ABOUT ME

Melody Zhang holds a B.S. in General Biology and a minor in Mathematical Biology from UCLA and is working on her M.A. in Medical and Biological Illustration from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She focuses on creating engaging, inclusive visuals that promote learning. Through deliberate storytelling she transforms scientific language into compelling visual narratives that break down barriers to understanding for all. 

During her free time Melody loves to make all sorts of sparkly little trinkets whether it be jewelry, keychains, or charms, and cuddling with her tiny polydactyl cat, Boots.

Awards

2025

The Association of Medical Illustrators

Award of Merit

2025 - 2026

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

School of Medicine Dean’s Slot Tuition Grant

William P. Didusch Scholarship

Leon Schlossberg Scholarship

W. B. Saunders Scholarship

William P. Didusch Scholarship

School of Medicine Dean’s Slot Tuition Grant

2024 - 2026

MA, Medical and Biological Illustration

Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

2018 - 2022

BS, Biology

Minor in Mathematical Biology

University of California, Los Angeles

2023 - 2025

Design Lead
Illustration/Graphic Design Contractor

Oxford Nanoimaging Institute – San Diego, CA

2022 - 2023

Neuroscience Research Specialist

Chen Lab – Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA

2022

Neuroimaging Research Assistant

Tward Lab – University of California, Los Angeles

2025

Surgical Illustration

FAMM Flap Procedure, Dr. Leila Mady, MD and Dr. Shaun Desai, MD
Department of Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins SOM – Baltimore, MD

2025

Cellular and Molecular Illustration

Kinetics of Glutamate Binding to the Glutamate Receptor, Dr. Albert Lau, PhD
Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins SOM – Baltimore, MD

2025

Medical Illustration

Intracranial Hemorrhage Compartments, Dr. Haris Sair, MD
Department of Interventional Neuroradiology, Johns Hopkins SOM – Baltimore, MD

2025

Biological Illustration

Australian Reptiles, Matthew Benedict (Herpetologist), Drew Roderuck (Herpetologist)
National Aquarium – Baltimore, MD

2025

Medical Animation

Peripheral Artery Disease – Vascular Disease Team
Center for Bioengineering Innovation & Design, Johns Hopkins University – Baltimore, MD

2024

Medical Illustration

Anatomy of the Larynx, Dr. Don Cerio, PhD
Center for Functional Anatomy and Evolution, Johns Hopkins SOM – Baltimore, MD