I write both about science and about being in the world of science. Below is a selection of articles that I have written. Please note that this list is not exhaustive - I have written about plenty of other topics that have also been about science in part.
On science itself:
For the benefit of humanity
In support of blue sky thinking and science for the sake of science
(and follow-up post On Intergalactic Radio Wave Distortion)
A day in the lab
Ever wondered what scientists actually do?
Should we build an online Journal club?
The cruelty of a PhD
Presented in a graphical format
When it comes to recognising scientific achievement...
The Australian Prime Ministers Prizes for Science
How can you research without knowledge?
The importance of teaching the fundamentals; the threat of current govermental regulations on the diversity and long term future of science. A serious post. IMPORTANT.
Scientific topics:
No flies were harmed in the making of this blog post
Complex genetics, failed undergraduate practicals and really clever experimental tricks
Male, female, other, other, other, other, other
The strange, seven-gender world of Tetrahymena thermophila - but what do we mean by 'gender'?
How to live to 100 (also published by Redbrick)
Telomerase and ageing
Baby is born. Has special powers.
The world's first cancer-free baby is born!
The Bastard Gumwood
Extreme conservation
Save the Tasmanian Devil
The first of several articles on the plight of the delightful marsupial carnivore, the Tasmanian Devil. See also:
Of least concern, yet not
Transmissable Cancer
Tasmania V: Beaumaris Zoo
Sirocco the Kākāpō in Exile
The efforts of the New Zealand Department of Conservation to save the bumbling kakapo, and the unexpected cost of fame for its 'spokesbird'
Forget the hands, the future is in your cerebellum
Research for this article required me to have my brain switched off (entered for the Daily Telegraph/BASF Science Writers Award, many moons ago)
Science correspondent:
Redbrick Science 1, 2 and 3
The science of sleep | Radiation poisoning | Twins
Redbrick Science 4, 5 and 6
The advantages of space travel | Skin cancer | Global warming
Redbrick Science 7 and 8
The psychology of Stockholm Syndrome | Animal testing
Two further science news features were also published by Redbrick (online only), but have sadly been lost in the Internet ether.
Journals:
My name is also on a few published articles in professional journals:
When autumn falls
(Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology 10, 238-239, 2009 doi: 10.1038/nrm2662)
A fertility network
(Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology 10, 443, 2009 doi: 10.1038/nrm2721)
(I blogged on scientific writing conventions to assist understanding of these Highlight articles: Jingo Jargon)
Trophic neuron-glia interactions and cell number adjustments in the fruit fly
(Glia 59, 1296-1303, 2011 doi: 10.1002/glia.21092)
Coming soon: a first-author paper that will change the face of science!
Resources:
I have produced materials for a number of talks, workshops and outreach activities. Resources that can be made public will be linked to below.
