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Introducing Our 2026 Science Illustration Apprentice: Isabella (Isa) Melendez

July 2, 2026

Written by Lishka Arata, Director of Communications
2026 Science Illustration Apprentice, Isa Melendez on the Palomarin mist-net trail. Credit: Lishka Arata.

We’re excited to introduce you to our new Science Illustration Apprentice, Isa Melendez. Isa came to us from a Los Angeles-based video game background with a calling to develop a practice in scientific illustration and to better connect with the outside world. She is partially inspired by her little brother, who is an ecologist, and by her time in West LA College’s Conservation Class.

When asked how she wants her art to impact the world, this is what Isa said:

“I believe good art connects people to what is true. I hope my art falls into the long lineage of visual work that moves people towards action, because they are grounded in truth.”
-Isa Melendez

Isa started her position on June 22nd and will be at Point Blue for eight weeks. She recently wrapped up her first week where she explored various areas of Point Blue work and got to know the people who make it happen. For the remainder of her time, she’ll be working with various science staff to devise and complete a science illustration project that connects audiences with one or more aspects of our science.

Least Tern with chick at nest infographic. Artwork by Isa Melendez.

This year’s science illustration apprenticeship focus is bringing peer-reviewed scientific publications to life. A curated selection of key publications are provided as well as facilitated access to staff authors, associated field sites, and communication support.

Our overarching goal for this learning experience is to merge art and science towards increasing engagement in conservation concepts and actions. We aim to provide an early career scientific illustrator with meaningful knowledge, skills, and hands-on experiences in conservation science that can make a real difference in their career journey.

2026 Science Illustration Apprentice Isa Melendez meets professional illustrator Keith Hansen! Credit: Lishka Arata.

The learning goals of the apprenticeship include building skills to:

  • Explore how to represent ecological studies and conservation efforts through illustration
  • Engage target audience(s) in conservation science goals through inspiring illustration work
  • Create and successfully complete a science illustration project in collaboration with a team of communications, science, and other conservation staff

We’re so excited to have Isa as part of our team for 2 months and we’re all pumped to share what is created along the way. Follow our Instagram and Facebook accounts for updates and stay tuned for the unveiling of the final project in August!

We’re grateful to the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation for funding this position at Point Blue.

If you’d like to learn more about this position and our overall art & science, please reach out to me, Lishka Arata, at larata@pointblue.org.

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