The Art of Science

Mandy Root-Thompson, MS, CMI, FAMI

As a medical illustrator and owner of MedDraw Studio, I collaborate with medical and scientific professionals to communicate complex scientific information to medical, scientific, and lay audiences in the form of patient and consumer education materials, editorial illustrations, and journal figures. My primary focus is illustrations for books, magazines, patient education, and peer-reviewed medical and scientific journals. I also make the occasional middle school career day presentation.

I received my bachelor’s degree in illustration from the Columbus College of Art and Design, a teaching certificate from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, and a Master of Science in Biomedical Visualization from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

I am a certified medical illustrator and a member of the Association of Medical Illustrators and the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators. I am also an adjunct professor of Biomedical Illustration and Natural Science Illustration at the Columbus College of Art and Design and an adjunct professor of Business Practices for Medical Illustrators at the University of Illinois Chicago.

When I’m not in the studio or teaching, I can be found sailing or kayaking the local waterways.

“It is my goal to create a unique solution to your communication needs and to help my students realize their full potential as both artist and academics.”

A Certified Medical Illustrator (CMI) has passed examinations dealing with business practices, ethics, biomedical science, and drawing skills, and has undergone a rigorous portfolio review.

The Association of Medical Illustrators is a global community that promotes the power of visual media to advance scientific understanding, communication, education, and research.

The Guild of Natural Science Illustrators is a nonprofit organization founded to provide opportunities to meet, share ideas, and spread the knowledge of visual science techniques.

The Columbus College of Art & Design is a private college of art and design in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1879 as the Columbus Art School, CCAD is one of the oldest private art and design colleges in the United States.

The UIC Master of Science in Biomedical Visualization provides an interdisciplinary graduate education to shape leaders in visual communication who create, disseminate and advance knowledge in science, healthcare and medicine.