 By Andrew Schulz Edited by Simon Bakke Working with animals is one of the most gratifying and frustrating things during experiments. As an elephant researcher, I get to interact up close with the trunk of the African elephant both domestically at Zoo Atlanta and in the field in South Africa. Working with elephants is something I’ve wanted to do ever since I visited South Africa with my mom nearly 10 years ago. My research involves understanding the capabilities and limitations of what an elephant trunk can accomplish. Elephants can pick up heavy logs and even pick up tortilla chips without breaking them… which I can’t even do. How does the elephant move around this completely muscular trunk, and what precisely can they do? This is one of the goals of my research, and we are studying elephants as they have the largest and longest “muscular hydrostat.”
Unfortunately, researching elephant trunks is immensely difficult. Elephants are strong and super smart, and very often you must go through several iterations of an experiment until you’re able to get the information you need...sometimes they even break or dismantle your experiment! Through this work I have been able to travel to to Bela Bela, Limpopo in South Africa to meet some elephants of the African Bush. I visited Adventures with Elephants and met a herd of 7 African elephants. In working with these elephants, we also hope to use engineering techniques for mitigating Human-Elephant Conflict.
Andrew Schulz is in his second year of graduate school pursuing a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech.
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 Scientists start their dizzying journey to understanding the complexity of our genome — but it's not without risks. By Pooja Kadaba Ranganath Edited by Simon Bakke Flies, humans, and tomatoes have approximately the same number of genes in their genomes — but humans are clearly a complex species when compared to flies or tomatoes. One aspect of the human genome that I study, called Long non-coding ribonucleic acid molecules (referred to as LncRNA), can potentially explain the complexity of human life! Our cells have deoxyribonucleic acid (referred to as DNA) and the DNA has a code, which makes RNA. Unlike regular RNA, non-coding RNAs don’t form proteins in our body. What’s sad and a bit unfortunate is that scientists have been ignoring these RNA molecules for decades, focusing solely on protein-coding genes, which accounts for 2-3% of our DNA. So why has 98% of our genome been ignored by researchers?
Scientists seem to have a problem with these non-coding RNAs, as they are very different between species, unlike proteins that tend to be similar even across very different species. This fact raises some questions: Why study these when they aren’t conserved? How do we study non-coding RNA’s function in humans, or how do we relate any of the research done on long non-coding RNAs in model organisms like flies, mice, or zebrafish with humans? Identifying mutations in long non-coding RNAs isn’t easy, and again, the question of “conserveness” comes up; how can we connect the mutation identified in, for example, a fly’s LncRNAs, with that of humans? My understanding is that sequences of these RNAs are usually not the same between species and yes, that makes it devilishly more complex to study. But maybe that’s the clue to digging deeper into these hidden RNA species. We forget that our bodies are made from trillions of cells and every cell contains the same DNA with exactly the same sequence. So, why do immune cells respond differently to signals than a nerve cell when they have the same DNA sequence? We need to look beyond just the DNA sequence to understand the complex mechanisms in an organism. Recent studies have confirmed that LncRNAs add an extra layer of confusion to the existing knowledge, and they are linked to various cancers, cardiovascular diseases and much more. In recent years, a few studies have identified LncRNAs as potential biomarkers for these diseases, and in most cases, they are involved in gene expression — or, regulating which genes “show up”.
Isn’t it the other way around? The riskier the project is, the harder it is for scientists to publish results that demonstrate something important, which could further take away incentives to study potentially very important aspects of the human genome. This raises a lot of concerns in the science field and the need for such “risky” research to thrive and exist. Hopefully, more research groups will start working on it and the collaborative efforts between researchers and doctors will get LncRNAs into business, which will eventually help treat patients with diseases we can’t address with our current knowledge of our genome. Pooja Kadaba Ranganath is Ph.D. student in biological sciences at Illinois State University. Her research focuses on the role of long non-coding RNAs in Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) immunity. She's interested in understanding the role of the innate immune system in tumor metastasis. Outside of research, she's involved in different outreach opportunities and SciComm has become a part of her graduate journey. During her free time, she does science writing for the general public, spending time outside camping and has a serious case of wanderlust.
By Amy Aines, CEO of Damianakes Communications When it comes to getting your ideas heard, the words you choose and your timing can make all the difference. So can using influence to bring people into your ideas. In part two of this blog (read part one), you’ll get practical tips on how to frame your ideas and build support for getting them adopted. My motto is Words Matter. When it comes to expressing your ideas there are some words that you should never say. They shut people down. Don’t offer up an idea and add “that’s the way we always have done it”. Another taboo is bringing up the name of the last company you worked for every time you offer up an idea. I know a man who spent decades as one of the top scientists at Dupont. When he joined the leadership team at a company I work with, he often got the eye roll because he prefaced his ideas with “When I was at Dupont.” It’s ok to reference your past experience. People value wisdom gained elsewhere. I do it by saying something like: “I remember considering a similar decision a few years ago.” Then I focus on the rationale and what I learned from the prior situation to set the stage for my recommendations. Saying too many words doesn’t land well either. Have you ever heard someone make a suggestion that went on and on with a paragraph of preamble and so much description that the idea got lost in all the words? When you want to make a point, make your point. Then stop. Be as concise as possible. In our book Championing Science – Communicating Your Ideas to Decision Makers, we call this the practice of extracting the essence. It’s about finding the fewest possible words to make your point clearly. First you have to lay a foundation for understanding your idea. Later you can get into all the details. This can be especially hard for scientists who live in a world full of detail.
