Opening Keynote! Drawing the Line-Exploring AI in medical illustration

Shm Garanganao Almeda, Artist, Computer Scientist and Creativity Researcher

Generative AI and creative work–Shm opens the day’s conversation with the fundamental questions: how is generative AI changing creative work and what should we do about it? From reshaping creative processes to expanding what is possible and transforming the role of the practitioner, GenAI is changing what we create and how we create it. This talk explores how we can respond with intention–embracing new possibilities while making deliberate choices about the tools, practices, and creative communities we want to build.

Shm ("shim") Garanganao Almeda is currently imagining new encounters with cultural collections as a postdoctoral fellow at the Smithsonian–but they were recently spotted researching the intersection of human-computer interaction and artificial intelligence (HCI+AI) in UC Berkeley's Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (EECS) PhD program with Adobe Research and the Midjourney Storytelling Lab; teaching Creative Programming & Electronics at the Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation; pushing new paradigms of puppetry as a Stochastic Labs resident, and driving two rabbits across the U.S. to New York City.

📅 Saturday, November 21, 2026

⏰ 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

📍 The Conference Centre University of Toronto, 89 Chestnut Street, Toronto

Early-bird registration deadline: October 16. General $125 CAD; Student $50 CAD

https://uoft.me/DTL-keynote-speakers

Hosted by the Master of Science in Biomedical Communications with the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto.

Introducing our industry panelists! Drawing the Line-Exploring AI in medical illustration

Industry specialists–from studio leaders to sole practitioners–will discuss the perceptions and operational implications of AI in biomedical visualization. From client demands and legal restrictions to in-house experiments and creative problem-solving, the conversation will evolve through varying topics, including those proposed by registrants.

Panelists

Kevin Millar–Global Head of Creative Services, Red Nucleus
Katie McCormack–Partner & Co-owner, Bridgeable
Azuravesta Rastan–Founder, Biophile Media | Freelance Medical Illustrator
Jason Sharpe–President, AXS Biomedical Animation Studio
Desmond Ballance–Director, Veterinary Affairs, LifeLearn Animal Health

Moderator

Stephen Mader–President, Artery Studios Inc. | Faculty, University of Toronto

Symposium

📅 Saturday, November 21, 2026
⏰ 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
📍 The Conference Centre University of Toronto, 89 Chestnut Street, Toronto

Early-bird registration deadline: October 16

General $125 CAD; Student $50 CAD

https://uoft.me/dtl-schedule

Hosted by the Master of Science in Biomedical Communications with the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto.

Closing Keynote! Drawing the Line–Exploring AI in medical illustration

Gaël McGill, Ph.D., Founder & CEO, Digizyme, Inc. and Faculty, Harvard Medical School

What now? Moving forward without all the answers–A candid, critically reflective closing conversation about where our field stands, what we’ve learned, and what remains uncertain. Rather than offering easy answers, this keynote invites us to grapple with the challenges ahead, consider what we stand to gain, and explore how we can move forward with intention, curiosity, and hope.

Gaël McGill is the director of Molecular Visualization at Harvard Medical School, where his teaching and research focus on visualization design. He is also founder and CEO of Digizyme, Inc.–a team of scientist-artists dedicated to the visualization and communication of science. Dr. McGill has authored several textbooks—Biology, Essential Cell Biology, and Molecular Biology of the Cell—as well as worked with the United Nations and the Institute for Planetary Thinking on issues of biodiversity loss and the metacrisis.

📅 Saturday, November 21, 2026

⏰ 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

📍 The Conference Centre University of Toronto, 89 Chestnut Street, Toronto

Early-bird registration deadline: October 16

General $125 CAD; Student $50 CAD

https://uoft.me/DTL-keynote-speakers

Hosted by the Master of Science in Biomedical Communications with the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto.

Lightning Talks: Call for proposals! Drawing the Line–Exploring AI in medical illustration

We’re looking for practitioners, students and educators to share experiments, experiences and insights into how GenAI is affecting medical illustration.

7-minute presentation + 3-minute Q&A

We’re interested in practical examples and experiments across the production pipeline—from ideation and storyboarding to 3D workflows, sound, text, post-production and custom tools. This includes cases where you explored AI and decided to NOT use it.

We encourage visually-rich presentations with illustrations, animation clips, figures, stills, and process materials in your talk. More info: https://uoft.me/lightning-talks

Submission deadline: October 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET

Decisions: mid-October

NOTE: Presenters must be registered attendees. We recommend registering before the submission deadline.

Questions: drawingtheline.bmc@utoronto.ca

Web site and registration live! Drawing the Line–Exploring AI in medical illustration

Gain a clearer understanding of the current landscape, a deeper sense of the challenges and opportunities, and connections with others navigating this uncertain territory.

What will you leave with?

• Perspectives from people doing the work

• Insights into emerging practices, workflows and industry questions

• A common foundation for thinking about AI in medical illustration

• A more informed view to move forward with intention

📅 Saturday, November 21, 2026

⏰ 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

📍 The Conference Centre University of Toronto, 89 Chestnut Street, Toronto

Early-birds: register by October 16!

General $125 CAD; Student $50 CAD

https://uoft.me/drawing-the-line

Hosted by the Master of Science in Biomedical Communications with the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto.

