ATX SCI COMM BOARD
Marc Airhart, Director-at-Large Marc
Airhart is a science communicator and audio producer with a bachelor’s
degree in physics and 25+ years of experience in interviewing experts
and breaking down complex ideas into simple and engaging stories for
people of all ages and backgrounds. He is a science writer for the
University of Texas at Austin's College of Natural Sciences. He is also a
host and producer of two podcasts: AI for the Rest of Us,
which explores everything ordinary folks need to know about AI,
including how it will impact education, work, healthcare and high-stakes
decision-making; and Point of Discovery, which takes listeners on a behind-the-scenes tour of how science is done. He has written for national publications including Scientific American, Mercury, StarDate Magazine and Wildflower Magazine. Dr. Helene Engler is a science writer, editor, and consultant for higher education and K-12, and an independent journalist specializing in environmental and medical reporting. She was once a butterfly biologist and is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas - at Austin where she teaches Introductory Biology II and Genetics. She has worked for various educational publishing companies such as Sirius Education Solutions, The Science Communication Lab, Edmentum, and LEGO Education. Her articles have appeared in Nature, Undark, Cancer Therapy Advisor and others. She earned her B.S. in Biology, Adelphi University; Ph.D. in Zoology, The University of Texas at Austin; Postdoc in Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Helene is excited to develop events and grow ATXSciComm. Omar Fabian, Secretary Omar Fabian is a writer and editor based here in Austin, where he’s lived for the past 13 years. Omar is the head script writer for videos at Research Square Company, a scientific communications organization and preprint platform. Their videos transform peer-reviewed research into bite-sized animations tailored to different audiences. Some of his freelance work includes writing columns and producing podcasts for the Materials Research Society. Omar earned degrees in materials science from MIT and UT and a degree in science & technology journalism from Texas A&M. Omar is excited and grateful to be involved with the Board of ATXSciWri, and even though times are tough right now, he is looking forward to connecting with and growing our membership! Clair Gaston, Director-at-Large Clair Gaston holds a BFA and an MFA in Painting and Drawing. Her interests focus on natural subject matter and preferred mediums are Oil Painting and colored pencils. She draws inspiration from gardening and daily life. Gaston is currently on faculty at The Art School of The Contemporary Austin and also has the pleasure of teaching Botanical Illustration at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. When she is not working in her studio or teaching classes, Clair spends time in her garden caring for and observing local wildflowers and plants. She is passionate about native plants and the environment. Julie Grisham, Director-at-Large Julie Grisham is a science and medical writer who specializes in oncology, genetics, neuroscience, and molecular biology. She works for a number of academic research institutions. Julie has a BA in genetics and developmental biology from Northwestern University and an MS in science journalism from Boston University. She is a founding member of Austin Texas Science Communicators (when it was Austin Texas Science Writers) and previously served as vice president and president of the group. Chand John, Director-at-Large Chand John is known for his science comics and inclusive teaching. BBC News highlighted that his TED-Ed lesson has amassed 3.5 million views. CBS Austin’s Chief Meteorologist and UT-Austin featured his comics on meteorology and women in mathematics. His advocacy for women, Black scholars, and students with disabilities in computer science has received recognition. Chand earned a PhD in computer science from Stanford University for developing computer simulations that reveal how muscles stabilize human walking. He patented a way to compute vehicle operation effort at Honda and writes surgical robotics software for Johnson & Johnson. Daisy Yuhas, Director-at-Large Daisy Yuhas is a science journalist based in Austin, Texas. She is author of the Kids' Field Guide to Birds, and a contributing editor for both Scientific American and The Transmitter. Previously, she was features editor for SAPIENS magazine, a digital publication that covers anthropology research, as well as a columnist for The Hechinger Report, where she wrote about the intersection of cognitive science and education. Prior to that, she was an associate editor at Scientific American, where she edited stories for Scientific American MIND. Daisy has written for multiple outlets, including The New York Times for Kids, Audubon magazine, and NBC News. PAST BOARDSFOUNDING BOARD, 2017-2019: President: Emily Moskal Vice President: Julie Grisham Treasurer: Liz Kruesi Secretary: Stavana Strutz Director-at-large: Laurie Duncan BOARD, 2019-2021: President: Julie Grisham Vice President: Teresa Carr Secretary: Eileen McGinnis Directors-at-large: K. Angel Horne & Sarah Jenevein BOARD 2021-2023: President: Daisy Yuhas Vice President: Nika Sarraf Secretary: Omar Fabian Treasurer: Julie Grisham Directors-at-large: Audrey Stewart, Helene Engler, Clair Gaston, Nic Bennett, Chand John, Sarah Miller, Erin Cord, Alexandra Gordon, Marc Airhart |