All of your past history with people colors the way they interpret what you say. When someone doesn’t seem to be listening, that may be because your words have landed in emotionally charged territory that shuts down their ability to hear. Think about performance reviews. And yes, this does happen at home a lot. Especially if you have teenagers! Hard conversations need neutral language. Use clear, simple, common language that doesn’t leave room for misinterpretation. When it comes to hard conversations, timing is everything.  Find a time when your listeners can be receptive. Finding the optimal time to express your ideas can improve your chances of success. Even for the simplest of ideas. I remember getting so frustrated with my daughter Alyssa – whose is now my wonderful 29-year old – when she was 14. The conversation would go something like this: “Good morning sweetie, why don’t you plan to be home by 3:00 today because you have an orthodontist appointment. She’d mumble ok. Twenty minutes later, she’d appear in the kitchen dressed and ready for school and have no memory of our conversation. It took a while, but I finally learned that just because I’m wide awake and my brain is in gear first thing in the morning doesn’t mean the people that I love are ready for important reminders or conversations the minute they open their eyes. Still I bet if I had said I had a free afternoon and suggested taking her shopping for new jeans, she would have heard me! Pick a time when your listeners can focus on what you want to discuss. It helps to ask specifically – do you have ten minutes to talk about an idea I’d like to share? Let them tell you when they want to have the conversations. Then be sure you get your listener’s engaged attention. Making eye contact will help you know that they are listening attentively. Timing matters! Jumping in too soon can backfire, too. A few weeks ago, a client of mine was venting her frustration. She had made a recommendation that no one supported. Has that ever happened to you? She works for a company with a promising new drug. She was at the table with four colleagues planning the agenda for an employee meeting. They were considering when to have the celebration of World Sickle Cell day. She eagerly recommended that they kick off the meeting with the celebration to get everyone inspired and motivated before diving in to the business updates. Good idea, right? No one agreed. The conversation continued and about ten minutes later, the woman who runs their patient advocacy programs, voiced the very same recommendation. This time, everyone agreed. Why was she heard when my client wasn’t? Timing! And group dynamics. Everyone needs to settle into the topic of a meeting. That often takes a few minutes, especially if attendees have just come from a meeting on a totally different subject. My client raised her hand with the answer too soon. You can imagine that she felt defeated and ignored. She may have been tempted to make a snarky comment like “I said that ten minutes ago”, but of course she knew better. If this happens to you, it’s so easy to just shut down. Instead, take a deep breath and learn from it. Reflect on your physical presence, voice and words and of course, your timing. And don’t let the situation keep you from voicing your ideas the next time. What about timing when it comes to big ideas, the kind that you put into a proposal to a program sponsor or that become a major initiative. Big ideas need more time to get traction. In our book, Championing Science we outline 11 tenets. These are principles that we believe help you effectively communicate your ideas to decision makers. Principle #9 is Influence Patiently.  Influence is a process, not a one-time event. Over the past seven years, I’ve watched my husband and co-author Roger influence patiently. He’s become very good at enlisting and uniting people inside and outside Lawrence Livermore Lab– thinking together how to solve the climate technology problem and fill the research gaps. He does that by establishing a shared sense of purpose. He builds coalitions and relationships by listening and understanding the capabilities that others can contribute. He invites people into the idea. Many scientists are good at advocating for ideas – explaining them with strong rationale, asserting them with confidence that their ideas are right. That style of influence is useful, too. But painting a vision that inspires others, can help you establish the environment where your ideas will be well received when you voice them. So, the next time you have the opportunity to voice an idea, remember to think about your physical presence. Find your commanding voice, choose your words with your listeners in mind, consider your timing and influence patiently. And never forget that your ideas matter! Amy Aines is CEO of Damianakes Communications and co-author of Championing Science – Communicating Your Ideas to Decision Makers. A messaging strategist, speaker coach, and trainer, Amy helps scientists and technologists advance their innovative ideas through clear, compelling communication. She specializes in working with graduate students, postdocs and career scientists in biotech, healthcare, telecommunications and technology sectors. Reach her at amy@championingscience.com
By Amy Aines, CEO of Damianakes Communications You may be surprised to find that what you say matters less than how you say it. More than 250 attendees at the annual scholarship luncheon for the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory Women’s Association learned what it takes to create a strong, engaging presence and how to use voice, words and timing to gain support for their ideas.