Save the date! Drawing the Line–Exploring AI in medical illustration

Save the date! A one-day symposium to gather practitioners, industry leaders, educators and students to look honestly at the implications of generative AI in the field of medical illustration

📅 Saturday, November 21, 2026

⏰ 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

📍 The Conference Centre University of Toronto, 89 Chestnut Street, Toronto

Hosted by the Master of Science in Biomedical Communications with the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto.

Web site: https://uoft.me/drawing-the-line

Coming this fall–CMI Exam Toronto 🍁

The Master of Science in Biomedical Communications is hosting the Certified Medical Illustrator (CMI) exam in Toronto. Register now!

Date: Sunday, November 22, 2026

• 8:30 am check-in

• 9 am to 2 pm exam

Location: Room 102, Old Administration Building, University of Toronto, 263 McCaul, Toronto, ON M5T 1W7

Proctor: Dr. Shelley Wall, Associate Director, MScBMC program

To register: https://bcmi.org/

BMC's David Mazierski receives one of medical illustration’s highest honours

David Mazierski, Associate Professor-Teaching Stream, Master of Science in Biomedical Communications

The Master of Science in Biomedical Communications is proud to announce that David Mazierski, associate professor–teaching stream, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Brödel Award for Excellence in Education–one of the Association of Medical Illustrators' highest honours.

Throughout his career, David has inspired generations of medical illustrators through his work as a professor of biomedical communications at the University of Toronto. His dedication to education, mentorship and advancing the art and science of visual communication has made a lasting impact on both his students and the profession.

David will be honoured at the July 2026 AMI Conference in Madison, Wisconsin.

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Web sites referenced:

David Mazierski's faculty profile: https://bmc.med.utoronto.ca/faculty-staff/#mazierski

Brödel Award for Excellence in Education: https://ami.org/about-us/member-awards/brodel-award/

AMI Annual Conference: https://ami.org/annual-conference/

Bridget Lu named Best in Critique Year II

Bridget Lu, MScBMC Class of ‘26.

At 2026 Spring Critique, Bridget Lu was named Best in Spring Critique-Year II. This is the second Best in Critique award for Bridget who also won in year I.

Surfer's Eye, one of the pieces from the gallery of work she submitted to Critique, was created for the course MSC2018H Visual representation of processes in pathology taught by Professor Dave Mazierski.

Surfer's eye: pterygium conjunctiva by Bridget Lu

The two-page pathology visualization depicts pterygium conjunctiva–a condition of the eye resulting from prolonged ultraviolet exposure. It is commonly experienced by surfers and individuals who live near the equator or who spend long periods in the sun without eye protection.

"Bridget's masterful use of a dynamic layout, exaggerated perspective, a hyper-saturated complimentary palette and detailed histological tissue cubes tells the story of an unusual pathology in a dramatic and visually compelling manner," says Mazierski.

Bridget is currently developing drawing workshops focused on the medical humanities for fellows and residents in otolaryngology, in collaboration with Christopher Yao at Toronto General Hospital and BMC Associate Director Shelley Wall. Through this work, the second-year graduate student is expanding her use of narrative and empathy in medical illustration while gaining experience collaborating with surgeons and facilitating workshops.

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Web sites referenced:

Bridget Lu's portfolio: https://www.bridgetxlu.com

Dave Mazierski's profile: https://bmc.med.utoronto.ca/faculty-staff/#mazierski

Christopher Yao's profile: https://otolaryngology.utoronto.ca/faculty/christopher-yao

Shelley Wall's profile: https://bmc.med.utoronto.ca/faculty-staff/#wall

Sabrina Viloria Medina named 2026 Best in Spring Critique–Year I

Sabrina Viloria Medina, MScBMC Class of ‘27

Sabrina Viloria Medina is named 2026 Best in Spring Critique-Year I for her submitted body of work, as selected by faculty and peers.

One of the pieces from Sabrina's gallery is Journey to the Sea. She created this two-page information graphic for the course MSC2023H Information Visualization taught by Dr. Jodie Jenkinson.

Journey to the Sea, information graphic by Sabrina Viloria Medina, MScBMC ‘27

Journey to the Sea depicts the trek that sea turtle hatchlings make from their nests to the ocean. Sabrina's research informs a detailed visualization of their environment and the many perils the hatchlings face along the way. "My hope is to raise awareness of the obstacles this endangered reptile must overcome, and to encourage further education and conservation efforts around them," says the first-year graduate student.

Jenkinson says that the piece clearly illustrates a complex scenario. "We have so many variables at play that can impact the success or failure of these hatchlings--from the time of day they hatch, to predators, litter, fishing nets and climate change. What makes this graphic successful is its clear communication of these threats. From a design perspective, the information hierarchy is well established allowing viewers to understand the content without difficulty," says Jenkinson. "It is also beautifully illustrated."

Sabrina is currently compiling research for her master's project and preparing for her summer internship with TVASurg where she will continue to develop her skills in translating complex science into accessible visual narratives.

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Web sites referenced

Sabrina Viloria Medina’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrina-viloria/

Jodie Jenkinon's profile: https://bmc.med.utoronto.ca/faculty-staff/#jenkinson