“I haven’t found a science concept yet that I can’t explain to my kids.
I promise I can do the same for you.”
Communications skills with a technical core
My technical journey began early with a passion for science in all forms. My eighth grade algebra teacher told me I would love physics because it was science plus math all rolled into one. He was right! I finished a B.A. in physics and a master’s degree in astrophysics and loved every minute of it. But I quickly realized my true science superpower is explaining science, getting other people excited about it because they can understand it, not pursuing it myself.
I’ve worked in education and outreach at NASA’s Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics and in strategic communication at Draper (the engineering firm that designed the guidance, navigation and control of every crewed American spacecraft). I’ve expanded into the life sciences with online coursework in molecular biology (edX MIT’s “Intro to Biology: The Secret of Life” August to October 2016) that led me to the amazing world of computational biology. I am now proud to work as a science writer on the Data Sciences Platform team at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.
Marketing/Communications
As a writer at Draper, I helped pair customers with solutions – engineers who had the range of expertise to solve their most difficult challenges. Draper’s business areas include biomedical devices, space and national security, and energy and transportation. In-house engineering capabilities range from microfluidics to big data analytics, cyber security to autonomy. I collaborated with engineers (subject matter experts) to craft content for web and print-based media, often helping other members of the comms team understand technical details. I could read a technical article or patent and understand enough to ask the right questions. Quickly being able to in on answers to “how is this different from other solutions” and “why do I care” made for a for a smoother, more effective writing process.
Public outreach and education
I spent more than six years at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center writing, developing, and promoting STEM education materials for grades K-12. Our close-knit team (most of whom are still at Goddard) worked closely with NASA scientists and external educators to develop lesson plans, posters, and web pages. It was the perfect first job for someone who loves all things science! There’s nothing cooler than talking to elementary aged kids about black holes and how we know they’re real. And it means I have plenty of first-hand experience working with teachers to develop the right stuff – materials that get students excited while meeting current science and math standards.
Project Management
I have outstanding organization skills and attention to detail. Really. I write effectively and concisely (thanks, liberal arts education!). I complete projects – with many moving parts and many partners – on time and with great enthusiasm. I have vision and energy: great qualities when leading a team!
For example, as board member of a non-profit I’ve been part of for more than a decade, I oversaw a complete overhaul of their ancient website (see the results at ecrs.org). By coordinating a diverse group of members and interests and a wonderful designer, I completed in six months a project that had been simmering on the back burner for years.
Education
- 1991 B.A. Reed College (Physics)
- 1995 M. S. University of Minnesota (Astrophysics)
- 2018 eCornell certificate (Marketing Strategies)
Beyond the degrees: Curiosity and conversation
I am quick to grasp technical ideas because I am insanely curious. About everything. I chose astrophysics as a major because of its breadth. I loved that I would need to apply many disciplines of physics (magnetohydrodynamics, classical mechanics, special, general relativity) to whatever I wanted to study (exploding stars, black holes). I chose the University of Minnesota for graduate school in part so I could take graduate level courses outside my major. I did better in Differential Geometry (the mathematics that underlies Einstein’s theory of general relativity) than in many of my core astrophysics requirements.
I often helped many of my fellow graduate student classmates understand lectures given by a particularly brilliant professor. And I’ve spent much of my adult life talking about science and technology to friends and family who don’t even like science (supposedly). One of my best friends is a yoga teacher. Not only have I convinced her that vaccinating her kids is safe and essential, she’s now interested in cosmology.
I love to help bridge the communication gap between technical and non-technical people. My non-science friends (and my mom!) tell me that I make everything clearer. Engineering colleagues have told me I am one of the only communications staff who understands and cares about their technology and the right messaging. I save technical staff’s time because they’re comfortable talking with me, and I know what questions to ask.