Since that trip to Washington, my work has taken me a lot of places. Almost always I’ve been in the orbit of scientists and engineers and technologists. So, it’s no surprise that much of my career was spent working in a man’s world. Especially in telecom and the heyday of the wireless industry. Rather than focus on gender difference, I chose to focus on learning as much as I could and how I could add value. Adopting that mindset early on was in large part thanks to my parents who gave me the gift of believing in myself. Over many dinner conversations, my dad shared his wisdom. He taught me that no matter what someone’s title or position is– how much power they have – what floor their office is on –, at the end of the day we are all just people – doing our jobs. Each of us have ideas that can add value When I was growing up, he was fond of saying, “The cream rises to the top.” What he meant by that was that if you work hard and get really good at something, you’ll go places. People will need your expertise. And they will want to listen to your ideas. Each of us have ideas that can add value! In science and problem solving, one idea is often built on the back of another. Your voice matters! In this two-part blog, adapted from my recent keynote, I share some pointers and strategies on how to show up, speak up and get your ideas heard. I want to outline four things to tune in to, starting with your physical presence.
I believe words matter. I’ve dedicated my entire 40+-year career to helping people and organizations find the right words. I don’t believe that a full 93% of meaning comes from body language and tone of voice. That said, I do agree that how you show up matters a lot. When you want your ideas to be heard, you have to exude confidence Confidence is contagious. When people sense that you are confident, they are more likely to be confident in you. So, what does confidence look like? It’s tall posture. It’s about the space you take up in your chair or the room. It’s expansive gestures. Draping your arm across the back of a chair. It’s jumping up to the whiteboard to draw out your idea. Think about the advice you’ve heard about what to do if you are out hiking and run into a mountain lion. Do you shrink? No! You try to appear as big and forceful as you can. The same principle applies. Taking up space is important when you want your voice to be heard. One reason it’s challenging to get your ideas heard is that people don’t listen fully – especially in meetings. That’s because they are often thinking about what they will say next. Your voice has to capture attention. You have to find your commanding voice. I gave this advice to my youngest daughter Erica recently. She is 25 and with her face full of freckles and energetic demeanor, she looks like she could be 17. She loves kids and animals. She’s planning to teach elementary school after she finishes her master’s in education. Last fall she was working at an afterschool program and having trouble getting large groups of kids to listen and follow her instructions. The other thing to know about Erica is that she started barrel racing when she was 12. And she has a very well trained six-year old chocolate lab. Erica knows how to get horses and dogs to behave! So, I simply reminded her that she has a commanding voice when she needs to. So now she just imagines that she’s looking out at a big litter of puppies – instead of kids – and she finds her “I’m in charge” voice.
It’s why Elizabeth Holmes the world’s youngest female billionaire and former CEO of Theranos – who fell from grace over false product claims about revolutionizing blood testing – intentionally spoke in an affected voice. She lowered her voice to an unusually deep baritone when her real voice sounded more like that of a young woman. This is how she tried to find her commanding voice. The Power of Your Authentic Voice I don’t believe you have to fake your voice to get people to listen to your ideas. When you believe your ideas add value, you naturally speak with more conviction and authority. You speak up in your own authentic voice. Keep in mind that you can also sound more authoritative if you speak slowly and deliberately. Sometimes we rush what we say out of excitement or nerves. That won’t serve you well when you want to get your ideas heard. The other voice to tune in to is your inner voice – that voice inside your head. We all have one. What are you saying to yourself? How much do you value your own ideas?Are you struggling with self-doubt? If you have to, give yourself a pep talk to encourage yourself to speak up and offer your ideas. Remember, your ideas matter! It also helps to think through what you plan to say. The next installment takes up the topic of your words. Read Part 2 here. Amy Aines is CEO of Damianakes Communications and co-author of Championing Science – Communicating Your Ideas to Decision Makers. A messaging strategist, speaker coach, and trainer, Amy helps scientists and technologists advance their innovative ideas through clear, compelling communication. She specializes in working with graduate students, postdocs and career scientists in biotech, healthcare, telecommunications and technology sectors. Reach her at amy@championingscience.com
