About CK

Cara Gormally (they/them) —CK— is a cartoonist, professor, and therapist. CK’s narrative nonfiction comics remix autobiographical stories with research about socio-scientific issues to make science relatable. Their comics have appeared in the Washington Post, Mutha Magazine, Spiralbound, and other places. Their debut graphic memoir, Everything is Fine, I’ll Just Work Harder, a story about an unexpected healing journey to come home to themself, debuted in 2025 from Street Noise Books. A DC metro area resident, CK is an avid morning person, loves nerdy research deep dives, and has more questions than answers. Kittens; graphic novels; iced coffee all year; and time with their kid and family of blood and love are a few of their favorite things.

A professor at Gallaudet University, in Washington, D.C., CK is fascinated by questions about belonging. Their interdisciplinary research focuses on questions related to making science relevant and accessible to increase students' belonging in STEM. CK studied philosophy at St. John’s College where they first became fascinated with questions about the ecology of home and belonging. CK earned a Ph.D. at the University of Georgia. CK has been honored to receive grants, fellowships, and artist residencies from the National Science Foundation, Playa Art & Science, and the American Association of University Women, and more.

After their own healing journey, CK became increasingly fascinated with nervous systems and belonging. CK earned an MSW from Gallaudet. They completed clinical internships at Heartwerq and Whitman Walker, a major LGBTQ+ community health care organization in Washington, D.C. Currently, they are completing advanced Somatic Experiencing training. Licensed in Maryland and D.C., CK is honored to support clients at Godfrey-Smith Counseling & Gender Care.

Selected Press & Work 

Author interview | Publishers Weekly

Illustrated interview about CK Gormally’s creative process | Spiralbound

An interview with CK Gormally | Autobiographix

Biology professor is drawn to creating comics | Gallaudet Today

Making science more inclusive | Wall Street Journal

Research | Google Scholar & ResearchGate
Comics |Instagram @cara_gormally
Contact | cara.gormally at gmail.com

I love to Give talks & Workshops

I enjoy meeting with classes, community organizations, and book clubs for talks and workshops. Topics include:

• Harnessing the power of comics to tell our most challenging stories

• Finding our way home to ourselves after trauma: my story

• Using biology and comics to challenge misconceptions about fight, flight, and freeze in sexual assault

• Integrating research and comics to make science relevant

• Daily rituals of compassion to support ourselves while making comics, and more

Reach out & Let’s talk