James Perkins Headshot

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
japfaa@rit.edu
585-475-2443
Office Location
CBT-2129
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

japfaa@rit.edu
585-475-2443
Personal Links
Personal Website
Areas of Expertise
Medical Illustration
Biomedical Communications
Scientific Visualization
Molecular Visualization
Medical Publishing
Human Anatomy

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.
Perkins, James, et al. British Medical Association. Illustrated Medical Book Award. London, UK, 2012.
Perkins, James, et al. British Medical Association. Illustrated Medical Book Award. London, UK, 2012.
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.
Hall, John E., Michael E. Hall, and James Perkins (illustrator). Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology. 14 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier, 2020. Print.
Chabner, Davi-Ellen and James Perkins (illustrator). The Language of Medicine. 12 ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier, 2020. Print.
Srinivasan, Jayashri, et al. Netter's Neurology. 3 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier, 2019. Print.
Kumar, Vinay, et al. Robbins and Kumar Basic Pathology. 10 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders/Elsevier, 2017. Print.
Hall, John E. and James A. Perkins (illustrator). Pocket Companion to Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology. 13 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders, 2015. Print.
Hall, John E. and James A. Perkins (illustrator). Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology. 13 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders, 2015. Print.
Felten, David L., et al. Netter's Atlas of Neuroscience. 3 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier, 2015. Print.
Kumar, Vinay, et al. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier, 2014. Print.
Conti, C. Richard, Frank H. Netter (illustrator), and James Perkins (illustrator). The Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations, Vol. 8 - Cardiovascular System. 2 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders, 2014. Print.
Perkins, Jim, et al. Robbins Basic Pathology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier, 2013. Print.
Perkins, Jim and Davi-Ellen Chabner. The Language of Medicine. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier, 2013. Print.
Perkins, Jim, et al. The Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations Vol. 7, Part II - Nervous System - Spinal Cord and Peripheral Motor and Sensory Systems. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier, 2013. Print.
Perkins, Jim, et al. The Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations Vol. 7, Part I - Nervous System - The Brain. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier, 2013. Print.
Perkins, Jim, Joseph Ianotti, and Richard Parker. The Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations Vol. 6, Part III - Musculoskeletal System - Biology and Systemic Diseases. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier, 2013. Print.
Perkins, Illus. Jim, Christopher Kelly, and Jaime Landman. The Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations, Vol. 5 - Urinary System. 2 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders/Elsevier, 2012. Print.
Perkins, Illus. Jim, Joseph Ianotti, and Richard Parker. The Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations, Vol. 6 - Musculoskeletal System (Part I - Upper Limb). 2 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders/Elsevier, 2012. Print.
Perkins, Illus. Jim, James Zachary, and M. Donald McGavin. Pathologic Basis of Veterinary Disease. 5 ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby/Elsevier, 2012. Print.
Perkins, Illus. Jim and Davi Ellen Chabner. Medical Terminology: A Short Course. 6 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders/Elsevier, 2012. Print.
Perkins, Jim, illus., Roger P. Smith, MD, and Paul Turek, MD. The Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations, Vol. 1 - Reproductive System. 2 ed. Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier, 2011. Print.
Perkins, Jim, illus. and William F. Young, MD. The Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations, Vol. 2 - Endocrine System. 2 ed. Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier, 2011. Print.
Perkins, Jim and David Kaminsky, MD. The Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations, Vol. 3 - Respiratory System. 2 ed. Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier, 2011. Print.
Perkins, Jim, illus., Todd Florin, MD, and Stephen Ludwig, MD. Netter's Pediatrics. 1 ed. Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier, 2011. Print.
Perkins, Jim, illus. and Ivan Damjanov, MD, PhD. Pathology for the Health Professions. 4 ed. Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier, 2011. Print.
