Home: Welcome

DESIGN FOR YOUR SCIENCE

Custom-made illustrations for scientists

As a science illustrator, I help scientists disseminate their research – to both an academic and lay audience – opening conversations that revert to better science.

GET YOUR DESIGN

SERVICES

Diagram for a scientific review (figure for a manuscript).

ILLUSTRATIONS AND DIAGRAMS

Explain complex concepts or methodologies with elegant custom-made illustrations. A unique figure will make your article more memorable.

Graphical abstract to summarise a scientific article.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACTS

Catch the eye of readers with a graphical abstract. This increasingly popular demand from editors is a great way to help the reader dive into your paper.

Personalised cover illustration for a PhD thesis,

Thesis design / Proefschrift layout en ontwerp

COVER ART & EDITORIAL

Make an impact with your article featured on the journal cover or wrap up your PhD thesis with a beautiful illustrated metaphor. Science news can also be accompanied by an illustration.

Figure for a grant proposal or grant application.

FIGURES FOR A GRANT PROPOSAL

Increase your chances of success with elegant figures and diagrams to accompany your grant application. If you prefer to make your own figures, I can review them and give you actionable tips for professional and effective results.

LOGOS &
BRAND IDENTITY

Labs, biotech companies, and research consortia are increasingly developing brand identities to enhance visibility, attract top talent, and foster collaborations. A distinctive logo, cohesive color palette, and engaging website illustrations—can help you stand out and communicate your mission effectively.

SCIENCE OUTREACH

Communicating science to society is rewarding and can have a positive impact on your own research. However, creating the right materials for a lay audience can be time-consuming. Save time by letting me do the visuals.

OTHER SERVICES

PhD Thesis Design: Cover and layout tailored to you
Figure and Presentation Review: Professional feedback on figures, illustrations, and slide decks.
Branding for Science: Logo design, color palette, slide deck templates, social media assets, and a tailored brand guide—perfect for labs, research consortiums, and companies.
Scientific and Medical Writing: Writing, reviewing, and editing for grant applications and outreach materials.

If you have an idea that is not shown here, I'd love to discuss it with you!

Get in touch

Home: Services

Home: Portfolio

Graphical abstract showing stress-induced depletion of melanocyte stem cells in the hair bulb, leading to hair greying, based on Zhang et al., 2020.

Illustration showing brain-specific immune cells from skull bone marrow traveling to the meninges through bone channels, while harmful immune cells stay in the blood

PhD thesis cover design with scientists in lab coats investigating a giant antibody, illustrating IgA's role in health and disease.

Grant application summary figure for early osteoarthritis detection, showing sections on rationale, biomarkers, assay development, implementation, and impact.

Stylized cartoon of LuxI-LuxR-type quorum sensing circuit for microbiology review by Soto-Aceves et al., 2023.

Infographic showing immunohistochemistry process, labeling cell-specific proteins with antibodies to distinguish different cell types.

Infographic comparing the characteristics of viruses with evidence for and against their classification as alive, covering reproduction, organization, evolution, metabolism, growth, homeostasis, and response to stimuli.

Graphical abstract comparing intravenous and intrastriatal delivery of adeno-associated virus (AAV) into the mouse brain.

Graphical abstract showing the role of sphingolipid balance and pro-resolving microglia in Alzheimer’s disease, with dysregulation leading to inflammatory microglia and amyloid plaque formation.

Watercolor-style PhD thesis cover illustration showing antibodies, granulocytes, NK cells, and monocytes for a thesis on antibody therapy in cancer.

Graphical abstract illustrating how neuroblast senescence in the aged brain activates NK cells, impairing neurogenesis and cognition by killing neuroblasts.

Illustration comparing blood-brain barrier (BBB) and choroid plexus, showing capillary cross-section with tight junctions, pericytes, astrocyte endfeet, and a choroid plexus section with tight junctions and fenestrated blood vessels.

PhD thesis cover design showing macrophage and tumor cell interaction via sialic acid and Siglec receptors in cancer progression and immune evasion.

Illustration showing coronal view of the human brain with lateral ventricles, septum pellucidum, and choroid plexus producing CSF, with a zoomed-in cross-section of the choroid plexus.

Infographic showing the molecular structure of saturated fats (e.g., butter), cis (e.g., oil), and trans unsaturated fats, with bonds and configuration for science outreach.

Graphical abstract showing motor learning promoting remyelination, with oligodendrocytes myelinating axons and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) in early and delayed learning conditions.

