Profile

Tawatha T. Elguero

Based in Oslo, Norway.

Contact: collab.tawatha@proton.me

Instagram

I create research-led visuals that make biological structures, ecological relationships, and environmental processes clear and engaging.

I work with researchers, conservationists, and environmental organisations to translate scientific knowledge into visual narratives that support the understanding, restoration, and protection of ecosystems and nature.

Background

My background combines self-directed study with formal training in scientific illustration through specialised courses, and the Illustraciencia Academy. I have worked with students, researchers, and environmental organisations, including the Roots & Shoots educational program of the Jane Goodall Institute in Spain.

Since 2018, I have been active in citizen science, contributing species observations across Europe through iNaturalist and supporting research projects through Zooniverse. I am also a member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators and DNT: The Norwegian Trekking Association.

Testimonials

“Ms. Elguero’s work is always carried out with great professionalism, commitment, attention to detail, talent, and care, which is evident in the final results.”

Marisa Mariñán, Coordinator of Roots & Shoots, Jane Goodall Institute Spain

”As a primatologist and researcher, I deeply value Tawatha’s work and perspective as a scientific illustrator. She has a remarkable ability to combine scientific rigor with artistic sensitivity, creating illustrations that are not only beautiful, but also meaningful and highly effective for science communication. Over the years, I have always been impressed by her professionalism, curiosity, and genuine passion for nature and science. I specially appreciate people capable of building such a strong bridge between art and science.”

Dr. Miquel Llorente

Director, Master’s Degree in Scientific Illustration in Natural Sciences, Universitat de Girona

Director, Master’s Degree in Primatology, Universitat de Barcelona

“I came across Tawatha’s work by chance, and it was an amazing find. I needed highly specific hyperrealistic illustrations for a scientific article, and the result exceeded all my expectations. Even though the subjects were almost indistinguishable from one another, she captured each individual’s uniqueness perfectly while staying in close contact with me throughout the process for feedback. She was an abdolute pleasure to work with.”

Carla Pascual, Primatologist, UdG (Universidad de Girona)

Skills

Visual Communication
Scientific Illustration
Graphics
Research & Information Synthesis
Ecological Storytelling
Field Observation
Creativity and Innovation

Software

Adobe Creative Suite
QGIS
Blender

Tawatha T. Elguero

Scientific Illustration

Visual Communication

Making the
Invisible Visible

Revealing the structures, processes, and relationships
of the natural world through scientific illustration, and
visual communication.

Field Notes

Blog

CS-5

Vaquita Marina
Phocoena sinus
Conservation
Ongoing collaboration · 2022–present

Revealing the biology and conservation challenges of one of the world’s most endangered marine mammals through scientific illustration.

Collaboration

Julia Rouaux
PhD Natural Sciences
Scientific illustrator
Argentina

Vaquita Marina
Phocoena sinus
Scientific illustration · Conservation
Collaboration with Julia Rouaux
Digital painting · Information design
International
2022–present

Context

The vaquita marina (Phocoena sinus) is the world’s smallest porpoise and one of the most endangered marine mammals on Earth. Its range is limited to the Upper Gulf of California, Mexico. Only a handful of individuals remain, with 2025 monitoring efforts estimating approximately ∽10 vaquitas observed.

The main threat to the species is bycatch in illegal gillnets set for totoaba, an endangered fish whose swim bladder is highly valued on black markets. Despite the severe decline, conservation efforts continue to protect the remaining animals and support population recovery.

This project explores how visual communication can support awareness and conservation efforts by making its anatomy, biology, and threats more accessible.

Research & Development

I began this project in 2022 as an ongoing collaboration with Julia Rouaux, PhD in Natural Sciences and scientific illustrator, who has supervised me throughout the process to help ensure the accuracy of the data and information used in this project.

The project is ongoing. So far, I have reconstructed the skull and developed preliminary infographics on the species’ anatomy and conservation status, with further educational material still to come.

Close-up of a Vaquita skull study in pencil, showing tonal development - 2022. Tawatha T. Elguero

Research has been challenging because the population is extremely small and skeletal material is scarce. Some cranial elements, including the teeth and zygomatic arch, were missing from available references, so we contacted a vertebrate collection in Mexico to request additional specimen photographs.

Process view of a Vaquita skull illustration in development, showing digital rendering in PS alongside specimen reference - 2022. Tawatha T. Elguero

Visual Approach

The illustrations balances scientific accuracy with a clear visual narrative, combining anatomical information and conservation storytelling.

Illustration of a vaquita marina (Phocoena sinus) mother and calf - 2022. Tawatha T. Elguero

Vaquita skull final rendering:

Final rendered skull of a vaquita marina (Phocoena sinus). Mixed media — scientific illustration
by Tawatha T. Elguero, 2022.

Research sources

Special thanks to The Vertebrate Collection of the Natural History Museum of Mexico,
and to Dr. Sandra Martínez for their generous support and for providing the photographic reference material that made this part of the reconstruction possible.

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