Abstract:
Marcelo Oliver will share his 30-year journey as a medical illustrator, charting the evolution of representation in anatomy publishing and the challenges of navigating industry expectations. His talk highlights how diversity in medical images has shifted—and why intentional, accurate representation in textbooks and educational materials matters now more than ever.
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2025 Speaker Bio:
Marcelo Oliver 
 
Marcelo Oliver is the founder and president of Body Scientific International, a global medical illustration and education company he established in 2005. A graduate of the University of Michigan’s Medical Illustration program (1992), Marcelo has spent more than 30 years creating, directing, and publishing tens of thousands of visuals used in over 100 medical and science textbooks worldwide. His career includes leadership roles as creative director at the Anatomical Chart Company, and director of marketing for medical device companies.

Throughout his career, Marcelo Oliver has been a leading voice for diversity and inclusion in medical education, from early contributions such as the Black Health Library series in 1992, to his latest achievement: publishing the first anatomy textbook that features people of color throughout. His international business experience spans Asia, South America, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. Marcelo also serves the profession through leadership roles, including board member, treasurer and current president elect of the Association of Medical Illustrators; and Advisory Committee Member for the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Biomedical Visualization program.

Moderator:
Sean McWatt, PhD