Two-part blog by high school students involved in Science & Us, a student-led organization helping teens discover science communication, policy, media, and related fields. By Katherine Huang, Founder and Executive Director When I was eleven, I was obsessed with Percy Jackson, a book series about the adventures of a teenage demigod. While watching the movie, I thought Apollo was pretty good-looking, and ended up on a video montage of Greek male models. What captured my attention, though, was the Greek song in the background. Looking up a translation didn’t feel like enough — instead, the lyrics became a puzzle I was determined to solve. Although three years of poring over Greek news articles and chatting with natives online didn’t make me fluent, I realized that when you understand another language, another world opens up to you. At the time, I was also obsessed with Tumblr, home to communities of bloggers who shared my interests, from Percy Jackson to languages. I wanted to express myself with a custom blog design, so I pored over thousands of lines of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code from existing themes until I could write my own. When I understood these languages, another world opened up to me. During high school, I explored science. I analyzed potential antidotes against botulinum neurotoxin (the “most poisonous poison” and the active ingredient in Botox). I built models to classify DNA sequences as protein-coding or noncoding, a crucial step in understanding our genome. At science fairs, in the span of a few minutes, I might explain my bioinformatics research to a curious electrical engineer, to a five-year-old, and to a scientist who works with the developer of the software I used. It’s demanding, but there’s nothing like the moment when a grin of understanding lights up the kid’s eyes, or when the engineer, who’s forgotten most of high school biology, has an “aha!” moment. It clicks, and I can see another world opening up to them. I’ve realized that it isn’t enough to explain science only to scientists. Not everyone needs to be a scientist, but science impacts all of us. Understanding it is crucial to making informed decisions about the things we care about, and that means we need a better bridge between science… and us. Yet while there are thousands of activities helping people my age learn STEM, there’s nothing to help young people communicate it. So last year, at seventeen, I started Science and Us. Read on to learn about the impact we’re making.  By Parin Shaik, Leadership Team Member Last June, I attended the first Science and Us event. Well, my parents signed eighth-grade me up for this high school event. I sat in the car for 45 minutes on a Saturday morning, sweating and wondering, “Why am I going to an event that’s probably about writing lab reports?” I spend most of my time rehearsing in the auditorium and in theatre classes, not studying science. Though it seemed like my parents had carved out three boxes for my future — doctor, engineer, or lawyer — I’ve never been drawn to anatomy or the way robots function. Instead, I’m drawn to the characters of graphic novels and anime, especially my favorite: Sailor Moon. My notebook margins are safe havens for characters I obsess over and sketch to life (which may have taken a toll on my biology grade). During the first presentation at Science and Us, that’s exactly what I was doing: drawing in the free notebooks we got. Then, we moved into a workshop room, and the speaker pulled up — of all things — her Twitter page! Finally, someone speaking my language. In all the hours I’d spent scrolling through Twitter, I never realized you could use it to communicate science. For once, my hands jotted down notes instead of doodles. I began actually caring about the event and scicomm mediums, such as podcasting and tweeting. By the end of the day, when the organizers announced that they were recruiting for their team, I immediately applied and became an organizer. After being accepted, the once-introverted me began speaking up in weekly conference calls and emailing scary adults. However, I wasn’t always confident I was mature enough to fulfill the responsibilities. Whenever that happened, I remembered that Science and Us had opened up a new world for me: a world in which Sailor Moon and photosynthesis could coexist. I wanted to make that change in others’ lives too, so I persisted. Although I still haven’t figured out how to end calls non-awkwardly, I can say that Science and Us has changed not only how I think about science, but also me as a person. I have learned to embrace my diverse interests and expand my horizon of careers: currently, I am considering working in the neuroscience field and perhaps conveying research through art. Note from Katherine Huang: Science and Us is a team of high schoolers spreading the knowledge that changed our lives. When we help teens communicate STEM topics, we’re empowering them to approach complex issues and solve difficult problems.
We open up opportunities for youth to fuse their diverse interests into fulfilling careers. Interdisciplinary fields like science media, policy, and outreach are essential, yet rarely mentioned in schools. Parin and I are lucky to have discovered those opportunities, but finding a place for STEM in your life shouldn’t come down to luck. So this summer, we’re writing Stories of Science and Us, featuring journeys and advice from a diverse group of people who connect STEM and the public. You can get involved by supporting our Indiegogo campaign at igg.me/at/scienceandus. If you’re an educator or student, we’d love to know how we can make Stories a valuable resource for you—let us know what you want to see in the book at scienceandus.org/stories. If you’d like to be interviewed or have other questions, reach out to contact@scienceandus.org. We hope to hear from you!  BY DAVID SAMUEL SHIFFMAN Damian Davalos shares wildlife and wild places through livestreaming his hikes. Originally published in American Scientist The environment is threatened like never before in human history, and some environmentalists worry that outdoor activities that lead to increased support for wildlife conservation are less popular among the current generation of children than staying inside and playing around on the internet. The concerns about this so-called “nature deficit disorder” have always been overblown, but it’s also important to note that you can learn a lot about wildlife and wild places from the internet! Some online educators are taking advantage of emerging technologies such as livestreaming to bring nature right to you. “I take my audience outdoors and show people wildlife in its own environment, live over the internet, using multiple video cameras,” says Damian Davalos, who uses the livestream software Twitch and a custom-built, backpack-mounted rig to livestream his outdoor adventures. “Viewers get a wide-angle, first person view of the area as we walk around, and then a closer look through a large zoom lens on a DSLR [digital single-lens reflex] camera when I want to show specific animals, insects, plants, geological features, and so on. While I’m walking around in the field, viewers from all over the world can talk to me via a text-based chat, ask me questions, and get answers in real-time.”  