Science writing examples
Custom-Made Cells
Science
The field of synthetic biology is split regarding how to accomplish its goal of building microbes that generate pharmaceuticals, fuels, or other hydrocarbons. Researchers at the J. Craig Venter Institute are working to build entire genomes of small microbes from scratch. But nearly every other researcher in the field is taking a different course: designing a handful of customized genes to insert into existing organisms’ genomes.
Amyloid’s Functions Expand
David Eisenberg/UCLA
Evidence is mounting that amyloid-β, the peptide long seen as a possible cause of Alzheimer’s disease, plays non-disease-causing roles in the brain.
Changing Their Ways
Vanderbilt University
The economic troubles of the pharamceutical industry have been well documented. When asked to write about "careers in drug discovery," I picked a different sort of topic--one that others haven't given much attention--to cover.
Power From Motion
Gary Meek
Several research groups across the country are working on harnessing energy to power electronic devices from simple acts such as breathing or walking to the refrigerator.
Space Exploration Plan Under Fire
NASA
President Barack Obama proposed moving NASA away from a destination-driven focus to one of developing technology that will enable deeper space travel.
A Senate hearing this summer addressed not only concerns about the future of space exploration, but also the impact of this new direction on scientific research at the agency.
A Senate hearing this summer addressed not only concerns about the future of space exploration, but also the impact of this new direction on scientific research at the agency.
Matthew Platz Takes The Helm
C&EN
The National Science Foundation handed out more than $6 billion to fund basic science research in 2010. I interviewed the incoming head of the NSF's chemistry division for C&EN, the member publication of the American Chemical Society.
Safeguarding NASA's Moon Rocks
NASA
It’s been four decades since astronauts last visited the moon, yet scientists today are still piecing together the puzzle created by the samples collected. Stored in a veritable Fort Knox for moon rocks, the material helps provide clues to the moon’s formation and makeup.