Shiz Aoki
About Shiz Aoki
Shiz Aoki is the Co-founder and CEO of BioRender, a platform that facilitates the creation of scientific graphics, fostering collaboration among scientists. With a background in medical illustration and experience at National Geographic, she has dedicated her career to enhancing scientific communication through visual tools.
Work at BioRender
Shiz Aoki serves as the Co-founder and CEO of BioRender, a position she has held since 2017. Under her leadership, BioRender has developed into a platform that enables scientists to create scientific graphics, similar to tools like Canva and Figma, but tailored specifically for the scientific community. Aoki's focus at BioRender is on fostering a collaborative environment that accelerates scientific discovery through effective visual communication. The company is based in the Toronto, Canada area.
Previous Experience
Prior to her role at BioRender, Shiz Aoki worked at Y Combinator as part of the W2018 cohort for three months in 2018. She also founded Anatomize Studios Inc., where she served as a Medical Illustrator from 2010 to 2022. Additionally, Aoki was the Lead Science Illustrator at National Geographic, where she worked for eight years from 2010 to 2018. She began her career at National Geographic as a Science Illustrator Intern in 2010.
Education and Expertise
Shiz Aoki holds a Master's degree in Medical and Biological Illustration from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She also earned a dual degree, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and a Bachelor of Science in Life Science, from Queen's University. Aoki's educational background provides her with a strong foundation in both the artistic and scientific aspects of medical illustration.
Background
Shiz Aoki is based in the Toronto, Canada area and has a diverse professional background that combines art and science. She founded a medical illustration firm in Toronto, which contributed to her expertise in visual communication within the scientific field. Aoki partnered with Katya Shteyn and Ryan Marien to establish BioRender, reflecting her commitment to enhancing scientific communication.
Achievements in Medical Illustration
During her tenure at National Geographic, Shiz Aoki served as the Lead Medical Illustrator for a decade. This role involved creating visual content that effectively communicated complex scientific concepts to a broad audience. Her extensive experience in medical illustration has positioned her as a key figure in the field, contributing to the development of visual tools that aid in scientific understanding.