The art of science and the science of art | Ikumi Kayama | TEDxFoggyBottom

As a scientific illustrator, Ikumi Kayama puts life into her beautiful drawings that we see every day in textbooks and doctor's offices. In her talk, she demonstrates how she was able to merge her two passions into one career and how such a small community can make a big impact.
Ikumi Kayama is the founder of Studio Kayama, creating images that combine science and art to make modern medicine and science relevant and accessible to everyone. Ikumi is currently working with surgeons and researchers to create educational illustrations on neurosurgery and orthopaedic surgery procedures. When not illustrating, Ikumi is working with medical interpreters from all over the world, teaching basic human anatomy. Otherwise, she is walking about drawing, counting, and painting birds. Ikumi holds a MA in Medical and Biological Illustration from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a BFA in Scientific Illustration from the University of Georgia. Her work has appeared internationally in juried shows, exhibits, textbooks, scientific journals, presentations, and websites. She is a recipient of Frank Netter Scholarship in medical art, and her first solo art show is scheduled for spring of 2016 at Patuxent Wildlife Refuge Research Center.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at