Welp. 2021 didn't really turn out like we might have hoped, did it? Lots of continued Covid-19 and other global problems seemed to dominate the year. Meanwhile, I was busy learning a new job in clinical/translational research and global health. Accordingly, I allowed myself the space I needed to not worry about updating my science … Continue reading The space to see more clearly
Author: Erin Gerecke
Endings and new beginnings: Books, science, and life
I haven't posted anything to my blog in quite some time. I forgive myself for this on many levels. Over the past many months: I was busy teaching science in a Covid-19 world, full of stressful online and socially distantly adapted strategies for faculty and students alikeI was supporting myself and others who were dealing … Continue reading Endings and new beginnings: Books, science, and life
“Unconferencing During a Pandemic”
I wrote an outside piece recently about my experiences with attending various virtual science and science communication conferences during the first months of our Covid-19-disrupted world. As a science educator, I was a bit of an outsider at each one, but I was able to participate and learn quite a bit, though it isn’t quite … Continue reading “Unconferencing During a Pandemic”
Hello, hostas: More moments from a pandemic spring at home
Last month, I wrote about grasses while spending all my days at home during the spring of the Covid-19 viral outbreak. Since then, between lawn mowing sessions and working from home, I awaited the return of my perrenial hosta plants from underground, which create a leafy landscape in the shady areas of my backyard. Now … Continue reading Hello, hostas: More moments from a pandemic spring at home
Watching the grass grow—a pandemic spring at home
A lot has happened since I last wrote a blog entry. I haven't really had time to indulge in the pleasure of writing for a couple of months. In a nutshell, a pandemic viral outbreak has happened, of course, and I—like so many people around the world—have retreated as much as I can into my … Continue reading Watching the grass grow—a pandemic spring at home
Gone viral: Reading about HIV during a coronavirus outbreak
It's hard to miss the headlines these days about the new coronavirus that's sweeping around the world. Along with respiratory symptoms, this new disease has been accompanied by uncertainty, fear, and even misinformation. Who will be infected, and how? Who will suffer, and potentially die? How widespread and severe will the virus be, and when … Continue reading Gone viral: Reading about HIV during a coronavirus outbreak
On DNA circles, to “ring” in a new year
With a new semester and familiar routines now underway, I found a few moments to reflect on one of my favorite science stories from last fall—a story that almost passed me by at the busy end of my academic semester. But this headline of an article by Carl Zimmer in the New York Times did … Continue reading On DNA circles, to “ring” in a new year
Fall reading, part II: Food fights
I'm going to make this a quick post. I'm supposed to be grading end-of-semester exams. Or taking in seasonal fun, like making cookies. But since I titled my previous blog post "Fall reading, part I," I figured I really should follow up with that "part II" before fall solidly gives way to winter! When I … Continue reading Fall reading, part II: Food fights
Fall reading, part I: Math matters
I guess I always thought I'd use more math in my work. I'm trained as a scientist. I now train students in foundational biology concepts and ways in which science and scientists connect with the world. And yet, most of the math I do involves only simple arithmetic, algebraic manipulations, and elementary statistics. It turns … Continue reading Fall reading, part I: Math matters
SciComm Takes Center Stage
I've been busy the past few months with the kick-off of a new academic year. One of the biggest shifts for me has been the extent to which science communication has risen to the top of my to-do lists. We've reached the midpoint of my semester and a relaxing few days for Fall Break, so … Continue reading SciComm Takes Center Stage
Mulled Science 