Team
Co-Founders
Carrie McDonough
I am an assistant professor at Stony Brook University, where I study environmental analytical chemistry. My aim is to develop a comprehensive understanding of how organic contaminants impact aquatic ecosystems and human health by combining innovative environmental chemistry and bioanalytical techniques, state-of-the-art mass spectrometry, and field monitoring campaigns. I earned my Ph.D. in the Lohmann Lab at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography. Before graduate school, I earned a B.Sc. in chemistry from MIT and spent two years working in environmental consulting. When I’m not doing chemistry in the lab, I’m doing chemistry at home (brewing beer).
Laura Schifman
I earned my PhD from the University of Rhode Island in Environmental Science with a focus on Hydrology in 2014. I have a fascination for the urban environment and clean water. So, what better way to combine that than working in stormwater?
Aside from the sciency stuff I enjoy torturing myself on long bike rides, playing volleyball or tennis, riding horses, making anything edible (I miss the lab work), or playing cards.
Twitter: L_Schifman
Editors-In-Chief
Christina Andrea AlvearI'm a freelance writer in San Antonio, Texas. I earned a MS in Biology at the University of Texas at San Antonio. My goal is to make primary research fun and accessible to everyone while connecting with other science writing enthusiasts. I've explored a variety of careers from research, education, and nonprofit mental health, substance abuse, and healthcare programs. When I am not writing or working, I like to lounge around at a coffee shop on a weekend or enjoy a board game with friends.
Meghan MaciejewskiI’m a recent graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where I completed a PhD in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior. My research examined neural and hormonal mechanisms underlying population-level differences in parenting behavior. Outside of research, I enjoy growing houseplants, testing out new recipes, and searching for interesting critters at the beach.
Shilpa SahaI am a researcher specializing in sustainable water management and wetland conservation. Holding a Ph.D. in Science and an M.Phil. in Geography, my work integrates ecological resilience with innovative environmental strategies. With a strong interest in science communication, I am passionate about translating technical environmental issues into stories that inspire, aiming to make sustainability accessible and actionable for everyone.
English – Spanish Translators
I am a scientist whose curiosity is matched only by my devotion to family. My research is driven by a love of discovery and a continual search for answers that advance science and improve lives. My greatest passion is spending quality time with my two daughters and my husband, drawing strength and inspiration from their support. I believe that balancing rigorous work with warm family moments is the key to happiness.
Dulce Rosario Alberto-Aguilar
Christina Andrea Alvear
I'm a freelance writer in San Antonio, Texas. I earned a MS in Biology at the University of Texas at San Antonio. My goal is to make primary research fun and accessible to everyone while connecting with other science writing enthusiasts. I've explored a variety of careers from research, education, and nonprofit mental health, substance abuse, and healthcare programs. When I am not writing or working, I like to lounge around at a coffee shop on a weekend or enjoy a board game with friends.
Authors and Peer-Editors
I graduated with my MS in May 2026 from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. As of fall 2026 I am a PhD student at Purdue University studying how birds and migration are affected by global change both on the ground and in the airspace. When not stuck behind a computer of course I spend lots of time birding and hanging out with my dog! Hello! I'm Megan, an aspiring environmental scientist with a passion for sustainable solutions. I have successfully obtained a degree in Environmental Science with a minor in biology from University of South Florida. I am driven by a deep curiosity about our planet and a commitment to making a positive impact. Currently, I am working for the Florida Conservation as R.O.A.R. member, doing volunteer recruitment and outreach. I plan on attending the University of Florida for my M.S. degree! I am a PhD student at McMaster University studying PFAS contamination throughout the food web of European starlings in Canada. Through my work, I aim to contribute to ongoing environmental monitoring efforts to help the our natural spaces. Outside of the field and the lab, I love travelling, experiencing live music, and playing soccer! I'm a biologist and an MSc in Biochemistry who works as a lab technician at KU Leuven (Belgium). Outside the lab, I can be found reading fiction books, cooking Brazilian food, traveling across Europe, and working towards my passion for science and communication. I am an MSc candidate in Organismic Biology at the University of Bonn researching the diversity of wild bees in the city of Bonn. I'm interested in writing about conservation, urban ecology, and climate change. I also enjoy include reading and writing, political engagement, hiking, and yoga. I am a 4th year undergraduate student studying Arts and Science at McMaster University. I am from Vancouver, BC. which has contributed to my deep love for the outdoors, marine life, and conservation. I love exploring the different ecosystems from coast to coast (West coast best coast!) and always seek ways to connect to the natural world whether that be through canoeing or painting! I'm a PhD student at the University of California Los Angeles investigating how seed dispersal contributes to plant coexistence across landscapes. My research connects field measurements with models to get a more realistic picture of how plants move and interact with each