In the spirit of the holiday, I was thinking about the things that I’m thankful for that are related to science and science communication. Here is the list that came to mind:
1) I’m thankful to be a science writing fellow at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for a second year.
I feel very lucky that I get to work towards my dream job of becoming a science writer as an NCI communications fellow. I am gaining skills and knowledge in interviewing, digital media, science writing, grants processes, cancer biology, and more that will help me on my career journey. I am also fortunate to work with great mentors who provide support and constructive feedback. I am excited to go into work every day.
2) I’m thankful that I’m a member of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Fellows Editorial Board (FEB), which is helping me develop my editing skills.
I am grateful to the current Senior Editor of the NIH FEB. I met her at a NCI Fellows and Young Investigators Steering Committee Meeting. She found out that I was a science writing fellow, and encouraged me to apply to become a member of the FEB. I sent in an application and was able to join around May. Now, I get to be a part of this group that provides a free document-editing service to NIH and FDA fellows.
This year, I met Dr. Douglas Lowy, and he even shook my hand. I was completely #starstruck that I was talking to this incredible scientist. He won the 2017 Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award with Dr. John Schiller for their work leading to the development of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines. I still can’t believe I actually got to talk to this reputable researcher.
4) I’m thankful for opportunities to write articles for the NIH Catalyst Newsletter and the NCI Fellows and Young Investigators (FYI) Newsletter.
As a fellow at NCI, I was able to have an informational interview with Laura Carter, the Editor-in-Chief of the NIH Catalyst. She gave great information and advice about science writing. Additionally, she added me to list of volunteer writers for the NIH Catalyst. Over the past year, this gave me a chance to write Research Briefs (short descriptions about recent scientific findings), interview distinguished NIH researchers (including Andrew Johnson, Elisabeth Murray, and Thomas Waldmann), and learn more about NIH intramural research. Additionally, I have been able to develop my writing and editing skills as a member of the NCI FYI Newsletter Team.
5) I’m thankful for great women role models in science and science communication at the NIH.
There are many amazing women scientists and science writers who inspire me as I pursue science writing. Some of the women I look up to include Erin Wetzel (Communications Manager of the NCI Division of Cancer Biology), Dr. Dinah Singer (the Director of the NCI Division of Cancer Biology), Chris Siemon (Scientific Program Specialist in the Division of Cancer Biology), Dr. Nas Zahir (Associate Director of the NCI Division of Cancer Biology), Dr. Shannon Hughes (Program Director in the NCI Division of Cancer Biology, Dr. Joanna Watson (Program Director in the Division of Cancer Biology), Dr. Neeraja Sathyamoorthy (Program Director in the NCI Division of Cancer Biology), Laura Carter (Editor-in-Chief of the NIH Catalyst), Kandice Tanner (NCI Investigator), and Chanelle Case Borden (Program Manager in the NCI Center for Cancer Training).
6) I’m thankful for advice and interactions with other science communicators on social media.
It’s great to meet and talk to other science writers and scientists on Twitter (@cemccarthy02) and Instagram (clairem402).
It’s a great place to ask questions and find tips. Sometimes you even have the chance to meet people from your online network #IRL. For example, I interacted with Dr. Sandy Anderson, a cancer researcher at the Moffitt Cancer Center, on Twitter. Then, I got to meet him in person when we both attended an NCI workshop. It was so cool to talk to him since he does really exciting research using mathematical models to overcome therapeutic resistance. He is one of the nicest scientists that I’ve ever met, and I recommend following him @ara_anderson.
7) I’m thankful for the Technology Hub at the NIH Library where individuals can create podcasts and videos.
I'm starting to plan a podcast; however, I have no experience whatsoever in making podcasts. I was lucky to find that the NIH Library has a Digital Production Studio within its Technology Hub. This space provides a studio and equipment, including a digital audio recorder, a video camera, headphones, microphones, sound-proofing, a green screen, and a lighting kit, for audio and video projects. There is also editing software available for use in the workstations outside the studio. Further, the librarian who manages the Digital Production Studio is very helpful.
8) I’m thankful for Wakelet.com that allows me to make libraries of weblinks.
This website has helped me keep track of social media posts about scientific meetings. It was also a useful tool when I was working on a visual display of information and needed to link an object in the graphic to multiple webpages.
9) I’m thankful to be a member of the D.C. Science Writers Association and the National Association of Science Writers.
These groups have a lot of great resources for new science writers and provide great training opportunities. I have also been able to set up informational interviews and network at events sponsored by these organizations.
Before I started my fellowship, they told me to follow my heart and do what makes me happy. I appreciate all of their encouragement as I work to become a science writer.
