About the Artist

About Me

Elise Butler

I have been interested in medicine and the natural world since before I could hold a pencil, and I started drawing the moment I could. I learned to draw by tracing horses out of how-to-draw books, and, later, through an obsession with comics and animation. I enjoy creating vibrant illustrations and animations which make complex stories engaging and relatable.

In 2022, I received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, where I completed pre-medical coursework with credits in humanities, arts, and communication. I also participated in research on the evolution of spider venom cytotoxicity. I spent the summer after graduation as an intern at the Smithsonian Institution producing entomological illustrations for the USDA.

Before applying to graduate school, I worked as a veterinary assistant for nearly two years, building knowledge of medical subject matter and skill communicating information at different levels. I discovered a passion for empowering people and improving welfare through knowledge. Currently studying Medical and Biological Illustration at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, I aim to create visuals which promote superior medical care, scientific advancement, individual advocacy, and collective consciousness.

I have been interested in medicine and the natural world since before I could hold a pencil, and I started drawing the moment I could. I learned to draw by tracing horses out of how-to-draw books, and, later, through an obsession with comics and animation. I enjoy creating vibrant illustrations and animations which make complex stories engaging and relatable.

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In 2022, I received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, where I completed pre-medical coursework with credits in humanities, arts, and communication. I also participated in research on the evolution of spider venom cytotoxicity. I spent the summer after graduation as an intern at the Smithsonian Institution producing entomological illustrations for the USDA.

Before applying to graduate school, I worked as a veterinary assistant for nearly two years, building knowledge of medical subject matter and skill communicating information at different levels. I discovered a passion for empowering people and improving welfare through knowledge. Currently studying Medical and Biological Illustration at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, I aim to create visuals which promote superior medical care, scientific advancement, individual advocacy, and collective consciousness.

Education

 

MA, Medical and Biological Illustration
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Thesis: “Designing for Health Equity: Visual Communication to Address Congenital Syphilis in Baltimore“
Student Representative, MBI Program Advisory Committee
2024-26

 

 

 

 

 

BA, Biology
Lewis & Clark College, Portland, OR
Independent Study: “Evolution of Spider Venom Cytotoxicity“
summa cum laude
2018-22

 

 

 

 

Experience

 

Student Medical Illustrator
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
2024-26

 

 

 

Veterinary Assistant
PetWellClinic, Colorado
2023-24

 

 

 

Veterinary Assistant
Vetco, Colorado
2022-24

 

 

 

Entomological Illustration Intern
USDA and Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC
2022

 

 

 

Publications and Exhibitions

 

Publications

1. Golden, E., Cooke, S., Butler, E., Gregg, L., * Gomez, E. (2025) Under the Hood: Vulvar anatomy and Pathology With a Focus on MRI. Abdominal Radiology, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-025-05179-1

 Installations

Giving Agency to Animal Ambassadors – National Aquarium Animal Care and Rescue Center, Baltimore, MD

Presentations

Lucille Innes Student Showcase – AMI Conference, Madison, WI
Vesalius Trust Scholar Presentation; Designing for Health Equity: Visual Communication to Address Congenital Syphilis in Baltimore – AMI Conference, Madison, WI
Thesis Presentation; Designing for Health Equity: Visual Communication to Address Congenital Syphilis in Baltimore – Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
2026

 

 

 

Surgical Illustration Presentation (2025) – Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
2025

 

 

 

Exhibitions

Graduate Art Show – Phipps Building, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
2026 – 27

 

AMI Salon – AMI Conference, Madison, WI

In Vivo  – Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA

2026

 

 

 

AMI Salon – AMI Conference, Grand Rapids, MI
2025

 

 

 

Recognition

 

Association of Medical Illustrators Salon

Student Best in Show, Still Media (Vascular Remodeling of the Lumbosacral Enlargement)

Award of Excellence (Vascular Remodeling of the Lumbosacral Enlargement)

Award of Excellence (Understanding Congenital Syphilis)
Social Impact Award (Understanding Congenital Syphilis)
2026

 

 

 

 

The Vesalius Trust
Vesalius Trust Scholar (Research Grant)
2026

 

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Frank H. Netter Memorial Scholarship in Medical Art
Leon Schlossberg Scholarship
W.B. Saunders Scholarship
2025-26

 

 

 

William P. Didusch Scholarship
School of Medicine Dean’s Slot Tuition Grant
2024-26

 

 

 

Lewis & Clark College
Dean’s List
2018-22

 

Education

2024-2026

MA, Medical and Biological Illustration

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Thesis: “Designing for Health Equity: Visual Communication to Address Congenital Syphilis in Baltimore“

Student Representative, MBI Program Advisory Committee

 

2018-2022

BA, Biology

Lewis & Clark College, Portland, OR

Independent Study: “Evolution of Spider Venom Cytotoxicity“

summa cum laude

 

Experience

 

 2023-2024

Veterinary Assistant

PetWellClinic, Colorado

 

2022-2024

Veterinary Assistant

Vetco, Colorado

 

2022

Illustration Intern

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC

Publications

1. Golden, E., Cooke, S., Butler, E., Gregg, L., * Gomez, E. (2025) Under the Hood: Vulvar anatomy and Pathology With a Focus on MRI. Abdominal Radiology, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-025-05179-1

Recognition

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

2025-2026

Frank H. Netter Memorial Scholarship in Medical Art

Leon Schlossberg Scholarship

W.B. Saunders Scholarship

 

2024-2026

William P. Didusch Scholarship

School of Medicine Dean’s Slot Tuition Grant

 

Lewis & Clark College

2018-2022

Dean’s List