Lauren Muskara

Lauren Muskara (b. 1997, TX) is a Chicago-based biomedical visualization designer and communicator, researcher, and intersectional fine artist. Her fine artwork examines the intersection of art, science, medicine, and technology. Comprised of realistic and minimalist-inspired paintings and drawings aimed at amplifying complex biomedical experiences, her work questions the connections between biomedical exploration and the expressive, conceptual aims of art. Additionally, she is passionate about advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the realm of gender-affirming care and exploring possibilities within the areas of anaplastology, biomedical illustration, painting, drawing, sculpture, and interactive media. She has had work published and exhibited in the American Journal of Bioethics, Frontiers in Immunology, Springer Protocols, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the International Museum of Surgical Science, to name a few. Lauren obtained a Master of Science in Biomedical Visualization with an emphasis on visual learning and visual thinking and exploring the process of scientific inquiry. Her current research looks at prostheses as a non-surgical alternative to surgery for transgender, non-binary, and intersex (TNBI) folks and looks at how visual elements can be used to advance survey methodology. Her work has been awarded a Walter Spohn Trust (WST) Anaplastology Research Grant. Such honor is given to those whose interdisciplinary research has the potential to make a genuine difference in the lives of anaplastology patients. Lauren was also awarded the Elena M. Zavos Isotita Endowed Scholarship for her commitment to the transgender community. To bolster the impact of biomedical visualization, she volunteers in professional organizations such as the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI) and the Student Association of Medical Artists (SAMA). In SAMA, she spearheaded the position of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) chair, where she organized an annual guest lecture, an outreach event, and monthly community forums. Such meetings utilized a DEI lens (considering race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies) to create a safe space to address concerns from members. Before pursuing an advanced degree in biomedical visualization, Lauren graduated from Southwestern University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art, a Bachelor of Science in Biology, and a minor in Health Studies. While at Southwestern, she divided her time between conducting undergraduate research in a molecular ecology lab and developing her fine arts practice. In addition to being a Paideia, King Creativity, and SCOPE scholar, she received the Lancaster Award in Studio Art, the Vicente D. Villa Award in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and the King Creativity Walt Potter Prize.