A still from one of Damien Davalos's livestreamed nature hikes on Twitch, showing his perspective of the trail in front of him. Davalos uses a backpack-mounted rig to offer this viewpoint. https://www.twitch.tv/damianexplores Experts who focus on using internet tools for public education about wildlife are impressed with Davalos’s efforts. “It makes sense that a platform that unlocks the world of gaming through observation can serve as a similar bridge to exploring the outdoors,” says Danielle Brigida, Acting Deputy Director of Digital Strategy for the U.S. Department of the Interior. “Damian’s evident passion for finding and watching birds is contagious, and it's not a far cry from watching someone stream their gameplay. Outdoor recreation often lends itself to documentation, and many platforms these days have so much potential when it comes to making adventures accessible. As part of my job, I'm always looking for healthy and safe ways to connect online and offline experiences. I'm intrigued to see how others will join in growing the interest in the incredible wildlife and public lands we can have in this country." Carrying a 45-pound backpack full of fragile, expensive technology is hard work, but Davalos loves every minute of interacting with the community he’s built. “My favorite part is the community of people that has come together to support me,” he says. “My viewers are excited to see wildlife they may not have seen before, and they ask all sorts of questions about what we’re seeing, which leads to great discussions. A viewer told me they had never been birdwatching, but after watching the stream a few times, decided to invest in a pair of binoculars and a guidebook, and they were learning all of the names of the species in their area. Since then, many others have shared with me that they started birdwatching or taking pictures after watching the stream, and it’s an incredible feeling every time.”  Goslings seen on one of Davalos's livestreamed nature hikes. Davalos uses a large zoom lens on DSLR camera to show viewers close-up looks at specific wildlife, plants, and geological features. https://www.twitch.tv/damianexplores Davalos hopes that his efforts will go beyond giving his viewers a few minutes of pretty scenery. “Through this interactive, real-time experience, I want to encourage in my viewers an interest in nature that leads to passion, and a passion that leads to action: to investigate, to explore, and to protect,” he says. One of his goals is to contribute to scientific outreach by helping other scientists livestream their field research to his audience.
 Unconference Model continues for SCIENCE TALK '20Greetings All!
Science Talk wants to remain responsive to the needs and interests of our conference attendees. So, once again, we will use a modified unconference model for SCIENCE TALK '20. Our conference-unconference hybrid is similar to a traditional conference in that the Programming Committee will continue to organize the overall conference schedule, coordinate details, and invite Keynote speakers and panelists. However, like an unconference, the specific programming (the who and the what) is initially up to the people who will come to the conference. This puts the attendee at the center of the conference - you decide what sessions best serve your needs, and together we will create a dynamic program. Here’s how it will work:
Who is involved:
We are making this change in the hopes that by opening up the program to proposals from the community new ideas (the best ideas) and people will surface, and keep the conference fresh and exciting to as many as possible. We hope this allows our community to develop and grow in a vibrant and inclusive way that benefits the entire science communications field. There will be questions. As they come in, we will answer them as best we can and create an FAQ as a resource to everyone.
One of under-appreciated joys of being a denizen of a STEM field: you get to apply your knowledge to investigate real-world answers to questions as fantastical as you can dream up.
Ever wanted to know what Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory would cost if you had to power it, pay your Oompa Loompas, and install a flying glass elevators? You probably haven't. But the point is that, with a little curiosity, you can figure it out. From the infographic creator, Jeremy Wright of Advanced Technology Services: The motivation to create this infographic was based on the 48 year anniversary of the film being made (1971). As a team, we brainstormed creative infographic ideas that related to manufacturing, STEM and education, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was the clear winner. We wanted to create a fun, engaging take on manufacturing in that movie vs real life today that would peak students interest and provide a little factual knowledge to share with their family and friends. Today, the Wonka plant can still be a helpful illustration of the true cost of the industry.
Courtesy of Advanced Technology Services
About the author: Jeremy Wright is the Director of Product Management at Advanced Technology Services and is a recognized expert in the field of industrial machinery lubrication management and reliability. He is a proven technical educator and consultant – leading the development of consulting programs and methodologies for many of the world’s top manufacturing sites. He is also active in numerous professional organizations, including standards organizations, with the purpose of driving reliability to the forefront of many industries.
