Maydianne C.B. Andrade is a University Professor at the University of Toronto. With a PhD in Neurobiology & Behavior from Cornell University, Andrade’s research uncovers links between mating behaviour, ecology, and evolution in variable environments. She is an internationally recognized expert on black widow spiders, with research awards including a Canada Research Chair, the Exemplar award for sustained research contributions (Animal Behavior Society), and the Burpee Medal for science leadership (Royal Canadian Geographical Society). She is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and serves on the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Council of Canadian Academies.
As Vice Dean Faculty Affairs & Equity, and as Acting Vice Principal Academic and Dean at the University of Toronto Scarborough, Andrade’s leadership was marked by innovation and change management. Andrade is a co-founder and inaugural President of the Canadian Black Scientists Network/ Réseau Canadien des Scientifiques Noirs, a national, multidisciplinary coalition advocating for Black inclusion in STEM. She is the founder and co-Chair of the Toronto Initiative for Diversity and Excellence, a group of faculty engaged in peer education on equity and inclusion. She received the Ludwik and Estelle Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize from the University of Toronto for the impact of this work.