Visual storytelling makes science more accessible—and this program brought together all the pieces I needed to do that effectively.
Alison, Biomedical Visualization and Communication student
As a biomedical researcher with a PhD in tissue engineering, Alison came to realize her passion wasn’t just in the lab—it was in connecting science with people. During her PhD, she often spoke directly with patients about stem cell research and discovered a love for translating complex topics into accessible language.
This interest led her to pursue science communication opportunities, including a postdoc focused on digital health messaging during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I had built my communication skills through experience, but they were mostly self-taught,” says Alison. “I wanted formal training, especially something that combined science, communication and visuals.”
When she discovered the UBC Certificate in Biomedical Visualization and Communication, she saw the perfect next step. “It aligned exactly with what I was looking for,” she says. “The program’s distinct focus on biomedical communication through visual storytelling intrigued me—making scientific concepts accessible and engaging through imagery.”
She appreciated how collaborative and hands-on the program was. From drawing workshops to brainstorming exercises that encouraged unconventional thinking, the experience helped her build creative confidence. “I didn’t have a formal art background so learning to communicate visually in a low-pressure supportive environment was both encouraging and empowering.”
A highlight of the program was the capstone project, where Alison collaborated with a Vancouver-based biotech company to design a public-facing website, coordinating between animation and web design teams. This experience strengthened her communication and leadership skills, managing collaboration across teams and clients. “It was a purposeful culmination of everything we learned,” she says, “giving me confidence to lead communications efforts and navigate complex projects with diverse stakeholders.”
Shortly after completing the program, Alison began a new role on the Knowledge Mobilization team at the Bridge Research Consortium, a national initiative focused supporting public trust and equitable access to new vaccines and immune-based innovations. “The portfolio I built during the program was a significant part of securing this opportunity, which I am enjoying tremendously!” she says. “It's more than just securing a job, this program helped me discover something I truly love doing.”
Alison is also helping build a welcoming alumni community for the program. With few networks available, she and her cohort created a group to connect others in the field, share knowledge and support one another’s growth.
Alison hopes to continue working at the intersection of science, visual storytelling and public trust. “This program gave me the tools, structure and support to take a leap in my career,” she says. “It was exactly the bridge I needed.”
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