Alyssa Colasanti
As an environmental educator, I strive to make science more digestible and aim to help reconnect others to nature. Through discovering science illustration, I have been able to connect with nature on a deeper level. I have implemented scientific illustrations throughout my college career, helping me to comprehend complex biology topics, and throughout my time as an educator, implementing field sketching and activity sheets. Growing up in Upstate New York, I was driven towards art, participating in advanced art classes and eventually becoming my high school’s art club vice president. As a senior in high school, I had a change of heart on my college plans after taking an environmental course. My eyes opened to how much of an impact we have on the world, which drove me to pursue a biology degree instead of going to art school. During my undergrad at State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF), I was a research apprentice under two graduate student projects and participated as an undergraduate teaching assistant for a principles of evolution course. Through a group project of micro-invertebrates on moss, we won the first-place Shield’s Research Award for our distinction in research at Cranberry Lake Biological Station.
After graduating with my B.S. in Environmental Biology, I worked as an Invasive Species Intern for Great Swamp Conservancy in Canastota, NY. Additionally, I collaborated on a museum display that consisted of infographics and plant mounts of local invasive species. I continue to provide illustrations for Great Swamp Conservancy and strive to collaborate with other non-profits through logos or other illustrations. My art was recently displayed as part of the annual scientific illustration exhibit, The Art of Nature, at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. I recently worked as a Naturalist at YMCA Camp Campbell Outdoor Science School, where I taught 4th-6th graders about the environment through hikes within the redwood forest and hands-on science curriculum-based activities. Through a graduate study in science illustration, I aim to improve my skills to represent life forms in nature and portray important science topics interpreted by art. I hope to collaborate with other researchers by providing illustrations for projects and continuing with environmental education. I am passionate about both art and nature; by taking a graduate study in science illustration, I hope to open the window of possibilities to pursue my future career goals.
