Leslie Ordal ‘99

At Wellesley (even at St. Mary's) I found I had a strong interest and ability in both writing and the sciences. This eventually led to my starting up my own medical writing and editing business, which I have had for six years and has encompassed everything from copyediting medical journals, to writing manuscripts for scientific research and even reporting on conference proceedings or pharmaceutical development meetings with subject matter experts.

After working for two years in a full-time role developing continuing medical education for paramedics, I returned to school for my MSc. in Genetic Counseling at the University of Toronto. I've chosen a research-oriented career, having first worked in clinical research ethics at the largest pediatric hospital in Canada. I'm now on a year-long contract to develop and run several studies to benefit children with severe communication impairments, working with a clinical engineering lab that makes novel communication devices that can be controlled by eye movement, vocalizations, or even changes in brain wave patterns.

Wellesley College, BA, Biological Sciences, 2004
University of Toronto, MSc., Molecular Genetics (Genetic Counseling), 2014
Current location: Toronto, Ontario