Medical illustrators from Augusta University and the University of Georgia gathered on March 12 to celebrate their partnership at the 35th annual Scientific and Medical Illustration Exhibit in Athens, Georgia. The event aimed to highlight the importance of visual storytelling in advancing natural and medical sciences.
The exhibition featured work from students in Georgia’s Scientific Illustration Undergraduate Program and Augusta University’s Medical Illustration graduate program, which is part of the College of Allied Health Sciences. The displays were held at the Lamar Dodd School of Art.
This year’s show emphasized how visual communication can make complex scientific and medical information more accessible. Illustrations included anatomical studies, patient education visuals, and natural science pieces, demonstrating how art serves as both an educational tool and a bridge between scientific knowledge and the public.
A total of eighteen students from Augusta University and sixteen from the University of Georgia participated. The exhibition was organized by Amanda Manowski, assistant professor at UGA, who also serves as Scientific Illustration section chair and is an alumna of Augusta University’s graduate program. Five professional medical illustrators judged the submissions based on clarity and effectiveness in conveying scientific narratives.
“The judges remarked on the high quality of the work presented and noted how challenging the final award decision was,” said Amanda Behr, PhD, department chair and professor. “I am incredibly proud of all our students, who served as exemplary ambassadors of our program and truly deserve recognition for their hard work.”
Four students received honors for their work: Sara Trumbley won the Stenstrom Award of Excellence for her depiction of a glaucoma drainage implant; Annaleah Seufert received an Award of Merit for her illustration on avian feeding anatomy; Van Pafchek earned an Award of Merit for educational visuals about Tetralogy of Fallot; Alena Pfeifer was recognized with an Award of Excellence for her 3D reconstruction illustrating female pelvic floor muscles.
The next Student Scientific and Medical Illustration Juried Exhibition will be supported by Augusta University’s College of Allied Health Sciences and the David Mascaro Fund.
