Highlights from my current role:
How Pharmacies Can Weather the Storm of Climate Extremes
As disruptions stemming from climate change intensify, health systems must make plans to ensure they can continue to deliver high-quality care. | Pharmacy Practice News | November 2025 issue
Pharmacists Poised to Lead Pharmacogenomics Implementation
First in a series about the field of pharmacogenomics (how a person's genetics influence their body's response to medications) and the opportunities and roadblocks for applying it in pharmacy practice. | Pharmacy Practice News | January 2024 issue
PGx a Tool for Honing Chemotherapy and Supportive Care
Third in a series about pharmacogenomics, focusing on how genetic testing can enable clinicians to tailor chemotherapy doses and supportive care therapies for cancer. | Pharmacy Practice News | March 2024 issue
PGx Promising for Psychiatry, but no 'Magic Bullet'
Fourth in a series about pharmacogenomics, exploring the role for genetic testing in psychiatric medication prescribing. | Pharmacy Practice News | July 2024 issue
PGx May Take Edge Off Pain Management
Fifth in a series about pharmacogenomics, discussing the potential for genetic testing to enable safer and more effective pain management while decreasing the risk for opioid misuse. | Pharmacy Practice News | September 2024 issue
Harnessing the Power of AI to Optimize Drug Therapy
Opportunities are emerging for artificial intelligence to help pharmacists avert drug-related mishaps and select the most optimal treatment for patients. | Pharmacy Practice News | November 2023 issue
Rise of the Machines Against Drug Diversion
Health systems are using artificial intelligence to prevent controlled medications from being channeled from their intended patients for illicit use. | Pharmacy Practice News | May 2023 issue
Amoxicillin Shortage Continues, but Alternatives Are Available
A shortage of some formulations of the antibiotic amoxicillin for children was driven by an especially severe respiratory illness season. | Pharmacy Practice News | December 2022 issue
Pharmacists Respond to National Surge in RSV
A surge in respiratory syncytial virus cases stretched pediatric healthcare providers thin across the United States. | Pharmacy Practice News | December 2022 issue
New Therapies and Better Access Urgently Needed for Sickle Cell Patients
More treatment options and lifelong support are needed for sickle cell disease, which affects approximately 100,000 people in the United States. | Specialty Pharmacy Continuum | November/December 2022 issue
As disruptions stemming from climate change intensify, health systems must make plans to ensure they can continue to deliver high-quality care. | Pharmacy Practice News | November 2025 issue
Pharmacists Poised to Lead Pharmacogenomics Implementation
First in a series about the field of pharmacogenomics (how a person's genetics influence their body's response to medications) and the opportunities and roadblocks for applying it in pharmacy practice. | Pharmacy Practice News | January 2024 issue
PGx a Tool for Honing Chemotherapy and Supportive Care
Third in a series about pharmacogenomics, focusing on how genetic testing can enable clinicians to tailor chemotherapy doses and supportive care therapies for cancer. | Pharmacy Practice News | March 2024 issue
PGx Promising for Psychiatry, but no 'Magic Bullet'
Fourth in a series about pharmacogenomics, exploring the role for genetic testing in psychiatric medication prescribing. | Pharmacy Practice News | July 2024 issue
PGx May Take Edge Off Pain Management
Fifth in a series about pharmacogenomics, discussing the potential for genetic testing to enable safer and more effective pain management while decreasing the risk for opioid misuse. | Pharmacy Practice News | September 2024 issue
Harnessing the Power of AI to Optimize Drug Therapy
Opportunities are emerging for artificial intelligence to help pharmacists avert drug-related mishaps and select the most optimal treatment for patients. | Pharmacy Practice News | November 2023 issue
Rise of the Machines Against Drug Diversion
Health systems are using artificial intelligence to prevent controlled medications from being channeled from their intended patients for illicit use. | Pharmacy Practice News | May 2023 issue
Amoxicillin Shortage Continues, but Alternatives Are Available
A shortage of some formulations of the antibiotic amoxicillin for children was driven by an especially severe respiratory illness season. | Pharmacy Practice News | December 2022 issue
Pharmacists Respond to National Surge in RSV
A surge in respiratory syncytial virus cases stretched pediatric healthcare providers thin across the United States. | Pharmacy Practice News | December 2022 issue
New Therapies and Better Access Urgently Needed for Sickle Cell Patients
More treatment options and lifelong support are needed for sickle cell disease, which affects approximately 100,000 people in the United States. | Specialty Pharmacy Continuum | November/December 2022 issue
Freelance highlights:
The Controversial Search for Genius in the Remains of Einstein's Brain
A tale of sloppy science, a not-so-remarkable brain, and the rise of a more nuanced understanding of intelligence. | Inverse | March 19, 2022
Cord blood helped cure a woman of HIV. Can it treat other diseases, too?
