone has busy schedules. You’re welcome to attend as many or as few meetings as you’d like. Each meeting is designed to be valuable on its own, though regular attendance will help you build skills more consistently.

How can I get help with my scientific figure or illustration?

There are several ways to get help with your scientific illustrations:

Bring your project to one of our meetings for peer feedback and assistance
Request one-on-one support through our website’s “Collaboration Request” button
Join our online community (details provided after registration) to ask questions and share your work

We offer guidance at all stages of the visualization process, from conceptualization to final execution.

Is there a membership fee?

No, membership is completely free! We’re supported by our institutional partners and focused on building a community of practice around scientific visualization.