Cranberry Lake Biological Station
SCIENTIFIC ILLUSTRATOR FELLOWSHIP
About the Program
Begun in 2023, this program seeks to engage a broader group of individuals in the ecological research conducted at CLBS. Collaborations between artists and scientists are increasing the quality of public engagement and the accessibility of the research being conducted. The cross-pollination of thoughts and ideas that comes from the incorporation of different academic and personal backgrounds can often lead to synergistic outcomes. This can lead to better research, more informed artistic representations, and increased community engagement.
The faculty and staff at CLBS are excited to provide scientific guidance and education to the interns. Interns will work with a faculty mentor who will help to advise and guide the intern throughout the summer, both in person and remotely. Interns will also have the opportunity to engage in a variety of courses offered at the station to inform their projects and to generally increase their knowledge of the area’s flora and fauna. Since the Fellowship is geared toward providing illustrators with a deeper scientific understanding, a strong illustration background is desired prior to the Fellowship.
The Fellowship
Eligibility: The fellowship is open to all individuals over 18.
Dates: Up to 12 weeks (8 weeks at the Cranberry Lake Campus, and 4 weeks remote) with a flexible start date in late May or early June.
Expectations: The selected candidate will work with faculty to complete the following:
- Line art and full illustrations of at least 50 lichen species
- Editorial design and composition of guide
- Intern will not be responsible for generating text for the manuals
Compensation: This Fellowship will cover the cost of room and board for the duration of your stay (the equivalent of $3,800) and $375/week honorarium for up to 12 weeks, and up to $1,000 for a travel allowance.
Application Process: Application details are below, if your application is selected you may be asked to meet for a brief conversation via zoom with the selection committee.
Applications will be accepted from November 15th, 2025 to February 15th, 2026
Meet the 2026 Fellow
I’m Maureen Kahn, and I’m an artist and science illustrator living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The scientific lens through which I view the world was developed during my undergraduate education in geology at Carleton College and masters degree in geoscience at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Observing, learning, and communicating visually about the natural world has remained a passion of mine as I have shifted towards a career in illustration. In 2025, I completed a certificate in science illustration from the California State University Monterey Bay, where I first began observing mosses. It has been a privilege and a joy to continue learning about moss and expanding my skills during my time at the Cranberry Lake Biological Station. For me there’s hardly anything better than traipsing about in the woods and getting close to the ground to examine the moss (and find the salamanders). Translating my observations through art, I hope to share the knowledge I’ve gained and the delight in getting to know the diverse world underfoot.
Past Scientific Illustrator Fellows
2025
Amanda Casanovas - Fungi of The Adirondacks Field Guide
2024
Valeria Chiarini - Cranberry Lake Biological Station Field Guide
2023
Feimo Zhu - Zooplankton of Cranberry Lake
Remi Jose - Forest Health at Cranberry Lake