Maydianne Andrade

Maydianne Andrade has demonstrated innovative and transformative leadership in diverse academic and professional service roles, and as a social justice organization founder. With over 20 years of experience in science research, teaching, and outreach, she pairs her relationship-based leadership with authentic and empathetic equity education and knowledge translation.

Andrade is a University Professor, the University of Toronto's highest academic rank. With a Ph.D. in Neurobiology & Behavior from Cornell University, Andrade’s award-winning research has a focus on how ecological and social contexts affect animal diversity. In her lab at the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) she has mentored over 200 undergraduate and graduate student researchers. She is a Fellow of the Animal Behavior Society (ABS), and of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS). Her research awards include a Canada Research Chair in Integrative Behavioural Ecology, election as an Honorary International member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, the Lawrence J. Burpee medal for outstanding contributions and science leadership (RCGS), and the Exemplar award for sustained contributions to the study of animal behavior (ABS).

Andrade’s academic leadership roles have included Special Advisor to the Dean on Inclusive Recruitment & Equity Education, Vice Dean of Faculty Affairs & Equity, and Acting Vice Principal Academic & Dean for UTSC. Her innovative programming and equitable practices facilitated successful change management across the campus’ 16 academic units.

Andrade is a co-founder and inaugural President of the Canadian Black Scientists Network, a national coalition of Black scholars and trainees in STEMM fields that was named a 'Community Champion' by the Black North Initiative in 2023. She is the host and organizational lead of their yearly national conference for Black Excellence in STEMM (2022, 2023), the first of its kind in Canada. Andrade is the Founder and Co-Chair of the Toronto Initiative for Diversity and Excellence (TIDE), a group of senior faculty from across the University of Toronto who provide data-informed talks, workshops, and leadership advising on issues related to equity and inclusion.

Andrade has been a guest host, story editor, original concept creator, and cast member on different episodes of "The Nature of Things," hosted a podcast about equity and life during the pandemic ("The New Normal"), and is a sought-after speaker who engages across sectors.