In 1997, Brandon received a BS with a concentration in painting from Towson University. In the three years following, he worked as a teacher and art program coordinator in the alternative school systems of Boston, Massachusetts, and Baltimore, Maryland. In 2003, he earned his Master of Science Degree in Medical Illustration from the Medical College of Georgia.

Both as a student and a professional, Brandon received international recognition as a medical animator. He has the unique honor of being the only illustrator in the history of the Association of Medical Illustrators to win the Orville Parkes Best of Show award for two consecutive years. In 2003, he was the first animator to win the National Science Foundation’s Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge.

As an owner and President of Thomas Direct Studios, Brandon oversees the production of animations and illustrations for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. In addition, he has provided educational content to dozens of institutions and organizations around the globe, including NASA, Discovery Channel, and Harvard University.

Michelle has been compelled to create art for as long as she can remember - drawing, painting, making sculpture, and shooting film. When she was nine years old, she began using her family’s video camera to produce, direct, and film movie shorts starring her brothers and sisters and the occasionally casted neighborhood friend.

Her artistic talents helped her to excel in school early on, especially in science. But it was her sixth grade teacher, Lyla Marinelli, who helped her to channel her efforts towards a goal - pointing her in a direction that combined her love for both art and science.

Michelle holds a Master of Science Degree in Medical Illustration from the Medical College of Georgia, one of only four certified graduate programs for medical illustration in the world accredited by the CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs). She has been specially trained in the creation of patient education instruments ranging from illustrations and models to interactive animations. As a former cancer patient and medical educator, she draws upon her own experiences to bring aspects of humanity to her creative process.

Since her training she has spoken at numerous national medical and legal conferences on topics pertaining to neurology, cardiology, orthopedics, and general anatomy. She is a spokesperson and volunteer for the National Marrow Donor Program. She has worked with surgeons and child healthcare specialists to create animations that target audiences among resident neurosurgeons as well as families of children who need bone marrow transplants. In 2008 and 2009, she donated her time and talents to the Forensic Expert Witness Association educating physicians on the techniques of using visuals to make science and medicine easier for their patients to understand.

Fun Facts:

• Has a dog named Chainsaw
• Has been to 49 of the 50 states
• Is learning to play the harmonica
• An avid white water rafter
• Used to sell her drawings of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for $1 to fellow students in grade school
• Married her medical illustratin’ husband on Halloween
• Her dad led the NASA Huntsville Unit to design and build the Saturn V
• Was once attacked by a hawk after her husband (then friend) threw her in front of it to save his own life…which he denies ever doing

Drawing has always been a constant in Trisha’s life. Passed down from both sides of her family, her talent with a pencil was discovered at age 7. She would sketch the characters from her favorite Disney^® storybooks so well that, at first, her parents thought she was tracing them.

Throughout her grade school years, she enjoyed being the designated artist for the creative portions of class projects; however, her passion grew for the biological sciences and medicine, as well. Knowing that she wanted her future career to focus on helping people, she followed the pre-med academic track to earn her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology and BCMB (Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology) from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

During her years at Drake; however, Trisha struggled with the notion that her future career would not incorporate her artistic talents. A few months before graduation, a friend told her to look into medical illustration. On occasion she would come across an illustration or chart in her textbook that she thought could have been executed more effectively, but it never occurred to her that creating these images could be a career. This changed everything.

As she applied to the medical illustration graduate programs, she expanded on her medical education by working in the Surgical Pathology, Histology, and Morgue departments at Mercy Medical Center. During this time, she also got a taste of the new field she was entering by developing illustrations for two pathology textbooks.

While earning her Master of Science Degree in Biomedical Visualization from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Trisha took a graduate assistantship with the Chiefs of Pediatric Nephrology and Pediatric Gastroenterology at the UIC hospital. After graduation, she was immediately recruited by a medical-legal illustration company to serve as a liaison between their attorney clients and in-house medical illustration team. During her four years there she also served as a Medical Illustration Consultant by attending and speaking at numerous legal/medical conferences throughout the United States.

Trisha feels extremely fortunate to be a part of a profession that combines her two passions: medical education and creating art.

Fun facts:

• Has done a cage dive to observe Galapagos sharks off the Hawaiian coast
• Completed a marathon, Olympic distance triathlon
  and several half-marathons
• Loves all things Chicago except the Bears
  (Go PACK Go!)
• Lived in a town that no longer exists - Empire, Nevada
• Agrees with Andy that mayonnaise is the worst condiment ever

At the age of 7, after finding out from his 2nd grade teacher that a gas station attendant was not exactly the most desirable job, and that the large sums of money they often held did not in fact, belong to them, Andrew Krapsho realized that art, his second choice at the time for a profession, was actually his true calling.

