Meredith Willmott, a PhD student at the University of Arizona, identifies as both a scientist and an artist. While numerous people have told her that she needs to "pick one," she refuses. "I've never felt like I really have to. I use one to understand the other."

In the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Willmott's research focuses on the relationship between ants and hemipterans. Hemipterans are an order of insects comprising over 80,000 species. Some examples include leafhoppers, cicadas, and aphids — the last of which Willmott works with most often.

As for art forms, Willmott is a scientific illustrator and knitter. "Science illustration is a really valuable outreach tool for helping people visualize the beauty and processes they might not be eye-to-eye with every single day," said Willmott. Jack Newman, one of Willmott's research assistants, added that, "If you have a nice picture, then it's easier to get people to wanna look at your work."

Knitting, on the other hand, captures people in a completely different way. "It offers people this tactile, sort of interpersonal way to engage with the insect world," said Willmott. "Especially through clothes and fashion, which are typically not thought of as tools for science outreach."