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

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

Fostering community, through curiosity and connection

I've written several entries over the past year or so about my interest in science outreach—sharing my enthusiasm for science through hands-on activities to engage with different groups of people beyond the university campus where I work. (See "Informal Science," "Sharing Science: Teaching and Learning About Communication," and "Scientists in Our Neighborhoods" for more.) This fall, I've … Continue reading Fostering community, through curiosity and connection

Scientists in our neighborhoods

As a young child, my first lessons in "community" came from errands and outings with my family, interactions with neighbors, school and extra-curricular activities I participated in...and public television. I grew up with now-classic episodes of "Sesame Street" and "Mister Roger's Neighborhood," which taught me about the basics of positive communities and the people who … Continue reading Scientists in our neighborhoods