The new approach raises hopes for helping more people. | Inverse | February 25, 2022
A ‘living’ cancer drug helped two patients stay disease-free for a decade
CAR T-cell therapy and related therapies that harness immune cells are getting closer to a 'cure' for some cancers, clinicians say. | Popular Science | February 17, 2022
Mixing and matching COVID-19 vaccines could provide superior immunity
The approach could prompt a powerful immune response. | Popular Science | October 21,2021
Why most diets don’t work—and what to try instead
Taking the focus off weight loss may help your health in the long run. | Popular Science | September 27, 2021
Even at half capacity, the Super Bowl could cause COVID-19 outbreaks
The safest way to celebrate is still at home. | Popular Science | February 5, 2021
COVID-19 testing can’t guarantee a safe Thanksgiving. Here’s why.
The CDC is urging Americans not to travel for the holiday. | Popular Science | November 23, 2020
This scientist studies alchemy to turn historical handicrafts into modern innovations
Some of the best science lies in the designs of really old stuff. | Popular Science | Spring 2020, Origins issue
Why do so many diseases come from bats?
Many viruses originate in bats, but that doesn’t mean we should live in fear of them. | Popular Science | May 6, 2020
Forget props and fixed wings. New bio-inspired drones mimic birds, bats and bugs
Researchers see big things for the tiny flying machines | NBC News MACH | July 30, 2019
New companion robots can't do much but make us love them
With those big eyes and rounded bodies, who could resist them? | NBC News MACH | June 23, 2019
The science of serial killers is changing
In-depth analysis of murderers might help the rest of us, too. | Popular Science| March 7, 2019
Civil War study shows father's stress affects son's lifespan
It's part of the growing field of human epigenetics. | NBC News MACH | Nov. 9, 2018
How to remove cactus spines (including ones stuck in your throat)
Experts weigh in on a prickly predicament. | Popular Science | May 4, 2018
Why Nancy Chen Is Mapping the Family Tree of Florida Scrub-Jays
Understanding the bird's genetic diversity could yield insights about how best to protect it and other threatened species. | Audubon.org | March 29, 2018
This strange condition makes you feel like you just burned your mouth on hot coffee—indefinitely
You've heard of auditory and visual hallucinations, but what about oral phantoms? | Popular Science | January 11, 2018
Pythons are invading Florida. Meet the scientists fighting back.
Betrayal, sex pheromones, and a lot of snake wrestling. | Popular Science | October 13, 2017
How Fragrant Poop and Color-Changing Skin May Help Protect Our Health
Scientists in the nascent field of synthetic biology are exploring ways coax bacteria that live in our bodies to alert us to illness — and even fight it. | NBC News MACH | July 25, 2017
(I was interviewed about this story by Paula Poundstone on her science show at NPR, Live from the Poundstone Institute (August 26, 2017, episode: "Am I Wishing For a Germ Bath?"))
Sex Robots Are Coming, and They're Not as Skeevy as You Think
NBC News MACH | June 2, 2017
Scientists are spelunking for cave gunk to fight superbugs
Deep in caverns around the world, bacteria are laboring to make antibiotics we can discover and use for ourselves. | Popular Science | May 22, 2017
Designer drugs hit dangerous lows to bring new highs
Illicit drugs are staying one step ahead of law enforcement, and users are paying the price | Science News | May 5, 2015
Cities are brimming with wildlife worth studying
Ecologists find plenty of surprises in urban landscapes | Science News |December 29, 2014
A Fine Set of Pipes
Their notes can bring joyous tears / While others may plug up their ears / But to Nate Banton what’s good / Is carving some wood / To craft a bagpipe for the years. | Narratively | March 14, 2014
A tale of sloppy science, a not-so-remarkable brain, and the rise of a more nuanced understanding of intelligence. | Inverse | March 19, 2022
Cord blood helped cure a woman of HIV. Can it treat other diseases, too?