Over the years he went from drawing pictures on the back of place mats at diners, to drawing on the back of used form feed paper that his parents would bring home from work - to finally drawing on the more widely accepted sketchpad. No surprise he drew on the back of those too. At an early age he began taking summer art courses at the local college to begin learning different types of mediums. At the age of 15, he got his first official job penciling a comic book for a local start up publisher. This was his first taste of seeing his work in print and he knew that this was a career he wanted to pursue.

After graduating high school with artistic honors, he attended the Kubert School of Graphic Art. There he honed his skills in graphic arts, illustration, and animation. While taking his first year computer courses, he instantly fell in love with creating artwork in a digital form. Discovering the phenomenon known as the undo button would forever change his life. Vector artwork became an instant obsession and remains his favorite medium to this day.

He began his professional career with a two-year stint as a graphic designer for Vantage (the nation’s top supplier for corporate logo apparel). In the spring of 2000, he joined Thomas Direct as their junior graphic designer. Within two years he was promoted to the position of Creative Director. Over time, he has worked with some of the largest Pharmaceutical companies in the world, as well as many well known electronic, sports and consumer product companies such as Budweiser, Eddie Bauer, Getty Images, Jackson Hewitt, LG, NHL, Verizon Wireless and Vitamin Water.

In his spare time, Andrew enjoys designing artwork, as well as directing, editing and animating videos for independent bands, where he can join his two passions, art and music. He is comforted by the fact that if his creative juices ever stop flowing, he always has his gas station attending dreams to fall back on.

Fun Facts:

• Enjoys pizza, B-Movies, and flossing
• Dislikes the Jersey Shore (both the tv show and the actual beaches), spiders (they look like aliens from another planet) and Mayonnaise (worst condiment ever)
• Once played in a rock band that was signed to a major label
• Due to a law passed in 1949 making it illegal to pump your own gas in New Jersey, Andy rarely pumps his own gas

In 1976, Jeff was born Jeffrey Wayne Dash and developed an affinity for world domination at an early age. Fortunately for most, he was distracted and overwhelmed by what we've come to know as Saturday Morning Cartoons.

His life had changed forever.

Quickly forgetting his desire to conquer the world, he devoted his life to his new love - animation. At the age of 10, he climbed the highest hill in the Midwest and sought serenity in the solitude it provided. There he meditated, as monks do, day and night, night and day, on how to become a better artist. With the leaves whisking past him on a blustery autumn afternoon, he concentrated on his surroundings. The leaves travel lightly on the wind. Silent. Deadly. Like little ninjas. Hitting him when he least expected. At that moment he came to a conclusion.

Ninjas are cooler than monks.

From that day forth, he concentrated on the awesomeness, rather than the peacefulness, of what animation could provide him without forgetting the discipline he learned on that hill top many moons ago. Legend has it to this day, he weaves a mysterious web of...mysteries...luring peers into his grasp, only to ask...

"Whataya think?"

Jeff obtained his BS, with honors, from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 2001. Offered a job at graduation, he moved to New Jersey and has worked on projects for Lancôme, McDonalds, NASCAR, and the NHL. His main "vein" of work involves award-winning MOA animations for the pharmaceutical industry and he's recently obtained membership into the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI). He eats, sleeps, and breathes anything that involves new technology - especially dealing with computers, science, and anything 3D.

Fun Facts:

• Named after John “The Duke” Wayne
• Knew nothing about computers before college - now builds them
• John Lasseter is his hero - saw him at SIGGRAPH ’08
• Also wanted to be an astronaut
• Lyme Disease survivor - stupid ticks

Liz, a natural red head, graduated with honors from Sacred Heart University in 2005. Before obtaining her BS in Graphic Design, she held an academic internship with a printing brokerage in New York City. There, she worked hands on with both digital and offset printing and was on press during the production of the 2004 Grammy Award invitations. This experience immediately sparked her interest in typography/layout design and helped her find her calling.

Channeling her knowledge and newfound love into her work, she climbed to the top of her class. Her creations have been showcased in a number of juried exhibitions, winning her numerous awards including the RYASAP anti-smoking ad campaign. Her design was chosen from over 500 applicants to be featured on public transportation throughout the State of Connecticut.

