Maddy Young

Hey, I'm Maddy! I'm a fourth year student at the University of Guelph, studying both biology and studio art. My hometown is in northern Ontario, where I love to hike with my black lab and bake copious amounts of gingerbread cookies (iced shortbread and brownies are also favourites). I work in a cinema, so I scoop a lot of popcorn and watch a lot of movies. I also love to travel, and recently went on a semester-long exchange to the University of Birmingham in the UK. While there, I took a variety of biology courses and learned about collective behaviour in animals, clinical practices in medicine, and evolution.

I am very passionate about science. My favourite areas of study are zoology and human physiology, because both focus on life, which is so incredibly complex and diverse. I believe that science education is extremely important, because science allows us to understand the world we live in, and it is what drives changes in medicine, technology, conservation, and so much more.

I’m a big fan of Canadian science communicators Greg Brown and Mitch Moffit (of AsapSCIENCE), whose goal is to make science fun and accessible. I also think that Col. Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian commander of the International Space Station and an ardent promotor of science and space exploration, is probably the coolest person on earth.

After university, I plan to pursue a career as an illustrator. Ideally, I would like to combine my illustration practice with science communication, potentially drawing images for science magazines or museums. In addition to drawing, I am very into printmaking (especially screen printing) and am currently dipping my toes into digital forms of art making.

Most people probably wouldn’t know that I love listening to soundtracks from musicals, even if I haven’t actually seen the musical itself. The greatest musical ever made is Wicked (which I have seen), and I am absolutely willing to argue that point with anyone who challenges it. My other favourites include Dear Evan Hansen, Waitress, and Mamma Mia.