Rhodium Scientific / Cornell - ISS Crew‑11 Bioprospecting Payload
Space Biotechnology · Bioprospecting · Drug Discovery · Science Communication & Branding
Brief
Rhodium Scientific’s 4th bioprospecting expedition, which was launched aboard the ISS via Crew‑11, aims to investigate novel biological compounds in microgravity for pharmaceutical innovation. At the same time, this effort from Cornell University reflects the frontier of student‑driven space science, demonstrating how academic ingenuity can push the boundaries of what’s possible in space‑based drug discovery.
The mission demanded a visual identity and communication design that could both represent the high‑tech nature of biotech in space and translate scientific ambition into media assets accessible to a broad audience.
My Roles:
Logo & Patch Designer, Brand & Visual Identity Architect, Digital & Social‑Media Content Creator, Science‑Mission Storyteller
Tools I Used:
Figma, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Adobe Acrobat, Canva, Google Workspace, Hootsuite
My Contribution
I designed the official mission patch and brand identity for the Rhodium‑Cornell payload, a striking visual emblem that references bioprospecting, molecular structure, and space exploration, bridging biotech gravity and cosmic lightness. By forging the visual identity and narrative packaging for this mission, I provided design architecture that echoes the spirit of exploration and the rigor of science. The patch acts as a flag for innovators, funders, collaborators, and curious publics. In effect, I helped translate microgravity, microbial cultures, and pharmaceutical bioprospecting into a language of icons, colors, and stories in the larger collective imagination.
Beyond the patch, I produced a suite of mission-specific communication assets- Instagram and LinkedIn graphics, press‑friendly collateral, and social media tiles that translate complex science and mission goals into compelling visuals and digestible copy. These assets captured the ethos of exploration, scientific curiosity, and hope, giving the payload a face that could resonate beyond the lab or the ISS manifest. A personal highlight was receiving a witty comment from astronaut Michael Fincke on one of the social media posts I designed- perhaps the most memorable endorsement of my work to date!
I was lucky enough to be invited to the official launch at Cape Canaveral, FL!