Infographic showing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) with bubbles and symbols representing visual, sensory, gait, balance, cognitive, urinary & bowel, fatigue & weakness, and sexual dysfunction.

Illustration of the CNS vascular tree, from artery to vein, with blood vessel sections (pre-capillary arteriole, capillary bed, post-capillary venule) and cell types (smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, macrophages, pericytes, astrocyte endfeet) in each zone.

Graphical abstract illustrating the uptake of myelin fragments by brain endothelial cells in multiple sclerosis (MS), leading to T cell activation and inflammation in the brain.

Illustration of the wrinkled human brain inside a balloon, showing the brain's surface area as it would be if smooth.

Illustration showing regional differences in capillary density in the brain, with a sagittal brain section and spinal cord cross-section, highlighting circumventricular organs like the pineal gland, choroid plexus, and pituitary gland.

FAQ

WHY SHOULD I HIRE A SCIENCE ILLUSTRATOR?

A science illustrator has the background to quickly understand your science and capture it in an illustration. Communication is easier. A science illustrator takes care of the details and prevents scientific inconsistencies from slipping into the figures. My research experience during the MSc and PhD in biomedical sciences and my background in the pharmaceutical industry allows me to comfortably navigate new topics and different research fields.

I’VE NEVER HIRED A SCIENCE ILLUSTRATOR: HOW DOES IT WORK?

First, contact me explaining your request. We’ll arrange a free online consultation to discuss the project, the service and the dates. With that information, I will send you a quotation. If you’re happy with it, we’ll sign a contract and I’ll get to draw. Typically, there are two revision rounds to ensure the illustrations fit your needs perfectly. Lastly, I’ll send you the final illustrations and your science will shine!

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE AN ILLUSTRATION?

It depends on the complexity, size and style of the illustration, as well as on the amount of initial information provided. Single, predefined illustrations can be done in a few hours, while bigger, open projects can take weeks. You can save yourself this precious time and continue your research while I take care of the illustrations.

HOW MUCH DOES AN ILLUSTRATION COST?

It depends on the project: complexity and licence of use are the most important factors. We’ll arrange a free consultation to discuss the details of your request. After that, I will give you a quotation and you can decide if you want to proceed.

I WANT A NICE ILLUSTRATION BUT I DON’T HAVE A CLEAR IDEA, CAN YOU HELP?

Definitely. We’ll discuss your ideas and I can design a few drafts to guide you to the final, desired illustration that fits your needs.

CAN YOU ILLUSTRATE A CONFIDENTIAL PROJECT?

Yes, we can include a confidentiality clause in the contract so that your research remains confidential. At your request, I will remove the manuscript files once the project is finished.

CAN I GET AN INVOICE?

Yes, you’ll always get an invoice together with the final illustration files.

HOW CAN I PAY?

Via bank transfer as specified in the final invoice. Payment is due within 15 days of the delivery of the final illustrations. Payment with credit card is possible with a fee.

CAN I USE THE ILLUSTRATION ANYWHERE?

It depends on the licence we agree on, which will be reflected in the contract. A typical licence allows you to use the illustrations for a certain purpose. If you want to use them elsewhere, we can discuss a more flexible licence for an additional fee.

Home: FAQ

Home: Testimonials

"Sabela fulfilled the brief perfectly - capturing the key message of our abstract in a highly original and distinctive figure, with clear communication throughout the process.

I have no hesitation in recommending."

Dr Matt Gage,
Royal Veterinary College, University of London

WHERE SOME OF MY CLIENTS WORK

University of London

University of Copenhagen

Maastricht University
Amsterdam UMC
Karolinska Institutet
University of California

Simon Fraser University

UC San Diego

Microbiology Society

Tessellate Bio

Polyplus-transfection

tp21

Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Society

Alberta Health Services

SPACETIME consortium

ABOUT

I’m Sabela Rodríguez Lorenzo, a biomedical researcher turned science illustrator with a PhD from Amsterdam UMC.

I was born and raised in green and rainy Galicia, northwest Spain. I love painting since I was a kid. During my childhood, I received an artistic education, but I set my hobby aside when I chose to study Biology at university. Determined to get the best training in research, I’ve lived in Norway, the UK and The Netherlands.

During my PhD, I realised I could combine my two passions into one and become a science illustrator. I now enjoy using digital art and design to make complex scientific concepts accessible, creating engaging visuals for the curious eye.

Home: About

CONTACT

Have a scientific idea you'd like to bring to life?

I create engaging illustrations that amplify the impact of your research, elevate your lab's visibility, and attract new collaborations.

Home: Contact