Steven Christian, a third-year MD/Ph.D. student at the ҹɫÊÓƵ School of Medicine (UNR Med) is revolutionizing health care education with an unexpected tool; a comic book series about adorable characters battling bacteria. "" Christian’s project, aims to make medical information more accessible and engaging — particularly for Black communities that have historically been underserved by traditional health communication. The project explores dermatological science, focusing on how factors like C. acnes bacteria and inflammation affect darker skin tones.
The comic follows Nimbus, a stuffed animal who comes to life and battles bacteria on a fictional island. Each character represents a different approach to skincare - some pop pimples, some research treatments, others do nothing at all. Through their journey, readers learn about bacterial infections, skin health and the importance of proper care.
"Most people don't understand that 80-90% of acne is caused by a single bacterium," Christian explained. “This comic helps break that down in a way that’s fun and easy to understand.”
Christian, a scientist and storyteller, created the series to bridge health literacy gaps through culturally relevant, engaging content. This summer, he will release the first augmented reality-enabled book in the series, aiming to fill the void of cute Black representation while addressing serious health issues.
“I wanted to create something that fills the void of cute Black representation while addressing serious health issues,” he said. “There aren't many resources that combine cultural resonance with science education in such an accessible way. By creating a cute, engaging story, we can teach complex health information in a way that's actually fun to learn.
"If I can help people internalize important health information through a character-driven story, then I've done my job," Christian said. "It's about giving people an opportunity to reclaim their health agency."
Blending illustration and introspection, Steven Christian reimagines childhood games as tools for deeper connection.So far, “Cütie Catcherz” has produced 98 sticker designs, an animated sequence, and a 300-page graphic novel script. Christian envisions expanding the brand into plush toys, books, and potentially even a streaming series.
“It’s not just a comic,” he said. “It’s a new way of thinking about health education.”