Big takeaways from the annual science communication conference for scientists, journalists, multimedia creators and more — in pictures. Written by Bruce Kirchoff, Department of Biology, UNCG. Illustrations by Jon Wagner, East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District, Portland, OR. Edited by Simon Bakke. Science Talk (#SciTalk19) is an annual two-day conference that brings together scientists and science communication professionals to improve scientific communication. I was there to talk about the work the University of North Carolina at Greensboro University Speaking Center is doing to improve scientific communication, and to promote this type of work at other universities. In the afternoon of the second day I met Jon Wagner, who was documenting the conference with drawings and agreed to co-author this review, as the illustrator.  Science Talk began with Joe Palca, a science correspondent for NPR who introduced an important theme for the conference: building relationships. “We have to build relationships so that when we talk to people, they will listen to us.” As science writer and biologist Maryam Zaringhalam explained, scientists often operate from what the science communication field calls the “knowledge deficit model.” For instance, scientists often assume that people who do not believe in global warming just don’t have enough information, but surveys of climate change skeptics tell us otherwise. Climate change deniers often have just as much factual knowledge as those who accept the human origins of global warming. The difference only appears when you ask them if they accept human-caused climate change. Their position is based on their identity, not their knowledge. It is as if you asked them “Are you a good conservative?” Denying climate change has become a part of their conservative identity. This is why Joe Palca, and many others, emphasize relationships, not facts, as the force necessary to change opinions. Competence and warmth are the two most important factors in science communication. 
(1) have a clear purpose you want to address, (2) find an online vehicle that is suited to your purpose, (3) expand to other vehicles slowly, (4) create community guidelines to make sure the members feel safe, (5) be sure that you want to be a long-term member of the community as you will be spending a lot of time there. Later, Sarah Myhre spoke passionately about her experience as a female climate scientist and the need to speak out in the face of the forces that seek to silence our voices.  The poster session at the end of the day provided an opportunity to promote the work we do at the University Speaking Center in teaching good science communication. For the past two years Speaking Center faculty and I have offered scientific communication training in a variety of formats. At Science Talk, I advocated for a model of collaborative work between graduate schools, communication centers, and science faculty in order to train the next generation of scientists.  The second day began with break-out workshops. I met Jon, who was illustrating the conference with these fantastic drawings, at the workshop run by Compass. Compass is an organization that helps scientists learn to communicate to the public and decision makers. Their workshop led us through an exercise to articulate our goals as leaders in science communication. I took this opportunity to formalize my goal of improving scientific communication by graduate students so that they will pass these skills on to their own students in the future. I also identified a number of potential champions of this approach, and formulated three immediate goals, which I am currently carrying out.  A series of short talks followed the coffee break: great science books, storytelling for science in Puerto Rico, Space in your Face (Google it), improving communication between doctors and patients, and the excellent work of the National Center for Science Education. Throughout the presentations, we heard again and again that the best way to communicate science is to be yourself and relate honestly to your audience. Data does not convince, but personal connections can. The conference ended with a keynote presentation by YouTube’s Physics Girl, Dianna Cowern. Dianna gave an engaging, enthusiastic presentation punctuated by clips from some of her videos. Her message was that to create interest in science you need curiosity, novelty and excitement. Although her platform is YouTube, these principles apply to any type of science communication. It encouraged me to know that one of her two most important influences was her high school science teacher, who was at Science Talk to see her presentation. Her other influence was our own Kiki Sanford, who has produced and hosted the podcast This Week in Science since 1999. We should never underestimate the difference we can make in peoples’ lives.  I will end with some goals for the future, as outlined by Jennifer Cutraro of the Kavli Foundation: As science communicators we need to focus on the needs of the communities we serve, not just ourselves; we need to help scientists see the value of scientific communication; and we need to work to make the Sci Comm community as diverse and inclusive as possible. The Science Talk community is taking important steps in all of these areas.
The dates for Science Talk 2020 have been set for March 26 – 27 in Portland, OR. Maybe I will see you there!
By Bernardo Traversari and Alexandra Gonzalez-Van Wart
Edited by Simon Bakke Traducción al español aquí
I was always interested in science, but I did not know that being a scientist was a [possible career] I could pursue. I only knew medicine as a scientific career, so when my father was diagnosed with depression, I decided I wanted to study the way the brain works. Since my father was treated by a psychiatrist, I initially went to college hoping to go into psychiatry. I met my first scientist in my freshman year biology class; this professor became a mentor to me. She insisted I participate in a summer research program, and after that program a door opened to a new world.
How did you decide to move from research to science communication? It was pretty accidental! I didn’t know that science communication was a professional field in the sciences. When I returned to Puerto Rico, I had an urge to use my knowledge and resources to help advance science at home. In 2006, I met Daniel Colón-Ramos, the founder of Ciencia Puerto Rico (Science Puerto Rico). Daniel told me that he had created a webpage - and remember that this is still when things like Facebook hadn’t taken off yet - where people interested in science in Puerto Rico could connect. The idea of connecting scientific concepts with Puerto Rican identity and culture was very exciting to me, and I realized that this is something I wanted to do. I began working with “El Nuevo Día” (The New Day), the biggest newspaper in Puerto Rico, to let scientists publish scientific articles in the paper in an accessible and context-relevant manner. Eventually I became more involved with the organization, and now I head most of its projects on science communication, education, and outreach.