The new approach raises hopes for helping more people. | Inverse | February 25, 2022
A ‘living’ cancer drug helped two patients stay disease-free for a decade
CAR T-cell therapy and related therapies that harness immune cells are getting closer to a 'cure' for some cancers, clinicians say. | Popular Science | February 17, 2022
Mixing and matching COVID-19 vaccines could provide superior immunity
The approach could prompt a powerful immune response. | Popular Science | October 21,2021
Why most diets don’t work—and what to try instead
Taking the focus off weight loss may help your health in the long run. | Popular Science | September 27, 2021
Even at half capacity, the Super Bowl could cause COVID-19 outbreaks
The safest way to celebrate is still at home. | Popular Science | February 5, 2021
COVID-19 testing can’t guarantee a safe Thanksgiving. Here’s why.
The CDC is urging Americans not to travel for the holiday. | Popular Science | November 23, 2020
This scientist studies alchemy to turn historical handicrafts into modern innovations
Some of the best science lies in the designs of really old stuff. | Popular Science | Spring 2020, Origins issue
Why do so many diseases come from bats?
Many viruses originate in bats, but that doesn’t mean we should live in fear of them. | Popular Science | May 6, 2020
Forget props and fixed wings. New bio-inspired drones mimic birds, bats and bugs
Researchers see big things for the tiny flying machines | NBC News MACH | July 30, 2019
New companion robots can't do much but make us love them
With those big eyes and rounded bodies, who could resist them? | NBC News MACH | June 23, 2019
The science of serial killers is changing
In-depth analysis of murderers might help the rest of us, too. | Popular Science| March 7, 2019
Civil War study shows father's stress affects son's lifespan
It's part of the growing field of human epigenetics. | NBC News MACH | Nov. 9, 2018
How to remove cactus spines (including ones stuck in your throat)
Experts weigh in on a prickly predicament. | Popular Science | May 4, 2018
Why Nancy Chen Is Mapping the Family Tree of Florida Scrub-Jays
Understanding the bird's genetic diversity could yield insights about how best to protect it and other threatened species. | Audubon.org | March 29, 2018
This strange condition makes you feel like you just burned your mouth on hot coffee—indefinitely
You've heard of auditory and visual hallucinations, but what about oral phantoms? | Popular Science | January 11, 2018
Pythons are invading Florida. Meet the scientists fighting back.
Betrayal, sex pheromones, and a lot of snake wrestling. | Popular Science | October 13, 2017
How Fragrant Poop and Color-Changing Skin May Help Protect Our Health
Scientists in the nascent field of synthetic biology are exploring ways coax bacteria that live in our bodies to alert us to illness — and even fight it. | NBC News MACH | July 25, 2017
(I was interviewed about this story by Paula Poundstone on her science show at NPR, Live from the Poundstone Institute (August 26, 2017, episode: "Am I Wishing For a Germ Bath?"))
Sex Robots Are Coming, and They're Not as Skeevy as You Think
NBC News MACH | June 2, 2017
Scientists are spelunking for cave gunk to fight superbugs
Deep in caverns around the world, bacteria are laboring to make antibiotics we can discover and use for ourselves. | Popular Science | May 22, 2017
Designer drugs hit dangerous lows to bring new highs
Illicit drugs are staying one step ahead of law enforcement, and users are paying the price | Science News | May 5, 2015
Cities are brimming with wildlife worth studying
Ecologists find plenty of surprises in urban landscapes | Science News |December 29, 2014
A Fine Set of Pipes
Their notes can bring joyous tears / While others may plug up their ears / But to Nate Banton what’s good / Is carving some wood / To craft a bagpipe for the years. | Narratively | March 14, 2014