Hello! I’m Brittany Cheung, a scientific illustrator, designer, and animator.

I am a visual storyteller with a love of all things related to biology, particularly zoology, ecology, and paleontology. 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.

I am a member of the Association of Medical Illustrators, the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, and the Southern Ontario Nature and Science Illustrators.

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

2024 | Juried Member’s Exhibit, Guild of Natural Science Illustrators
Emperor Penguins: Breeding Season and Adaptations and Sandpiper on Lilypads
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