Perkins, Illus. Jim, et al. Netter's Neurology. 2 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders/Elsevier, 2011. Print.
illus., Jim Perkins,, et al. Netter's Neurology. 2 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders/Elsevier, 2011. 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.
Perkins, Jim. "Real Professionals Calibrate Their Computer Screens. Do You?" Symbiartic blog of Scientific American. January 9 (2012): NA. Web.
Perkins, Jim. "Gamma and White Point Explained: How to Calibrate Your Monitor." Symbiartic blog of Scientific American. January 17 (2012): NA. Web.
Perkins, Jim. "Dots, Spots, and Pixels: What's In A Name?" Symbiartic Blog of Scientific American." Symbiartic blog of Scientific American. May 14 (2012): NA. Web.
Perkins, Jim. "Illustrating Atoms and Molecules." Journal of Natural Science Illustration. Nov. 2011 (2011): 15-20. 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.
Perkins, Jim. Robbins Basic Pathology. Jul. 2012. Association of Medical Illustrators 67th Annual Salon, Toronto. Exhibit.
Perkins, Jim. Robbins Basic Pathology. Jul. 2012. Association of Medical Illustrators 67th Annual Salon, Toronto. Exhibit.
Perkins, Jim. Illustrators 2011. By Jim Perkins, Bill Finewood, and Chris Lyons. Jan. 2011. The Donald F. and Maxine B. Davison Gallery, Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester, NY. Exhibit.
Perkins, Jim. Anatomy of an Image, 23rd Congress of the Association Europeenne des Illustrateurs Medicaux et Scientifiques. Nov. 2011. Faculty of Medicine, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France. Exhibit.
Perkins, Jim. Proper Placement of Avalon Laboratories Life Support Catheter. Jul. 2011. Association of Medical Illustrators 66th Annual Salon, Baltimore, MD. 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-512
Surgical Illustration
3 Credits
Students observe live surgical procedures and 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-517
Portfolio and Business Practices
3 Credits
This course will prepare students to enter the workforce in fulltime positions or as freelance illustrators. Students will create a portfolio, personal identity package, and marketing materials. The course content will introduces students to business concepts such as copyright, licensing, pricing, contracts, taxation, and formation of a proper business.
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-607
Computer Applications in Medical Illustration
3 Credits
Students will learn to use industry-standard raster and vector illustration software to create images based on independent research of medical topics. Students will also use page layout applications to combine digital images with text and other graphic elements. Coursework emphasizes creation of illustrations to support medical education and publishing.
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-617
Portfolio and Business Practices
3 Credits
This course helps prepare students to enter the workforce in full-time positions or as freelance illustrators. Students create a traditional portfolio, personal identity package, and marketing materials. The course also introduces important business concepts such as copyright, licensing, pricing, contracts, taxation, and formation of a proper business.
ILLM-799
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 advisor 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-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-280
Laboratory Teaching Assistant
1 - 3 Credits
This course provides students the opportunity to learn by teaching, as they assist the laboratory instructor in facilitating student learning.
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

  • August 3, 2020

    professor looking at laptop.

    RIT faculty gearing up to apply spring learnings to fall classes

    The unexpected transition to remote learning during the spring semester challenged faculty across RIT to experiment, create, and deploy new methods of instruction to ensure student success. As the university gears up for in-person and online classes—or a combination of both—faculty members are applying a wide range of lessons learned from the spring to keep academic momentum moving forward in the fall.

  • May 8, 2020

    professor posing at desk with certifications and degrees in the background and a human skeleton.

    James Perkins wins Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching

    RIT Professor James Perkins ’92 MFA (medical illustration) has won the trifecta of RIT honors—this year adding an Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching and Distinguished Professor to his 2015-2016 Trustees Scholarship Award.  

More News

Featured Work

Bovine pneumonia (textbook cover)

James Perkins

Cover design for the 4th edition of Pathologic Basis of Veterinary Disease. The illustration shows the pathology of bovine pneumonia. Created in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.

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