Andreah Pierre ’22, a Pomona College biology major, always has been fascinated by the ocean, studying coral reefs, sea turtles and the effects of pollution while at South Broward High School near Miami. Though she has gone whale-watching on Biology Department trips off the coast of Southern California, the many whales and other marine mammals found in the Salish Sea off the coast of Washington weren’t on Pierre's radar until last summer, when she interned at The Whale Museum in the San Juan Islands as part of the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars program.

In this presentation, I aim to highlight and reinforce the vital role scientific illustrations play in understanding and teaching complex scientific concepts. Scientific illustration and communication are essential, yet often face a lack of funding. Throughout the presentation, I will provide resources for researchers and scientists on how to connect with artists, what to include in grant proposals to secure funding for visual work, and the various ways artists can contribute to research. This will include guidance on working with freelance artists—how to reach out, collaborate effectively, and provide the necessary information they need to support your research. I’ll also showcase examples of different types of scientific illustrations and one of the key takeaways I hope to impart is that scientific illustrations do more than add aesthetic value—they help to visually simplify and communicate large concepts to a broad audience, whether they're scientists or not. With my background in marine science, certification in scientific illustration, and personal experience, I am confident in my ability to lead this discussion and offer resources for those with further questions or interest. Additionally, I will emphasize the importance of budgeting for a science illustrator within grant proposals and introduce best practices when collaborating with illustrators. At the end, I hope to highlight that while every scientific illustrator is an artist, not all artists are equipped to be scientific illustrators.