Upon graduation, she was quickly discovered and brought on board by Thomas Direct, where her typography and layout skills continue to impress. Liz works closely with many of the top pharmaceutical companies as well as non-pharma companies including: BMW, MINI, Orbitz, Wyndham Hotel Group, Wrigley’s, Splenda, Aveeno and The New York Giants.

Realizing education never stops in the graphics field; Liz added web design to her repertoire by obtaining her certification from William Patterson University in the spring of 2008.

When she is not at work, Liz continues to develop her typography skills by designing custom wedding invitations for brides throughout the tri-state area, one of her favorite hobbies since that day on press in 2004.

Fun Facts:

• Is the niece of Margaret Hamilton the Wicked Witch from the classic movie, The Wizard of Oz 
• Wants to follow in the footsteps of Martha Stewart - sans jail time
• Performed at Carnegie Hall
• Is allergic to Red food dye

Tristan grew up in northeastern Ohio with a passion for drawing, science, sports, movies, and food. Realizing a career involving all five doesn’t exist, he decided to combine his two favorites: drawing and science.

Tristan graduated with a Master of Science degree in Medical Illustration from the Medical College of Georgia in 2008, and immediately took a position at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Tristan worked as a medical illustrator in the Mayo Clinic Medical Illustration and Animation department where he specialized in creating patient education material in a variety of media.

Within his first year, Tristan had illustrated several textbooks, an imaging atlas, and had created several animations for both local and national news telecasts. He has won numerous awards in medical illustration, both as a student and as a professional. Educational institutions, such as Tristan’s undergraduate alma mater, Hiram College, continue to invite him to speak to students on topics that range from medical illustration to the technology that’s involved within the profession.

When not at work, you will usually find Tristan hanging out with his wife and dog, or in the kitchen brewing his own beer, or cooking, which has quickly become his new favorite hobby. He has now collected enough kitchen appliances and brewing gadgets to be considered dangerous.

Fun facts:

• Doesn’t like to draw while wearing shoes
• Frank Sinatra fan
• Plays the tenor saxophone
• Can do an impression of Louis Armstrong
• Is a Cleveland Browns fan (even though he has tried, unsuccessfully, to quit this nasty habit)

Katie has always been interested in the sciences. At 3 years old, she thoroughly enjoyed playing doctor – her most willing and favorite patient was the family’s black lab Sam. Her ‘treatment’ consisted of adhering Band-Aids to his fur and then quickly pulling them off. Her love for animals and appreciation for science continued into kindergarten where she won the school science fair with a project on baby squirrels. Her mom even had her prize framed; it’s currently in her closet.

During high school, she began to think more seriously about medicine. She was accepted into the mini medical school program at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ). Through a partnership between Montclair High School and Montclair State University, she was paired with a chemistry professor to assist in cancer research on Thymitaq. Together they developed 2 similar compounds to Thymitaq, aiming to produce similar treatment results – without producing as many side effects. At the end of the summer session, their group successfully submitted two compounds to the American Liver Foundation for review.

Katie recently graduated from Mount Holyoke College, in Massachusetts, where she broadened her interests and developed appreciations in the areas of business and art history. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Economics and Art History in 2010. Not long after graduation, she joined Thomas Direct Studios as their Junior Project Manager. Her position allows her to combine her creativity with her enthusiasm for new business development and her uncanny 'Exceling' abilities.

Fun Facts:

• Recently discovered (and fell in love with) the San Diego Zoo Polar Cam
• Is usually caught with a Diet Coke in hand
• Will watch any movie with Vin Diesel in it
• Enjoys going big for birthdays

Paul Kim is a recent graduate of the Medical Illustration Graduate Program at Georgia Health Sciences University, formerly Medical College of Georgia.

Paul received his BS in Biology in 2008 from Campbell University. Though he had originally planned on going on to dental school, he changed his career path to follow his passion for medical illustration. In May 2011, Paul received his MS in Medical Illustration from Georgia Health Sciences University. During his two years in the graduate program, Paul has won several top awards, including the Orville Parkes Student Best of Show at the Association of Medical Illustrators Annual Conference in 2010.

