Madison Touran

Madison (Maddie) Touran (née Hughes) is a PhD graduate from Washington University in St. Louis, where she earned her degree in 2021 in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. Today, she serves as a Staff Scientist within the Planetary Data System. Her responsibilities include managing planetary data archives for NASA and participating in mission operations for the Curiosity Rover on Mars. Her dedication to these roles supports the broader scientific effort to study and understand the diverse aspects of our solar system, ensuring valuable data is preserved and accessible for ongoing and future research.

Parallel to her scientific career, Maddie began to pursue her passion for art more seriously in 2020. Her artistic endeavors are deeply rooted in classical realism, focusing on oil portraits and figure paintings that capture the essence and complexity of human emotion and form. Maddie’s art is as a deeply personal exploration of creativity, showcasing her skill in portraying the human experience through the timeless medium of oil paint.

PhD - Washington University in St. Louis - Earth and Planetary Sciences - 2021
BS - Purdue University - Geology & Geophysics - 2016

The Portrait Show 12: Myth | Modern Eden | June 2024