Cohort of 2025

Jacki is from San Antonio, Texas. She was well on her way into the medical field when she attended a high school centered around health careers. While she immensely enjoyed learning about the life sciences, she couldn’t ignore her urge to draw and create. Feeling like she had to choose one over the other, Jacki chose to pursue art. It was late into her undergraduate studies where she came across medical illustration as a viable career path. That was Jacki’s eureka moment. For the first time, she felt like she finally understood what she was meant to do. In 2021, Jacki graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

To build her confidence in applying to graduate school, Jacki worked for a couple of years to run a small business selling her art at pop-up events/markets and as an in-house artist for a local comic book art gallery shop to create illustrative works and promotional material. When she wasn’t creating art, Jacki spent time working as a receptionist for a pediatrics clinic to assist with administrative and clerical tasks. Now having a strong foundation in her artistic abilities with traditional and digital drawing, Jacki seeks to hone her illustration skills and broaden her knowledge through the BVIS program to discover which specialty to focus on. Her interests are vast, but she aims to facilitate the normalization of mental health struggles no matter a person’s age or background.

Beyond academics, Jacki is a stationery supplies enthusiast and loves to record her thoughts and observations inside her journal. You can also catch her singing karaoke, playing games at the arcade, and trying out different cafes to find the best boba teas.

Justine Avery Arizabal is a Filipina-American from Sacramento, California. Throughout her life, Justine juggled her love of art and science. It was until her discovery of Medical Illustration when she decided to merge both of her deep-rooted passions. She is especially driven to address the health disparities and underrepresentation of minorities in the field through her artwork and advocacy.

Justine earned her Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior from the University of California, Davis in 2024. Her passion for science continued beyond graduation, as she went on to serve as a lab aide for the university’s cadaver-based human gross anatomy course. She also contributed to wound healing research at the UC Davis Health Dermatology Lab by creating scientific diagrams for publication.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Justine enjoys painting, drawing, sewing, and crocheting. She also loves cooking, listening to live music, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Daniel Austin grew up in White House, TN and completed his B.S. in Health Science at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI in 2024. At Aquinas, he was a student athlete, president of the student programming board, and a student worker for varying offices. He was one of five students nominated for the Monsignor Bukowski award which distinguishes the most outstanding graduate.

He developed a love for painting, drawing, and photography from an early age. His high school biology teacher sparked his additional interest in medicine/biology, leading him to originally pursue research. While studying Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Aquinas, he learned of the field of Medical Illustration. He changed his focus to Health Science, and from then on, all focus was on BVIS.

Kristina Beligratis is from the northwest suburbs of Chicago. She received a BFA in graphic design from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign before returning to school at UIC to take biology and chemistry classes in preparation to apply for the BVIS program the following year. In the BVIS program, she wants to use her background in fine arts and love of science to present new scientific research, as well as make health education more accessible for all people.

Kai grew up in the Chicago suburbs and graduated with a BS in Biological Sciences with a minor in Global Asian Studies from UIC. As an undergraduate student, Kai was involved in event programming for Asian American student outreach, which inspired their interests in interactive education. Since graduating, Kai has worked with a neurophysiology lab as a research fellow, where they were encouraged to explore their skills in both art and science in order to communicate the lab’s research.

Finding their niche, Kai is excited to join the BVIS program and is looking forward to improving their traditional techniques while also developing their digital skills in areas such as animation and game development. Outside of work, you can find Kai listening to music, watching movies, or enjoying a matcha.

Bridget is from just outside of Boston, Massachusetts and got her degree in medical illustration with an immersion in biology from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2021. She spent the last few years working in Boston as a freelance medical illustrator and pancreatic cancer researcher focused in radiology. She did an artist in residency program at the Burren College of art in Co. Clare, Ireland in 2022 and her Irish citizenship application is currently pending. Her favorite art mediums are oil paint, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe After Effects. In her free time, she loves hiking, scrapbooking, board games, and getting iced coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts.

Wei-Zen Chen is from Taiwan and graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago with a BFA. With a strong interest in visual storytelling and a growing curiosity about how art can serve a broader purpose, she found her way to the field of Biomedical Visualization. Her background in fine arts, combined with a passion for observing and documenting, led her to pursue medical illustration as a career that blends both structure and imagination. She is particularly drawn to traditional illustration and the visual language of film, appreciating how a single image can tell an entire story. Her goal in BVIS is to combine art and science to help bridge language barriers in medical communication and address disparities in healthcare. Currently, she is working to absorb all the knowledge from her BVIS courses and become proficient in the software used for medical art creation. Outside of her academic work, Wei-Zen enjoys exploring local antique stores, reading manga, and watching quirky comedies.

Ollie is from Rantoul, Illinois. They graduated from University of Kentucky with dual bachelor’s degrees in Linguistics and Communication Sciences and Disorders, as well as a Master’s in Linguistic Theory and Typology. While working with researchers and aphasia patients at Boston University, Ollie was inspired to investigate the challenges facing traditional scientific and healthcare communication. To prepare for BVIS, they returned to school to take art and medical classes, ran an aphasia group for patients with aphasia, and worked as a primary care medical scribe. They are curious about what methods can be used to increase public confidence in parsing scientific and healthcare information. In the BVIS program, they want to create materials to improve the healthcare experience for those who face barriers navigating the current system. Ollie spends their free time upgrading their handiness skill and loves to tinker with electronics and other household contraptions.

