I'm Menelia Vasilopoulou-Kampitsi, a scientific illustrator with a PhD in biology.
I am a freelance scientific illustrator specializing in turning complex anatomy, behavior, and biomechanics into accurate, visually engaging images.
My journey began in research. After training as a biologist in Greece and France, I completed a PhD in Functional Ecology at the University of Antwerp, where I studied the maneuverability and inner-ear anatomy of lizards. It was during this doctorate that I truly discovered the power of visual communication—realizing that a clear illustration often says far more than a full page of text.
Driven by this passion, I completed an intensive scientific illustration program in Spain in 2019. Since 2020, I have operated as a freelance illustrator, collaborating closely with researchers, veterinarians, and publishers. My past collaborations include prestigious institutions such as the CNRS Station de Primatologie, the ADÉS laboratory at Aix-Marseille Université, the University of Antwerp, and the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in Paris.
COLLABORATIONS
2012 Bachelor in Science
- Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Crete, Greece
Covers:
- Etudier les primates, Joanna M. Setchell (2024). No ledge Editions
- Journal of Anatomy, issue of July 2019 (Volume 235).
- Thys, B. 2021. Integrating female competition within a multivariate and life history framework. Behavioural Ecology & Ecophysiology, University of Antwerp.
- Vasilopoulou-Kampitsi M. 2020. Manoeuvrability and the anatomy of the inner ear in lacertid lizards. Functional Morphology, University of Antwerp.
- Perrone. F, 2019. Contribution of rare genetic variants to the complex etiology of neurodegenerative brain diseases. VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, Biomedical sciences, University of Antwerp.
Illustrations in:
- Grimaud-Hervé, D., Berillon, G., Ingicco, T., Marchal, F., Prat, S., Vialet, A., & Bon, C. (2026). Toute l'évolution humaine : Des premiers primates aux humains actuels. (Chapters 3,4,5&6). Dunod.
- Masson S., Bleuer-Elsner S., Lacoste M., Muller G., (2025). Psychiatrie vétérinaire du chat. NoLedge Editions.
- Druelle, F., Abourachid, A., Vasilopoulou-Kampitsi, M., Aerts, P. (2023). Convergence of Bipedal Locomotion: Why Walk or Run on Only Two Legs. In: Bels, V.L., Russell, A.P. (eds) Convergent Evolution. Fascinating Life Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-11441-0_14
- Masson S., Bleuer-Elsner S., Muller G., Médam T., (2023). Psychiatrie vétérinaire du chien. NoLedge Editions.
- Baeckens S. (2019). Evolution of animal chemical communication: Insights from non-model species and phylogenetic comparative methods. Belgian Journal of Zoology. 149, 63–93.
- Druelle, F., Berthet, M. & Quintard, B. (2019). The body center of mass in primates: Is it more caudal than in other quadrupedal mammals? Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 169, 170–178.
- Druelle, F., Goyens, J., Vasilopoulou-Kampitsi, M. & Aerts, P (2019). Small vertebrates running on uneven terrain: a biomechanical study of two differently specialized lacertid lizards. Scientific Reports. 9, 16858.
- Vasilopoulou-Kampitsi, M., Goyens, J., Van Damme, R. & Aerts, P. (2019). The ecological signal on the shape of the lacertid vestibular system : simple versus complex microhabitats. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 127, 260-277.
- Vasilopoulou-Kampitsi, M., Goyens, J., Van Damme, R. & Aerts, P. (2019). Habitat use and vestibular system’s dimensions in lacertid lizards. Journal of Anatomy. 235, 1–14.
- Sebastiano M. (2018). Stress and herpes infections in the frigate bird Fregata magnificens, an experimental physiological approach. PhD thesis. Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp.
Education
2016-2020 PhD
- Manoeuvrability and inner ear anatomy of lacertid lizards: an Ecological approach. Functional morphology lab, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp.
2019
- Introduction to the art of science: scientific illustration (2019). Transmitting science.
2015 Master's in Science
- “Sciences of the Universe, Environment, Ecology” (SDUEE); Ecology, Biodiversity, Evolution (EBE), UPMC, Paris, France.
