Skip to Content

FIRST IN FLY: DROSOPHILA RESEARCH AND BIOLOGICAL DISCOVERY

Cover of First in Fly: Drosophila Research and Biological Discovery, by Stephanie E. Mohr.

In 2016, I collaborated with leading genetics researcher Stephanie Mohr to create a series of black-and-white, digital pen-and-ink illustrations for First in Fly, a book exploring the outsized impact of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, on modern biology and genetics.

Used in research for over a century, this tiny organism has helped scientists uncover fundamental insights into genetics, cell behavior, immunity, and even aging—many of which translate directly to human health and disease. My illustrations were designed to support and clarify these concepts, visualizing everything from Drosophila anatomy to experimental systems in a precise, accessible style.

The book was recognized as a Smithsonian Top 10 Science Book in 2018.

I’m happy to have found ways to incorporate traditional styles in digital media. For this project, I used Adobe Illustrator to render the illustrations in a timeless, classic pen-and-ink style—with editable, vector linework for production needs.

Click on any thumbnail to see a larger view.

Anatomy of Drosophila. Illustration by Fiona Martin.
Anatomy of Drosophila. Illustration by Fiona Martin.
An illustration shows a fly-pushing station used by geneticists to study mutations in fruit flies. Flies are anesthetized with carbon dioxide, then gently poured from the vial onto the fly pad under bright white lights, where they can be viewed through the microscope. Illustration by Fiona Martin.
A fly-pushing station is used by geneticists to study mutations in fruit flies. The flies are first anesthetized with carbon dioxide, then gently poured from the vial onto the fly pad under bright white lights, where they can be viewed through the microscope. Illustration by Fiona Martin.
Gallery Image
Gallery Image
Gallery Image
Gallery Image
A black-and-white illustration of death cap mushrooms. These mushrooms contain a deadly toxin called alpha-amanitin. Researchers have found that some wild strains of Drosophila are resistant to the toxin. Illustration by Fiona Martin.
Death cap mushrooms contain a deadly toxin called alpha-amanitin. Researchers have found that some wild strains of Drosophila are resistant to the toxin. Illustration by Fiona Martin.

After the book was published, the author asked if I could create a banner for social media, and I happily obliged. The following illustration is drawn in traditional pen-and-ink using a croquille pen on illustration board.

Illustration of three fruit flies, Drosoophila melanogaster, in midair. Illustration by Fiona Martin.
Illustration of three fruit flies, Drosoophila melanogaster, in midair. Illustration by Fiona Martin.

Featured

PINK SALMON BOOM
PINK SALMON BOOM
LONGVIEW PULP MILL DISASTER
LONGVIEW PULP MILL DISASTER
HOW FORESTS CAPTURE CARBON
Illustration: Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air and turn it into sugars, using the food to grow. This process, called photosynthesis, allows plants to make their own food, storing the carbon in their tissues as they grow roots, branches and leaves. In this way, forests help fight climate change by absorbing and storing carbon pollution that is heating the planet. Big trees store the most carbon because of their mass, and long-lived species such as Douglas fir and red cedar can lock carbon away for centuries. Trees absorb carbon dioxide gas through openings in leaves or needles called stomata. Chloroplasts within leaves and needles use the energy of the sun to split water molecules drawn up through tree roots into hydrogen and oxygen, released through their stomata. Trees and other green plants create the air we breathe, and shelter and nourish life as we know it.
HOW FORESTS CAPTURE CARBON
ICE ARRESTS BY SEATTLE FIELD OFFICE
Multi-chart graphic showing that several northwest counties and municipalities saw a sharp increase in ICE arrests following the start of President Trump's second term, including King, Clark, Whatcom, and Yakima Counties in Washington; Multnomah, Marion, and Washington Counties in Oregon, and Anchorage municipality.
ICE ARRESTS BY SEATTLE FIELD OFFICE

You cannot copy content of this page