Biomedical Illuminations is an award winning biomedical communications company, committed to creating decorated and illustrious works, highlighting important ideas, and elucidating confusing concepts in order to enlighten students, colleagues, and the public.

Biomedical Illuminations was established in 2009 to provide medical and scientific professionals with the tools to create and disseminate their medical, biological, and related knowledge in an elegant and visually intriguing manner. Whether it is a textbook or online resources for students, visuals for a presentation to colleagues, or educational materials for the public at large, we take pride in our ability to listen to your ideas and make them a reality. 

Shelley Jacobs, PhD

Owner, Editor, and Illustrator

I’ve been present in the visual arts community since childhood, and have sold and/or been commissioned to create a number of fine and graphic art pieces over the years. After beginning my degree in Biology and Psychology, I began to contribute my artistic abilities to various biomedical research projects creating figures and illustrations for published papers and book chapters. However, it was only after completing my Ph.D. in Medical Sciences that I made the decision to fully explore the possibilities. In 2009, I began illustrating medical and scientific content on a more regular basis, and Biomedical Illuminations was formed. Things then quickly fell into place, and in 2011, I found myself managing the production of an award-winning textbook on Chest Radiology. 

Since then, I’ve completed my Certificate of Publishing through Ryerson University, an Editorial Internship at Penguin Random House Canada, and an Editorial Internship at Nelson Canada.

Currently, in addition to providing Creative Services through Biomedical Illuminations, I am Chief of Staff at Medmastery and (fractional) Marketing Director for Holburn Biomedical Corporation. Prior to that, I was the Chief Learning Officer (Managing Director of Course Production) and Acting Content Marketing Manager at Medmastery where I developed their course creation process and helped grow the company from five to over fifty employees in five years.

Awards and Distinctions

• Winner, Mills Mentorship at Nelson Education (School Science, Editorial), 2015

• Nominee, Rosemary Shipton Award for Excellence in Book Editing, 2015

• Winner, Radiology, BMA Medical Book Awards, 2014

• Shortlisted, BMA Student Textbook Award, 2014

• Shortlisted, BMA Illustrated Book Award, 2014

• Image of Distinction, Nikon Small Worlds Competition, 2012