GSA-Art features the creative works of scientists. Read more in GSA President Stan Fields’ call for submissions. If you would like to submit your own work or nominate someone else’s, please send an email to GenesToGenomes@genetics-gsa.org with “GSA-Art” in the subject line.
To me, science is not about being in the lab; it is about solving puzzles. I have been working as a scientist for 7 years now, moving from a wet lab job to a bioinformatic desk job. I am currently involved in a research project that examines the potential use of anti-inflammatory drugs to improve the immune response in older individuals, using skin as a model. As the first part of the study, I have characterized sets of genes that are involved in the different cell types and processes in normal skin.
I have always enjoyed drawing, and I feel that comics are a good form of accessible entertainment. I love the process of creating something from nothing; it is very satisfying seeing an idea that was once only in my head on paper. I was fortunate enough to win an online public engagement event (“I’m a scientist, get me out of here!“) where scientists talk to school students, who then vote for the winners. I said I would make an illustrative science blog if I won. So I did!