other and the environment. While I work with plants, I also love birding and nature photography. You can find me documenting every organism I see on iNaturalist, eBird, or a number of other community science platforms. Hello there! My name is Mosi Jones and I am an undergraduate researcher at the South Texas Center for Emerging and Infectious Disease located at The University of Texas San Antonio. I am a microbiologist and naturalist at heart, and I love combining my two passions to learn more about how microbes make our lives so special. The natural world is full of wonders that can only be seen under a microscope and my goal is to make learning about these fascinating organisms as fun and entertaining as possible. When I'm not in the lab im in my garden, and when I'm not in my garden im playing with aquariums, and when I'm not playing with aquariums I am playing with instruments....and when I'm not (I'm sorry Ill stop). Prepare for some epic science buzz buzzzz (that's the sound of epic science)! I am a PhD candidate at Washington State University, studying patterns of introgression in oaks. I aim to make both the sciences and the art of writing accessible to wide audiences. Outside my research, I enjoy hiking excursions, playing instruments, and working through my book backlog. I am a PhD candidate at the University of Illinois, studying the effects of environmental changes on animal behavior and ecology. I currently am working on projects on three-spined stickleback fish and ants. In addition to research, I do a lot of science outreach through volunteering at schools and community events. After my PhD, my goal is to work in science policy, pushing for effective conservation policy and increased accessibility of science education. Outside of work I love going to concerts, playing basketball, and doing art in the park with my friends. Hello! I'm Madison Peck and I have both my Bachelors in Biology and Master's in Biotechnology from UT San Antonio. I have a strong passion for research and absolutely love all things science. My background is focused in microbiology and molecular biology as I have studied bacterial pathogenesis of Lyme Disease. In my free time I love to read and enjoy exploring the outdoors. Hello there! I'm Alessandro, an Italian master's student about to graduate in aerospace engineering. I love anything space and all the jaw-dropping paradigm shifts it inevitably brings when looking at things from its unusual angle. Besides academics, I adore travelling and getting to know different people, different perspectives. I'm a very curious chap and enjoy reading, playing music and trekking! Did I mention I'm an X-Files fan? I'm an aspiring science writer and MSc candidate in Host-Microbe Interactions from Skopelos, Greece. I have a BSc in Biochemistry and Biotechnology from the University of Thessaly and I'm passionate about the intersection of microbial ecology and climate change. As an islander, I have a soft spot for marine environments and love painting! Camilla (she/her) is a wildlife conservationist and science communicator. She has previously written award-winning content for Green Source Texas, TCU Magazine, and other publications. As a master’s student with Colorado State University’s Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence, she studies how to help humans and wild animals be good neighbors. I am a PhD candidate at the University of Southern California where I study marine sediment geochemistry. My current projects are focused on natural carbon cycling, the degradation of harmful contaminants, and carbon dioxide sequestration through enhanced weathering. In my free time, I love baking, playing board games, seeing concerts, and hanging out with my dog, Nash. I am a scientist whose curiosity is matched only by my devotion to family. My research is driven by a love of discovery and a continual search for answers that advance science and improve lives. My greatest passion is spending quality time with my two daughters and my husband, drawing strength and inspiration from their support. I believe that balancing rigorous work with warm family moments is the key to happiness. I am a scientist turned communicator based in Sweden. I completed my PhD in Insect Chemical Ecology in 2020, and continued as a postdoc for 3 years before joining the corporate scientific world as a Communication Scientist. I write science articles for fun, and love turning complex ideas into digestable and fun content.
Ian Becker
Megan Betancourt
Renata de Mello
Lauren Glevanik
Henry Landis
Matt Quinan
Christina Andrea AlvearI'm a freelance writer in San Antonio, Texas. I earned a MS in Biology at the University of Texas at San Antonio. My goal is to make primary research fun and accessible to everyone while connecting with other science writing enthusiasts. I've explored a variety of careers from research, education, and nonprofit mental health, substance abuse, and healthcare programs. When I am not writing or working, I like to lounge around at a coffee shop on a weekend or enjoy a board game with friends.
Meghan MaciejewskiI’m a recent graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where I completed a PhD in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior. My research examined neural and hormonal mechanisms underlying population-level differences in parenting behavior. Outside of research, I enjoy growing houseplants, testing out new recipes, and searching for interesting critters at the beach.
Shilpa SahaI am a researcher specializing in sustainable water management and wetland conservation. Holding a Ph.D. in Science and an M.Phil. in Geography, my work integrates ecological resilience with innovative environmental strategies. With a strong interest in science communication, I am passionate about translating technical environmental issues into stories that inspire, aiming to make sustainability accessible and actionable for everyone.
Former Contributors
