Valerie Altounian is a science illustrator currently residing in Rochester, NY after time in Washington, DC and Austin, TX. After receiving her BFA in Medical Illustration in 2013 from Rochester Institute of Technology, she began work as a Senior Scientific Illustrator for the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which publishes the print-and-online journal Science, and several online sister journals. In 2023, Val joined Cognition Studio as a Senior Medical Animator + Illustrator.

Through hundreds of illustrations and graphics, Val has learned to speak the languages of both scientists and artists, and find the delicate balance between clarity and quantity of information.

Being able to efficiently research, digest, and problem-solve any topic is vital to her daily operations. Often, a project will not only require learning new scientific information, but also new technical skills or artistic media in order to create the right visual.

With first-hand access to the newest research, she is often tasked with visualizing that which has never been seen before.

To learn more about my creative process, please browse the collection of my contributions to the Science Visuals blog:

Poring over the past July 2022

Revealing the spike's real shape December 2020

COVID: a visual library August 2020

Figure it out: motion capture for 3D illustration December 2019

The brain, alight: illustrating for a family of journals January 2019

Making the graphene quasicrystals cover August 2018

Revealing chromatin July 2017

Visualizing scientist migrations May 2017

Synthetic yeast chromosomes March 2017

From plot to finish November 2015

Select awards:

Award of Excellence

• Association of Medical Illustrators

2022: Filling the Gaps. Science

• Society for News Design

2019: An Organ Under Attack. Science

Premiere Award

• BioCommunications Association

2022: Building the Nuclear Pore Complex. Science

EXCEL Gold in Journal Cover Design

• Association Media and Publishing

  2016: MAVEN at Mars. Science

Image of Distinction

• BioCommunications Association

  2021: Finding the Best Shot. Science

Award of Merit

• Association of Medical Illustrators

  2022: Predicting Structures. Science

  2021: DIY Vaccines. Science

  2017: Synthetic Chromosomes. Science

• BioCommunications Association

  2021: Predicting Structures. Science

Malofiej Bronze in Print News Infographics

• Spanish Chapter, Society for News Design

  2018 : A Spinner’s Secret. Science