Education
Master of Arts in Writing, concentration in science and medical writing. The Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore, Maryland.
Master of Science in Environmental Science and Master of Public Affairs. Indiana University, School of Public and Environmental Affairs; Bloomington, Indiana.
Bachelor of Science, Department of Natural Resources. Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Ithaca, New York.
Professional Experience
Freelance Environment and Science Writer. January 2012 – present. See Published Work for links to my articles on environment and health. Published stories in The Washington Post, Pacific Standard, Scientific American, High Country News and more.
Thesis Advisor, The Johns Hopkins University, Science and Medical Writing Program.September 2018 – present. Advise graduate students on story and sentence structure and flow, word choice and grammar to ensure their portfolio of work meets university standards.
Science Communication Coach, COMPASS. September 2015 – July 2019. Design and lead workshops training environmental and other scientists to communicate more effectively with journalists, policymakers and others.
Independent Consultant, Turnstone Consulting. April 2001 – December 2012. Independent consultant providing policy and program evaluation, project management, facilitation, and research and writing services to conservation groups, charitable foundations, and others. Issue areas of focus included marine fisheries, sustainable seafood, marine protected areas, and ecosystem-based management. See other work for samples of reports and projects.
Program Director/Vice-President, Marine Conservation Biology Institute (now Marine Conservation Institute). January 1997 – March 2001. Ran Washington DC office of nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to advancing the science of marine conservation biology. Organized and facilitated scientific workshops. Shared information with policymakers, scientists, and the public in popular and scientific literature.
Policy Analyst, Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund (now Earthjustice). July 1995 – October 1996. Evaluated the impacts of federal water projects and policies on wildlife habitat. Influenced legislation by analyzing legislative proposals, working with conservation allies and communicating information to Congress.
Evaluator/Senior Evaluator, U.S. General Accounting Office (now Government Accountability Office). January 1990 – July 1995. Designed, researched, and wrote reports and testimony for Congress evaluating federal environmental programs in the Interior Department, Army Corps of Engineers, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Public Affairs Assistant, The Ecological Society of America. September 1985- June 1987. Worked with scientists to increase scientific input in national environmental policymaking.
Affiliations
National Association of Science Writers – Member
Society of Environmental Journalists – Associate Member
American Conservation Film Festival – Selector, Past-President and Board Member