Sunghwan Bae

Sunghwan Bae is a medical illustrator and biomedical visualization specialist with dual training in science and art. He completed coursework for an M.F.A. in Medical Illustration at Rochester Institute of Technology, where his thesis on stem cell–derived organoids is currently under review, and he also holds an M.S. in Biological Sciences from Seoul National University (2016). His academic path reflects a deep interest in bridging biological research with effective visual communication.

Sunghwan began his career as a research associate at Seoul National University and Seoul National University Hospital, where he spent seven years conducting molecular and imaging studies while producing scientific figures and illustrations for research dissemination. This experience provided a strong foundation in both experimental methods and visual storytelling.

Currently, he is a Demonstrator at St. George’s University and previously served as a lab technician and medical illustrator at the University of Rochester. Through these roles, he has combined research, teaching, and illustration to support scientific communication across disciplines.

Over the course of his career, Sunghwan has contributed illustrations, figures, and cover artworks to more than 60 research projects and publications, helping authors present complex biomedical concepts with clarity and precision. His work has appeared in leading journals such as Nature, Developmental Cell, Cell Stem Cell, and Nature Communications.

With a background rooted in both laboratory science and fine art, Sunghwan specializes in transforming complex biomedical concepts into accurate, engaging, and accessible visuals that support both research and education.