Michael Gruber is an Austrian biologist and a freelancing natural science illustrator. His work combines artistic creativity with scientific knowledge to produce highly detailed illustrations of the micro- and macrofauna. He studied ecology at the University of Vienna and has a PhD degree from the University of Salzburg in evolutionary biology (taxonomy and systematics) with a strong focus on microscopy and marine plankton. Michael contributed to several projects of different institutions (Universities, Museums, etc.) and is specialised in pen and ink. His work is published in books, journal articles, educational movies, illustrated charts, and exhibitions.