Art in Research

PhD Thesis Cover Illustrations for researchers who want their work to be seen

Science tells a story worth discovering.

Finished your research and looking for a thesis cover illustration that actually reflects what you've discovered? PhD thesis cover illustrations for researchers, as well as illustrations for dissertations and research publications.

Feel free to browse my library below.

Curiosity is what drives me to dive into subjects as diverse as psoriasis, quantum dots, or cancer research. Every thesis cover starts with understanding the research behind it. From there, we work together to create a cover that makes complex research accessible, intriguing, and visible to the world.

If you’re a researcher with a story to tell, I’d love to hear about it!

On to more art in research!

PhD thesis cover illustration showing a green mountainous landscape inspired by research into cancer diagnostics and DNA methylation.

PhD cover — cancer research

Could science learn to stay ahead? This is what Jilke De Wilde, VIB and UGent want to find out. Imagine if we could better understand and classify cancer using DNA signals from blood and tissue samples. Like reading patterns in a marble rolling down a hill.

This PhD thesis cover illustration is based on “Epigenetic Landscape” (Waddington CH. The strategy of the genes. George Allen and Unwin Ltd. 1957) and the “trees”, inspired by an electron microscopic visualization of transcribing chromatin (Miller OL Jr, Beatty BR. Visualization of nucleolar genes. Science. 1969 May 23;164(3882):955-7).

Illustrated cover for The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, showing people alongside colourful abstract forms inspired by psoriasis research and personalised treatment.

The Lancet cover - psoriasis research

Lisa Schots investigated the use of biologics in psoriasis. At its core, her research is grounded in personalized medicine: moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach toward treatment strategies that are precisely tailored to the individual patient. The aim is to improve therapeutic outcomes while ensuring more efficient, targeted, and affordable care.

The thesis illustration was selected by the faculty to represent their ongoing research and was subsequently published as the magazine cover of The Lancet Regional Health – Europe. A special thanks to Rani Soenen for her continued trust and for helping to bring this cover art to The Lancet.

PhD thesis cover illustration combining a microscopic cell image with colourful abstract molecular forms, inspired by research into biomarkers in immuno-oncology.

PhD cover — immuno-oncology

Annabel Meireson investigated the complex interaction between biomarkers, cancer cells and the immune system in the search for more targeted treatments.

PhD thesis cover illustration showing people walking alongside a DNA-like structure and molecular forms, inspired by research into bone metabolism in men.

PhD cover — endocrinology

Bones are not dead structures, but living tissue that is constantly being broken down and rebuilt. This process is entirely controlled by the hormonal system. Charlotte Verroken researched bone health and metabolism, highlighting the dynamic processes taking place within the human skeleton.

PhD thesis cover illustration showing a person using a tablet alongside abstract medical imagery, inspired by research into therapeutic drug monitoring and personalised treatment.

PhD cover — dermatology

Skin diseases can affect anyone, at any age. When Rani Soenen investigated how therapeutic drug monitoring can help tailor psoriasis treatment, her research focused on making treatment decisions more personal and precise.

Our collaboration continued at Ghent University Hospital, where she invited me to illustrate a patient brochure designed to help people with psoriasis better understand their condition and treatment.

PhD thesis cover illustration presented as an open book, combining a blue-green landscape with scientific imagery inspired by research into renewable energy.

PhD cover — renewable energy

What if some of the building blocks of tomorrow’s solar technology were almost too small to see? Jorick Maes researched colloidal quantum dots — tiny particles with unique properties — and explored their potential in photovoltaic technology.

His work investigates how these materials could open up new possibilities for capturing solar energy.

PhD thesis cover illustration showing doctors and a patient around a knee, inspired by research into patient satisfaction after total knee arthroplasty.

PhD cover — Orthopaedic Surgery

Stefaan Van Onsem investigated patient satisfaction after knee arthroplasty, focusing on the factors that shape patients’ experiences and outcomes following knee replacement surgery.

PhD thesis cover illustration showing an older person alongside active figures and digital imagery, inspired by research into physical activity, ageing and digital health.

PhD cover — Gerontology

Iris Maes explored physical activity in older adults and how this knowledge can inform digital health interventions. For her cover design, we chose our grandmother as the older adult at its centr. She passed away that same year, making the cover a quiet tribute to her!

Illustrated research publication cover combining a human figure with an organic, AI-inspired form, exploring the relationship between artificial intelligence and the arts.

PhD cover - Artificial Intelligence

This paper explores how AI challenges our understanding of art, creativity, and human expression, questioning where human creativity ends and machine creativity begins.

International publications