Isis Kohle Jackson grew up in Baldwin Park, California, a small city a few miles away from Los Angeles. After high school, she moved to Palo Alto to earn a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Arts Practice from Stanford University. Even before beginning her undergraduate journey, she was deeply committed to pursuing a career in medical illustration after reigniting her passion for the arts in high school. She balanced extracurricular activities in both disciplines throughout her time in undergrad, working in an immunology lab and as a student liaison for the art department.

Today, Kohle hopes to channel her passion into the innovative use of 3D animation and virtual reality technologies to enhance education for both patients and healthcare professionals. Kohle is thrilled to join the BVIS community and explore new horizons in interactive media to make health communication accessible and digestible. You may find her reading any genre of comic or graphic novel, roller-skating, or exploring the city!

Leann Janzekovich is from New Jersey, where she graduated from The College of New Jersey with a bachelors of science in Biology and bachelors of art in Biological Illustration. She grew up with a combined passion for art & science, but didn’t pursue that passion until halfway through her undergraduate program when she discovered the field of Medical Illustration. Getting accepted into the BVIS program was the start of turning that passion into a dream career. Looking to the future, Leann is excited to learn more about 3D Modeling, 3D Printing, and Animation. She is particularly interested in the sub-field of Veterinary Illustration, as well as patient education and publication. While studying at UIC’s BVIS program, Leann hopes to further explore how best to communicate science to all audiences through her art. Some of Leann’s favorite hobbies include crocheting, reading, playing with her golden retriever, hanging out with friends, and gardening.

Sable Landingham was raised in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating from High School, she went on to pursue a BA in Computer Animation from Columbia College Chicago.  After taking anatomy and biology classes during her time as an undergraduate student, she researched Medical Illustration education where she came across the Biomedical Visualization Graduate Program here at UIC. Sable is committed to breaking down prejudice found in patient care, and decentering hurtful practices in medicine through her artwork and research.

In her future, Sable would like to work as a Digital Medical Illustrator. With her known experience in art and science, she is hoping to teach aspiring medical professionals about medical procedures, health services, and patient-centered care. When Sable is not studying or attending class, you can find her either reading, watching TV, exploring museums, or crocheting!

Yoonju Lee is from Potomac, Maryland and attended the University of Maryland, College Park, earning a BS in Biochemistry with an art history minor in 2022. During her undergrad, she was deeply involved in a Christian campus organization. She grew up drawing and painting but ultimately decided to focus her studies on the sciences with the possibility of entering the health field. While job searching after graduation, she learned about the medical illustration field and was overjoyed that she could combine art and science together. As she developed her portfolio, she worked as a biochemical lab technician and eventually applied for BVIS.

Yoonju is looking forward to learning how to use digital media to communicate medical topics and to promote learning for professionals and patients.

When she isn’t working or studying, you can find Yoonju taking nature walks, singing in the car, playing sports, sketching, and laughing about everything.

Shaina is originally from Houston, Texas, and her career journey started on the west coast of Florida where she attended school to pursue marine biology. She found out about scientific and medical illustration a few months before the start of her freshman year and, as a lifelong artist, knew it was the perfect career for her. Following her freshman year, she transferred to DePaul University in Chicago where she graduated with a B. A. in Art and a minor in Biology.

At DePaul, Shaina was involved in Radio DePaul and acted as the Art School’s student curator, developing student shows and exhibits for the school. She is excited to delve into all things BVIS has to offer, with an emphasis on 2D illustration and molecular/microbiological visualization.

In her free time, she enjoys attending figure drawing sessions, going to record and antique shops, and sketching at the zoo.

Heather Michalski is from North Aurora, Illinois, and has lived in the Chicago suburbs her entire life. From a young age, she was drawn to both the arts and sciences, which ultimately led her to pursue a double major at Augustana College. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in both Biology and Studio Art, laying a strong foundation for the interdisciplinary path she would later pursue.

Her introduction to the field of medical illustration came during an internship at Baylor College of Medicine, where she quickly realized the power of visual storytelling in science communication. This experience solidified her path toward merging her scientific knowledge and artistic skills into a meaningful and impactful career.

Through the BVIS program, she is eager to expand her technical abilities, particularly in illustration, while developing her voice as a visual communicator. She is especially passionate about improving patient education, with a focus on underrepresented medical conditions and communities that often face barriers to accessible care.

In her free time, Heather enjoys exploring new art mediums, spending time in nature, cooking, and lifting.

Edna holds a degree in Applied Science in Surgical Technology and recently earned her BA in Illustration from Columbia College Chicago. A proud first-generation college graduate, she draws on her clinical background and passion for culture and communication to expand access to science and spark curiosity in diverse audiences through illustration. Her interests span patient education, ecological and zoological visualization, and community-centered storytelling. As part of the BVIS program, she hopes to find opportunities for collaboration and community outreach. Raised in South Texas, Edna draws inspiration from the natural world and the vibrant communities that shaped her. Outside of illustration, she enjoys hiking, observing wildlife, and writing creatively.

