Education
Simmons College, Boston MA – Master of Science in Communication
Boston University, Boston MA – Bachelor of Science in Business Management
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI – Teaching Certification
Work Experience
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PROFESSOR OF SCIENCE COMMUNICATION | THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | JAN 2020 TO PRESENT
Teach classes in science journalism and science communications in the School of Media and Public Affairs. Mentor students and direct programming for environmental journalism internships. Lead education activities for a national consortium of 25 universities and colleges for Planet Forward and advise as senior editor. Mentor students and direct programming for environmental journalism internship and Planet Forward.
Senior Fellow for Socio-Environmental Understanding at the national socio-environmental synthesis center | 2015 to May 2020
Self-motivated, detail-oriented writer, strategic thinker, and producer who translates diverse scientific concepts, discoveries, and research processes to scientific and non-specialist audiences.
AUTHOR, JOURNALIST, AND EDITOR at Palmer media | 2000 to Present
Author of Hot, Hungry Planet: The Fight to Stop a Global Food Crisis in the Face of Climate Change (St. Martin’s Press; 2017). As a journalist, served as writer, researcher, editor and producer for major publications and short videos with circulation of 50,000 to over 1 million covering topics from team science, climate change, agriculture, and sustainability to food security, public health, and social sciences.
Significant Accomplishments
Writing
Energetic and meticulous writer, editor, producer, and researcher working effectively in a self-directed, fast-paced environment. Author of HOT, HUNGRY PLANET (St. Martin’s Press; 2017), awarded journalism prizes and fellowships from The Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center, the Pulitzer Center, Wilson Center, Vermont Law School, The Knight Center, the Solutions Journalism Network, and Society of Environmental Journalists.
communication
Effective at presenting in a range of settings and media – from interviewing senior leaders and scientists to writing for a lay audience; contributing to news, video, podcasts and radio coverage of published stories; delivering keynotes, moderating panels and media events; conveying written and verbal proposals; and writing and editing reports.
project management
Led and produced multi-disciplinary team resources including photographers, Web editors, and writers to successfully deliver editorial content. Strong ability to maintain focus and dedicate resources to complete projects on time and on budget. Superior organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and assignments while maintaining a sense of humor.
EDUCATOR
Lecturer and educator in the fields of science communication, science and environmental reporting, sustainability, narrative writing, and international reporting. Led seminars for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and interdisciplinary research teams in areas of science communication, communication strategy, storytelling, and audience analysis.
Public Speaking
The Contagion Next Time: Book Discussion with Boston University School of Sandro Galea, Dean and Robert A. Knox Professor, with the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health and the Pulitzer Center. Nov. 2, 2021.
State University of New York (SUNY) College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill, Writing for Self-Advocacy and Expression. Oct. 29, 2021.
University of Arizona, Honors Program. Calderwood Seminar in Environmental Writing, Oct. 27, 2021
Food Meets Science Conference, The Best Chef, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. What is Sustainability? Sept. 14, 2021.
Linda Hall Library and International Relations Council of Kansas City. Toward 10.9 Billion: Challenges of Global Population Growth, Jul 29, 2021.
American University, Conflict Cuisine. Coming to Peace with Nature, March 5, 2021.
Georgetown University, Walsh School of Foreign Service, Calderwood Lecture. Science, Technology and International Affairs, March 1, 2021.
Hiram College, Bissel Lecture Series, Science, Story and Wonder, February 23 and 25, 2021.
Ohio University, Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, Environmental Studies Graduate Colloquium. Science Communication, November 12, 2020.
The George Washington University, School of Media and Public Affairs, Conversations in Science Communication, 2020-2021.
University of Maryland, Center for Environmental Science, May 2020. Commencement address to students receiving master’s and doctoral degrees. Video archive.
University of Utah, College of Science ACCESS, July 2019. Seminar for freshmen in STEM.
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, April 23-26, 2019, Multiple seminars and keynote on campus covering environmental communication, journalism, and creative writing.
The University of Milan, Milan, Italy, Dec. 5, 2018, Environment and Sustainability, Culinary Mind Network, hosted by the Philosophy Department.
The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, Sept. 23-26, 2018, Multiple seminars on campus covering environmental studies, journalism, and creative writing.
The George Washington University Elliot School of International Affairs, Washington, D.C., April 20, 2018World Bank Roundtable: Sustainable Development and the Healthy Future of Food.
University of Iowa College of Public Health, Research Week Keynote speaker, Global food security for peace, agricultural development, health and prosperity, April 3-4, 2018.
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Seminar Under-reported and urgent stories on climate change, food security, and public health. November 29 and 30, 2017.
Global Food Security, May 18, 2017, Center for Security and International Studies, Washington, D.C
Professional Affiliations
National Association of Science Writers, Society of Environmental Journalists, Washington, D.C., Science Writers Association, American Society of Journalists and Authors
Fellowships
Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center Thematic Residency on Science for Development | 2018
Science Media Fellow, SESYNC | 2015 to 2020
Public Policy Scholar, The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars | 2014 to 2015
Summer Media Fellow, Vermont Law School, Environmental Law Center | 2013
Society of Environmental Journalists and University of Montana 20-20-20 Fellowship | 2010
Society of Environmental Journalists: Rivlin Fellowship | 2008
Knight Fellow, Knight Center for Specialized Journalism, University of Maryland | 2008
awards
Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting Travel Grants | 2017 & 2015
Solutions Journalism Grant | 2013
National Education Reporting Awards | 2013
Rhode Island Press Association | 2007 & 2008