Paul’s expertise is creating visuals that convey complex medical and scientific information in a manner that is accurate, clear, and engaging. He is deeply passionate about healthcare and medicine and feels blessed to have a career that allows him to use his artistic talent to help others

Fun Facts:

• Is a body-beats master
• Keeps a rubber chicken named Hancock on his desk at work and enjoys squeezing him
• Is enjoying living in Jersey but misses Bojangles’ and Waffle House
• Learned the art of caricaturing by drawing his teachers during class - thought he also learned the art of doing so secretively, until his neuroanatomy professor noticed and stopped his lecture to look at his caricature and asked, “Do I really look this sad?”
• Sriracha, best sauce ever

As a child, Adam’s dream career changed weekly, closely tied to subjects in books he’d recently read or movies he’d recently seen. At various times he aspired to become a marine biologist, meteorologist, cryptozoologist, astronomer, and riding the irresistible wake that the film Jurassic Park churned in minds of children everywhere, a paleontologist. After a frustrating day of digging all over his backyard in suburban Massachusetts and coming up empty-shoveled, Adam decided that if he couldn’t find actual dinosaurs in his disappointingly fossil-less yard, he could at least draw them and give them life in his imagination. He took up pencil and paper, sketching pterosaurs, tyrannosaurs, and iguanodons – unknowingly transforming the act of drawing from an idle hobby into a lifelong passion.

Years later, Adam studied traditional drawing and oil painting at the Boston University College of Fine Arts. Continuing his childhood fascination with science, he filled any gaps in his schedule with a series of increasingly awesome biology classes. He also spent a semester in Venice, Italy, where he perfected the fine art of pizza appreciation and had the opportunity to hang out with artsy new friends Bellini, Titian, and Veronese.

After college, he attended graduate school at the Johns Hopkins University, where he received his Master of Arts in Medical and Biological Illustration, finally fusing his love for art with his fascination for science and biology.

Fun Facts:

• His hometown is the birthplace of second-tier
  tall tale legend Johnny Appleseed
• Is a Buffalo wing aficionado
• Built a homemade didgeridoo in high school
• Has made a medical illustration using
  melted glass as a medium
• Thinks negative numbers should
  quit being so pessimistic

Edgard Jaude grew up in New York. As a kid, he always had a passion for music. He had the good fortune to travel the world as a teenager, and was able to experience music from many different places and cultures.

After graduating from high school and completing two years of college, Edgard decided to give his dream of making music a chance. The journey began when he was offered to compose jingles for advertisement agencies in NYC. As a freelance composer, he found great success in that work. In 2000, he had the pleasure of meeting Zelma Davis, former lead singer of the C&C music Factory. They would begin working together very soon. He co-wrote and then produced her number 1 dance single "Power" [Oct 7, 2000, Maxi singles breakout chart]. Shortly after that experience, Edgard decided to dive into the film and television realm. With that move, he had found his true love. Since then, he has created features for various types of shows as well as for major publishers in the US and around the world.

He joined the creative team at TD Studios in 2008, creating custom muscial scores for many of their MOA animation and interactive pieces. His award winning talents continue to generate great accolades and recognition. He never stops challenging himself - pulling from his past experiences and combininig those with his talent into a world-wide success story.

Edgard's music is now featured on: Free Agents (NBC), NIKITA (CW), The Next Three Days (Lionsgate), CSI NY (CBS), Desperate Housewives (ABC), Ugly Betty (CBS), Burn Notice (USA), The Oprah Winfrey Show (ABC), Dr. Oz (CBS), the Nate Burkus Show (NBC), All My Children (ABC) to name a few.

Fun Facts:

• Does not like to compose without a hot cup of coffee
• Supertramp Fan
• Big time Patriots fan and loves Manchester United and Olympique Lyonnais
• Loves cheese and wine
• Wishes he could remember his life as an Emperor when Rome ruled... what a life! If he could press rewind, he would do it all again, the exact same way.

Khye graduated from Iowa State University in 2002, achieving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a focus in animation. Later he found his way into medical animation which was ironic since it was always his worst subject in school. However, his love for Art and Math combined perfectly in creating the world of microbiology. Khye enjoys bringing mathematical and logical solutions to creative problems. This is evident in his passion for particle systems and scripted tools.

When he’s not animating, Khye enjoys being a part of the larger 3D community. Most of his free time is spent keeping up on the latest advancements in visual effects that might be applicable to medical animation. Coming from an art background, Khye enjoys challenging the conventions in this maturing market and actively looks for new perspectives.

Fun facts:

• Enjoys competitive Scrabble
• Often forgets to finish his
• Completed a marathon, several half-marathons and saw a commercial for an Olympic triathlon once
• Loves mayonnaise, especially with a corn dog