Ben (he/him) attended the University at Buffalo; obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, and Doctoral degree in Physical Therapy. While practicing physical therapy over the last 15 years he found his passion for art, all while recognizing the complexities of patient care and education. Seeing a window to optimize both, he decided to take the leap into the world of medical illustration. Ben hopes to utilize his knowledge in the allied health sciences to produce better patient outcomes. He sees opportunities in surgical illustration/animation, and patient education modules. He hopes to learn to use modern tools, such as VR and AR for improved patient care. Ben enjoys drawing from life, swimming, hiking, and is a proud Trekkie.

Isabella (Izzy) Ruiz is thrilled to be joining the 2025 UIC Biomedical Visualization Cohort! Raised in the East Bay, California, Izzy applied her passion for art and medicine through her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology degree from Stanford University as well as her involvement in several student arts organizations, such as being the Lead Graphic Designer and Artistic Director for the Stanford Shakespeare Company. After graduation, Izzy moved to Washington D.C. and worked as a graphic designer and executive assistant for the CEO of Cassidy & Associates, one of the oldest government relations firms in Washington D.C. Izzy is also a freelance designer on the side and has helped create graphics/illustrations for several studies, medical device start-ups, and patient education materials.

In her free time, Izzy likes to garden and explore Chicago with her partner, especially all of the restaurants the city has to offer.

Alexandria (Alex) Seballos grew up in Gurnee, Illinois. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago in late 2021 with a bachelor’s in Kinesiology and a minor in Global Asian Studies. After graduating, she worked as a rehab tech at a physical therapy clinic while taking a variety of art classes at her local community college. Rediscovering her love for art, Alex decided to combine her passion with her background in science and return to UIC to pursue the BVIS program. Through BVIS, she hopes to enhance her art skills and create work that helps bridge the gap in knowledge between healthcare providers and patients.

Outside of class, Alex can be found reading, crafting, or solving her way out of escape rooms with her friends.

Emma grew up in the Hudson Valley, New York. She received a BFA in Painting with a minor in Art History from Boston University, and devoted much of her undergraduate studio time towards stop-motion animation and mixed media applications. While at school, she received funding that allowed her to conduct illustrative projects with BU’s Anatomy and Neurobiology department. After graduating, she spent time as a Teaching Artist at a non-profit youth arts organization, nurturing multimedia storytelling skills in younger artists.

Emma’s appreciation and joy for visual narrative and anatomical subject matter led her to the BVIS program, where she is excited to build up her skillset in the hopes of contributing towards educational resources in healthcare.

Veronica grew up in the Chicago suburbs and graduated with a BFA in Art & Art History from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2018. Veronica has always been an artist with a primary focus on figure drawing and artistic anatomy. While she first considered medical illustration as a career in high school, it took her many years to realize it was truly the right fit for her. In college, Veronica worked as a botanical illustrator for a U of I professor drawing rare plants of South America, which introduced her to the principles of scientific illustration. After college, Veronica worked in marketing & communications for the Health Care Engineering Systems Center at U of I, where she first heard about the BVIS program. After a brief stint in Washington D.C., where she was involved with multiple figure drawing studios, Veronica and her husband settled back home in Chicago where she set her sights on BVIS. Veronica currently works as a technical writer with a government contractor and is excited to bring her array of unique experience to the field.

Veronica loves early medical illustration, Dutch vanitas paintings, baroque painting and sculpture, and antique ephemera. Her influences are Albrecht Durer, Gustave Dore, and 17th-century scientist Frederick Ruysch. You can typically find Veronica drawing at the Palette & Chisel or spending time with her husband, friends, and family.

Ive Somocurcio was born in Rahway, New Jersey and later moved to Gastonia, North Carolina. They graduated from the University of North Carolina with their Bachelor of Arts in Biology in 2016. After graduating, they worked as a chemist in various industries. It was during their last year of undergraduate studies that they learned about the field of medical illustration and its role as a bridge between researchers and the public. Since then, they have shifted their career path. Their goals within the BVIS program are to create educational tools for students and medical personnel that can accommodate a variety of learning styles. Outside of their studies, they like to roller skate, modify clothes, take care of plants, and watch cartoons.

Dr. Karen Wu is originally from New Jersey and earned her medical degree as a graduate of the Integrated Premedical-Medical Program at the University of Michigan.  She completed a residency in orthopaedic surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City and the Otto E. Aufranc fellowship in Adult Reconstructive Surgery at New England Baptist Hospital in Boston. She has been a practicing orthopaedic surgeon for the past 20 years and was the prior residency program director for orthopaedic surgery at Loyola University Medical Center.

Karen has always had a passion for art and studied drawing, painting, ceramics, printmaking, photography and sewing throughout childhood. As an undergraduate, she had the opportunity to study art history and landscape painting in Florence, Italy. She is now excited to merge her love for art and medicine through her studies at BVIS. Her primary interest is in the education of students, trainees and clinicians through illustration and surgical simulation.