Work Experience

I have written hundreds of articles, edited articles and technical papers, developed content for science exhibits, and organized and managed web-based media projects. A Ph.D. chemist by training, I can dig into technical material for scientists, discuss science and policy, and translate scientific discoveries for lay audiences and children.

Here’s a summary or download my resume:

Journalism:

  • Freelance Journalist: November 2004-present. My work has appeared in Discover, Science News, Scientific American, Science Careers, Nature, BioTechniques, Chemical & Engineering News, Science News for Kids, Muse, and many others.
  • Bracing for Impact reported by Flux: July 2014-March 2015. Member of a journalist team that crowdfunded and executed a reporting project examining adaptation and resilience in the face of climate change.
  • WNBC-TV New York, AAAS Mass Media Fellow, September-November 2004: assisting with the production of health stories for evening news: researching stories, contacting sources, pulling video,

Science Writing:

I have written web copy, articles, white papers, and scientific meeting reports for a variety of clients including the New York Academy of Sciences, Krell Institute, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Editorial work:

  • Editor-in-Chief of The Science Writers’ Handbook website (pitchpublishprosper.com): January 2013- December 2014. I directed the development of this site, commissioned the web design, and led a team of editors who maintained the editorial content.
  • Freelance Editor, American Chemical Society and Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN): I edit SCENE news articles that appear on the web page of C&EN and extended research abstracts (Conspecti) in Accounts of Chemical Research to appeal to broader audiences
  • Research and Fact Checking: CR Magazine (now Cancer Today), Popular Science, Discover.

Museum and Exhibit Experience:

  • Research Coordinator for Exhibitions at Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles: May 2005-February 2006. Worked with design team at C&G Partners, New York– manager of research team, developed content and managed efficient flow of information among researchers, graphic designers and the client for award-winning permanent exhibitions at Griffith Observatory.
  • Floor Manager, WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology, Bloomington, Indiana. July 2003-May 2004 Responsible for supervising volunteers and other floor staff, performing science demonstrations and facilitating a positive experience for visitors,

Education:

  • Ph.D. in Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, Major: Organic Chemistry, Minor: Biochemistry, April 2004
  • J. William Fulbright Fellowship for research in Organic Chemistry, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Gießen, Germany, 1996-97
  • B.S. in Chemistry, B.A. in German, magna cum laude, Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina, June 1996