First, science communication: we collaborate using newspaper articles, podcasts, videos, etc. Second, education in schools: we have focused on how to teach science in Puerto Rico at the middle school level. This is a crucial point where many students lose interest in science and math or start failing in these subjects. Our star project is “Ciencia al Servicio de Puerto Rico” (Science at the Service of Puerto Rico). The project joins local middle school teachers with professional scientists to train them on teaching strategies using project-based learning. Lastly, we focus on training young scientists in more than just research. Ciencia Puerto Rico really tries to connect science with Puerto Rican community and culture. Science provides a way to develop critical thinking and problem solving, and as such has something for everyone.
What is the importance of cultural diversity in the academic world, mainly in countries like the United States? How can we improve, and what are the challenges? I think the conversation about diversity has lost its meaning. It should be more about equity than diversity. Everyone should have the ability to expand on their knowledge. There are minority groups that have historically been underrepresented, abused by, and oppressed by science. If the goal is to benefit all and obtain excellence, then we need people with different points of view, ideas, and cultural experiences. Cultural experiences are important to how we see the world. I grew up on a farm in Puerto Rico and that shapes how I experience the world. If we all think the same, ideas do not progress as much.
Increasing the numbers of minority students or researchers does not make the system more diverse. It is not a matter of numbers, it is a matter of how we change the system to be more inclusive and equal. I am optimistic because I see the results in my work.
Should the future of Hispanic scientists concentrate on diversifying academia in countries like the United States, or should efforts be focused on pushing for more opportunities in Latin America? Should we invest our energy in our own countries or in others? I don’t think they are mutually exclusive. If you can and want to do both, you should. We should do what we can with the resources we have available to us. Science has a fundamental role in keeping society healthy, and countries in Latin America should invest in science. Not only monetarily, but by giving science a place in our culture. When people think of Puerto Rico they think of the music and food, but no one thinks of science - no one thinks of science when they think of culture. There needs to be a cultural investment. My efforts focus on both ends, trying to do what I can so that my institution in the United States can be more inclusive, but also using my position to contribute to Puerto Rican culture. Do you have a message for young scientists interested in entering the field of science communication? How can we learn from you to be better scientists and communicators? I would rather learn from you! I think I learn more from my students than they do from me. I try to think about where I can make unique contributions. What is my advantage, where can I add value? Sometimes, people might minimize our experiences and the value of our identity. I think it is important to embrace that and use it to our advantage. Don’t fear owning your identity, owning your experiences, and stepping into the power of who you are. Ciencia, Cultura e Identidad: una entrevista con la Dra. Mónica Feliú-Mójer
Recientemente tuve la oportunidad de entrevistar a la Dra. Feliú-Mójer, neurobióloga y comunicadora en las ciencias. Hablamos sobre cómo empoderarse de la identidad de uno es la clave para hacer de la ciencia algo inclusivo y accesible para todos. Para la Dra. Feliú-Mójer, conectar a la ciencia con la comunidad y la cultura abre todo tipo de puertas.
Quería comenzar con un poco de su historia personal. ¿Cómo decidió perseguir una carrera en las ciencias? Yo nací y fui criada en un área rural de Puerto Rico. Eso significa que mi campo de juego era la naturaleza; teníamos muchos animales y mucho verde a mi alrededor. Siempre me interesó la ciencia, pero no sabía que ser científica era una posibilidad - solo conocía la medicina como una carrera científica. Cuando le diagnosticaron a mi padre con depresión, me interese mucho en el cerebro. Como a mi padre le trataba un psiquiatra, fui a la universidad a estudiar medicina con la idea de ser psiquiatra. La primera científica que conocí fue mi profesora de biología de primer año; ella se convirtió en una mentora. Ella me insistió participar en un programa de investigación durante el verano, y este programa me abrió un mundo entero. ¿Como hizo el cambio a esta carrera de comunicación en las ciencias? ¡Fue bastante accidental! Yo no sabía que existía un campo profesional de comunicación en las ciencias. Cuando regresaba a Puerto Rico, tenía un anhelo de utilizar mi conocimiento y recursos para ayudar el avance de la ciencia en el país. Como por coincidencia en el 2006 conocí a Daniel Colón-Ramos, el fundador de “Ciencia Puerto Rico.” El me conto que tenía una página web - y recuerda que en este tiempo cosas como Facebook no eran lo que son hoy - en donde gente interesada en la ciencia en Puerto Rico se podían conectar. Esta idea de conectar conceptos científicos con la identidad y la cultura puertorriqueña me emocionó mucho, y me di cuenta que esto era algo que quería hacer. Empecé a trabajar con “El Nuevo Dia,” el diario más circulado en Puerto Rico, creando un enlace para