Women in Science (Ignotofsky) - Author Bio

Author Bio
• Birth—ca. 1989-90
• Where—the State of New Jersey, USA
• Education—Tyler School of Art
• Currently—lives in Kansas City, Missouri


Rachel Ignotofsky grew up in New Jersey. In 2011 she graduated with honors from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where she went to work as a graphic designer for Hallmark cards, all the while continuing her own freelance work.

In early 2015, one her projects was featured by Instagram in honor of International Women’s Day. Over the course of a few days, the post went viral, jumping from 1,500 to 43,000 viewers, and Rachel decided to quit Hallmark.

That project was "Women In Science,” featuring often unknown women who played important roles in the history of science. Just over a year later, in July of 2016, her project was published in book form—Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World. It became a New York Times bestseller.

Inspired by both science and history, Rachel has a passion for using art to make complicated, dense material accessible and engaging. She sees her work as a way to enhance learning and increase scientific literacy—and especially to spread the word that science is an open path for women. (Adapted from the author's website.)