James Perkins
Department Head of Medical Sciences, Health and Management
Department of Medical Sciences, Health, and Management
College of Health Sciences and Technology
Program Director of Graduate Medical Illustration
585-475-2443
Office Location
Office Mailing Address
153 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, NY 14623
James Perkins
Department Head of Medical Sciences, Health and Management
Department of Medical Sciences, Health, and Management
College of Health Sciences and Technology
Program Director of Graduate Medical Illustration
Education
BA, Cornell University; MFA, Rochester Institute of Technology; ABD, University of Rochester
Bio
- Joined RIT in 1998
- Sole illustrator or significant contributor to 47 textbooks or reference texts and contributing illustrator to 37 others
- Author or co-author of ten scholarly articles featured in the Journal of Biocommunication, and Scientific American
- Work has been featured in exhibitions across the US and internationally
- Recipient of the British Medical Association Illustrated Book Award and the Award of Excellence, Illustrated Book Award from the Association of Medical Illustrators
- One of seven finalists internationally for the Giliola Gamberini Award from the Association Européenne des Illustrateurs Médicaux et Scientifiques and the University of Bologna
- Illustrated three book covers and 25 magazine covers, including the Pathologic Basis of Veterinary Disease, Case Studies in Oncology, HER2 in Oncology, and Advances in Glioma Therapy
- Provided illustrations for 50 peer-reviewed journal articles including Science and Medicine, the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Biophotonics International, and the Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics
- Led initial accreditation process of graduate medical illustration program by the Association of Medical Illustrators
- Fellow of the Association of Medical Illustrators
Select Scholarship
National/International Competition Award Winner
Perkins, James. Association of Medical Illustrators. Award of Merit. Phoenix, AZ, 2021.
Perkins, James A. Association Europeenne des Illustrateurs Medicaux et Scientifiques and Maastricht University. Giliola Gamberini Award (finalist). Maastricht, The Netherlands, NL, 2017.
Perkins, James A. Association Europeenne des Illustrateurs Medicaux et Scientifiques and the University of Bologna. Giliola Gamberini Award. Bologna, Italy, 2015.
Full Length Book
Felten, David L., et al. Netter's Atlas of Neuroscience. 4 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier, 2021. Print.
Kumar, Vinay, et al. Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 10 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier, 2020. Print.
Kumar, Vinay, et al. Robbins Essential Pathology. 1 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier, 2020. Print.
Journal Paper
Brodell, James D., et al. "Deltoid-Spring Ligament Reconstruction in Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity With Medial Peritalar Instability." Foot & Ankle International 40. 7 (2019): 753-761. Print.
Punekar, Imran R. A., et al. "Redefining the rectus sheath: Implications for abdominal wall repair." Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 141. 2 (2018): 473-479. Print.
Riddle, R. Scott, et al. "Retopologizing MRI and Diffusion Tensor Tractography Datasets for Real-Time Interactivity." Journal of Biocommunication 39. 1 (2013): E18-E25. Web.
Shows/Exhibits/Installations
Perkins, James A. Images From Science 3. 1-28 Nov. 2019. RIT City Art Space, Rochester, NY. Exhibit.
Perkins, James A. Visualize: Art Revealing Science. 2018. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Washington, DC. Exhibit.
Perkins, James. School of Netter: The "Michelangelo of Medicine" and His Legacy. Apr. 2014. NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY. Exhibit.
Invited Keynote/Presentation
Perkins, Jim. "What’s The Point? The Use of Arrows in Scientific Illustration." 2017 Annual Conference. Association of Medical Illustrators. Austin, TX. 26 Jul. 2017. Conference Presentation.
Perkins, James. "Frank Netter and Me: Following in the Footsteps of the World's Greatest Medical Illustrator." Joseph McCullough Center for the Visual Arts. Cleveland Institute of Art. Cleveland, OH. 28 Mar. 2014. Lecture.
Perkins, James. "Molecular Illustration." Joseph McCullough Center for the Visual Arts. Cleveland Institute of Art. Cleveland, OH. 28 Mar. 2014. Lecture.
Formal Presentation
Perkins, Jim. “Adobe Illustrator Tips and Tricks.” Branching Out, Always Growth: Association of Medical Illustrators Annual Conference. Portland, OR. 28 July 2010. Presentation.
Published Article
Perkins, Jim.Illustrations for “Pharmacogenetics:A Tool for Identifying Variation in Drug Dependence and Treatment.” National Institutes of Health:Addiction Science andClinical Practice, 5.2. (2010). 17-29. Web.
Published Book
Illustrations for Damjanov, I. Pathology for the Health Professions. Elsevier, Inc. 2010. Print.
Currently Teaching
ILLM-501
Human Gross Anatomy
6 Credits
An in-depth study of the structure of the human body. Emphasis is on understanding the relationships between anatomical structures as well as their form, texture, and color. Dissection of a human cadaver is supplemented with lectures on the structure and function of the major organ systems.
ILLM-508
Scientific Visualization
3 Credits
Emerging technologies enable scientists to visualize structures that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye. For example, molecular visualization software allows us to construct highly accurate molecular models from X-ray crystallography and other structural data. Cryo-EM and confocal microscopy are revealing the previously unknown structure of cellular organelles. Medical imaging systems allow us to reconstruct the human body in three dimensions from actual patient data (CT scans, MRI, etc.). This course explores the use of these technologies to provide references for traditional artwork and to export models for digital rendering and animation.
ILLM-599
Medical Illustration Independent Study
1 - 6 Credits
Medical Illustration Independent Study will provide students with the ability to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. Students, with the assistance of a faculty adviser will propose a course of study. Medical Illustration Independent Study students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll.
ILLM-601
Human Gross Anatomy
6 Credits
This course provides an in-depth study of the structure of the human body. Emphasis is on understanding the relationships between anatomical structures as well as their form, texture, and color. Dissection of a human cadaver is supplemented with lectures on the structure and function of the major organ systems.
ILLM-608
Scientific Visualization
3 Credits
Emerging technologies enable scientists to visualize structures that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye. For example, molecular visualization software allows us to construct highly accurate molecular models from x-ray crystallography and other structural data. Cryo-EM and confocal microscopy are revealing the previously unknown structure of cellular organelles. Medical imaging systems allow us to reconstruct the human body in three dimensions from actual patient data (CT scans, MRI, etc.). This course explores the use of these technologies to provide references for traditional artwork and to export models for digital rendering and animation.
ILLM-612
Surgical Illustration
3 Credits
Students observe and sketch live surgical procedures at a local hospital. After further background research, students translate their sketches into finished illustrations that are used in medical training, patient education, and litigation. Demonstrations of sketching and rendering techniques are supplemented with lectures on general surgical principles and common procedures.
ILLM-890
Thesis
1 - 14 Credits
Students conduct background research and create a body of artwork on a contemporary medical topic. The artwork is exhibited during one of several graduate thesis shows or during a screening of digital animation and interactive works. The thesis culminates with the production of a written thesis paper that documents the process of creating the work.
ILLM-891
Continuation of Thesis
0 Credits
The Continuation of Thesis course provides students additional semester(s) to complete their thesis research, project, and thesis document
MEDS-490
Human Gross Anatomy
4 Credits
This course exposes students to details of human anatomy through cadaver dissection. Lecture material stresses functional and clinical correlates corresponding to laboratory exercises.
In the News
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February 14, 2025
Graduate student creates educational guide about chemotherapy side effects for Colorado children’s hospital
Cancer-free for nearly 20 years, RIT graduate student Bryona Hamilton seeks to educate patients, survivors, and family members about potential chemotherapy side effects that can occur decades after treatment.