que científicos pudieran publicar sus hallazgos en el diario de manera accesible y relevante para la comunidad. Eventualmente me involucre más con la organización y hoy en día encabezo la mayoría de sus proyectos de comunicación y educación científica. ¿Cómo ha crecido Ciencia Puerto Rico? ¿Como hace la organización para empoderar a científicos Hispanoamericanos a través de su cultura? Al comienzo, Ciencia Puerto Rico era un grupo de voluntarios y estudiantes. Expandimos una vez que la comunidad empezó a expresar sus necesidades; intentamos tomar el pulso de las necesidades de la comunidad científica y actuar ante ello. Aunque la comunidad es bastante diversa, las conexiones locales son muy fuertes. De manera resumida, Ciencia Puerto Rico se enfoca en tres áreas principales. Primero, la comunicación de la ciencia: colaboramos con periódicos, podcasts, etc. para mejorar el acceso a información científica. Segundo, la educación a nivel escolar: nos enfocamos en cómo se enseña la ciencia en Puerto Rico en la secundaria. Este es un punto crucial en donde los niños empiezan a fracasar en las matemáticas y ciencias experimentales, y como resultado pueden perder interés en ellas. Nuestro proyecto estrella es “Ciencia al Servicio de Puerto Rico.” El proyecto une a maestros de escuela intermedia con científicos profesionales para capacitarse en estrategias de aprendizaje basada en proyectos. Por último, nos enfocamos en capacitar a científicos jóvenes más allá de la investigación. Ciencia Puerto Rico trata de conectar a la ciencia con la comunidad y cultura puertorriqueña. La ciencia provee una manera de desarrollar pensamiento crítico y de resolver problemas, y por ello es algo útil para todos. ¿Cuál es la importancia de diversidad cultural en el mundo académico, especialmente en países como los EE. UU.? ¿Cómo podemos mejorar en esta área, y cuáles son los problemas asociados a obtener un mayor nivel de diversidad? Creo que la conversación acerca de la diversidad ha perdido un poco el significado. El enfoque debería de ser en la equidad. Todo el mundo [tiene] la capacidad de aportar al conocimiento. Hay grupos de minorías que históricamente han sido subrepresentados, abusados, y oprimidos por la ciencia. Si el propósito de la ciencia es beneficiar a todos y alcanzar la excelencia, es importante tener representación de personas con distintos puntos de vista, ideas, y experiencias culturales. Las experiencias culturales tienen un valor en como percibimos al mundo. Si todos piensan lo mismo, las ideas no progresan. ¿Es optimista acerca de un posible cambio en cuanto a la diversidad en el mundo académico, o necesitamos hacer un mayor esfuerzo para que este cambio suceda? Ha habido unos cambios positivos, pero siempre se puede hacer más. No es solamente responsabilidad de las minorías y a los grupos oprimidos el terminar con su opresión. Esto es una responsabilidad de todos. Las personas que no son minorías tienen que interesarse y darse cuenta de que están en la posición de poder hacer un cambio. El que aumentes el número de minorías no le hace más diverso al sistema. No es cuestión de números, es cuestión de cómo cambiamos al sistema para ser más inclusivo y equitativo. ¿Cree que futuros científicos hispanoamericanos deberían enfocarse en incrementar la diversidad académica en países como los EE. UU.? ¿O deberíamos concentrar nuestras energías en crear más oportunidades de investigación en nuestros propios países? Pienso que ambas metas no son mutuamente exclusivas. Si puedes y quieres hacer ambas cosas, entonces hazlas. Tienes que hacer lo que puedas con los recursos que tienes a tu disposición. La ciencia tiene un rol fundamental en mantener saludable a la sociedad. Los países Latinoamericanos deberían de invertir en las ciencias no solo monetariamente, pero dándole a la ciencia un lugar en nuestras culturas. Nadie piensa en la ciencia cuando piensan en la cultura puertorriqueña; piensan más que nada en la música y comida. Hay que hacer una inversión cultural. Mis esfuerzos se han enfocado en ambos países; trato de hacer lo que yo pueda para que mi institución en los EE. UU. sea más inclusiva, pero también uso mi posición para aportar a la cultura puertorriqueña. ¿Tiene algún mensaje para científicos jóvenes entrando al campo de comunicación científica? ¿Cómo podemos aprender de usted a ser mejores científicos y comunicadores? ¡Yo prefiero aprender de ustedes! Yo siento aprendo más de mis estudiantes que ellos de mí. Trata de identificar cuáles son tus contribuciones únicas a la sociedad; ¿dónde puedes añadir valor a la misma? A veces minimizamos la importancia de nuestras experiencias y nuestra identidad. Sé orgulloso de estas, y reconoce el poder de quién eres tú.
Dr. Feliú-Mójer obtained her PhD in Neurobiology from Harvard University in 2013. Besides being the Director of Communications & Science Outreach for Ciencia Puerto Rico, she is also the Associate Director of Diversity & Communication Training for iBiology and Director of Outreach for the Yale Ciencia Academy (Yale Science Academy). She has been featured extensively on a variety of science shows and podcasts, and has given talks on the importance of cultural relevance in science communication at the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos, Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) 2016 National Conference and the 2018 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting. More information on her work, visit her personal webpage at https://www.monicafeliu.me/.
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