Get to Know Me.

Hi, I’m Brittany Cheung, a biomedical communicator and visual storyteller. My process involves careful research that synthesizes information from multiple reliable sources to achieve a deep understanding of the subject. Then, I create an accurate and compelling visualization, keeping the target audience in mind to ensure the intended message is received.

I received my Master in Science in Biomedical Communication from the University of Toronto in 2021, and my Bachelor of Science in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Psychology from the University of Toronto in 2018. Throughout my studies, I took many courses and projects that focused on anatomy, animal diversity, and conservation.

I’m currently working as a freelancer, mostly for Digizyme, where I primarily work on storyboards, animation, and compositing, and BioRender, where I contribute to their library of vector icons to aid researchers in scientific communication.

If you’d like to stay in touch, please add me on LinkedIn.

Curriculum Vitae

Work Experience

2021 - present | Freelance Scientific Communicator, Digizyme, Massachusetts
2021 - present | Scientific Illustrator Contractor, BioRender, Toronto
2021 | Scientific Illustrator Intern, BioRender, Toronto
2020 | Illustrator, Toronto Notes, Toronto
2018 | Assistant Invertebrate Paleontology Lab Technician, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto
2013 - 2015 | Graphic Designer, Tough Jeans Ltd., Hong Kong

Research Experience

2016 - 2019 | Amiskwia is a large Cambrian gnathiferan with complex gnathostomulid-like jaws, University of Toronto and Royal Ontario Museum
2017 | The effect of temperature and wind direction and speed on spring migration favourability, Field Course in Ornithology, University of Ottawa

Education

2019 - 2021 | Master of Science in Biomedical Communication, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto
2013 - 2018 | Bachelor of Science in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Psychology (Honours with High Distinction), Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Toronto

Events

2021 | Workshop Leader, Celebrating 75 Years of Biomedical Communications, University of Toronto, Toronto
Led a workshop on digital painting with an emphasis on picking colour palettes and using adjustment layers and layer styles to refine and adhere to the palette.
2017 | Speaker, Canadian Paleontology Conference, Aloft Hotel, Calgary
Presented a talk on the preliminary results for the redescription of Amiskwia sagittiformis, an ancient soft-bodied organism whose affinities were previously unknown.
2016 | Presenter, The Palaeontological Association Annual Meeting, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon
Presented a poster on the preliminary results for the redescription of Amiskwia sagittiformis, an ancient soft-bodied organism whose affinities were previously unknown.

Features

2021 | BMC 75: 1945-2020: A Retrospective Catalogue Celebrating Biomedical Communications at the University of Toronto, Biomedical Communications Alumni Association, Toronto
Emperor Penguins: Breeding Season and Adaptations and Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis featured on pages 48 and 114, respectively.
2020 | BMC Feature, IMS Magazine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto

Awards

2021 | Student Award of Excellence (Student Anatomy/Pathology category), 2021 AMI Online Salon
Awarded to Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis.
2020 | Stephen Gilbert Award for Artistic Excellence in Biomedical Visualization, University of Toronto, Master of Science in Biomedical Communications
Awarded to Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis.
2020 | Student Award of Excellence (Student Molecular/Biology/Life Sciences category), 2020 AMI Online Salon
Awarded to Emperor Penguins: Breeding Season and Adaptations.
2018 | Governor General’s Silver Medal (Science) Nominee, University of Toronto
Nominated for graduating with the highest cGPA in Innis College in a science program
2018 | Principal Janet Paterson Award, University of Toronto
Awarded to the male and female Innis College students graduating with the highest cGPA
2017 | Thomas E. Bolton Award, Geological Association of Canada
Awarded for giving the best student presentation at the Canadian Paleontology Conference
2017 | J. J. Stren Scholarship, University of Toronto
Awarded to the Innis College student in the Faculty of Arts and Science with the highest cGPA in even-numbered years
2016 | University of Toronto Excellence Award, University of Toronto
Awards $6,000 to selected undergraduate students to conduct at 14-week summer research project
2015 | In-Course Scholarship in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto
Awarded to students who excel in their program of study
2015 | Hadwen-Walker Undergraduate Scholarship in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto
Awarded to an outstanding student entering their third or fourth year
2015 | Honourable Edward Blake Scholarship in Science, University of Toronto
Awarded to students who have completed three full-course equivalents in biology, botany, and/or zoology
2014 & 2016 | Later Life Learning Scholarship, University of Toronto
Awarded to Innis College students in recognition of their academic excellence
2013 | President’s Entrance Scholarship, University of Toronto
Awarded to students with a 92% or higher average at time of admission

Skills

Illustration & Design
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator

3D & Animation
Adobe After Effects
Autodesk Maya
ZBrush

Traditional
Graphite
Colour pencil
Pen & ink
Watercolour
Acrylic
Polymer clay