Syngenta portrait from my scanner 1200dpi D. L. Houghton was born in Ottawa, Ontario, and from an early age was intrigued by science fiction and fantasy stories. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Hobbit, and The Time Machine were favorites, and prompted her to write stories of her own. She also had a keen interest in biology and after receiving a microscope for her tenth birthday, the natural world became an even more fascinating place to explore.

As a teenager, her passion for the arts rivaled her love of biology, but on the advice of her parents who felt employment opportunities were greater in science (they were probably right), she entered a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture program at the University of Guelph.  Yes, an odd choice for a city slicker, but it satisfied her interest in animals and the outdoors, and job opportunities abounded.

Following graduation, marriage, an eleven-year career in research, and the birth of three wonderful children, D. L. returned to the university to complete a Masters degree in Toxicology.  After only two semesters she was offered advancement to the PhD program, an honour she readily accepted.  Four years later, balancing a graduation diploma in one hand and three young children in the other, she began her second career that included responsibilities in research, education, technical writing, and government relations.

D. L. Houghton has authored scientific journal articles, a textbook chapter, numerous company research reports, and trade magazine pieces.  She recently decided it was time to pursue her passion for creative writing, and is now working on her first novel.  Predictably, it’s a fantasy story that contains plenty of science, particularly medicine.   D. L. and her husband live in Southwestern Ontario, Canada.