If you think you could use a boost of hope for the future, don’t miss the “SN 10: Scientists to Watch” profiles in this issue. For the seventh year, we are featuring early and mid-career researchers competing to solve big problems and answer big questions. In doing so, they are creating a dazzling future for science.
Each year, I enjoy learning about the 10 scientists, marveling at all they have already accomplished and also how far they intend to go. And in a stroke of luck, and the good planning of our Special Projects Editor, Elizabeth Quill, the authors of this year’s profiles are all early to mid-career science journalists.
“Scientists are often excited to share their work,” said associate editor Cassie Martin, who wrote three of the profiles, when asked about the experience of writing for SN 10. “What makes SN 10 so special is that we got to know these people on a deeper level. They pull back the curtain, letting us see what motivates them.”
Editor Nikk Ogasa had a similar reaction. “It is inspiring and fascinating to hear about someone who has followed his passions for so many years.” In the case of Robin Wordsworth, the Harvard University planetary scientist whom Ogasa described, his love of science fiction and his dream of one day being in another world have led him to use supercomputers to replicate the climate of early Mars.
“I am grateful for the trust scientists give us to tell their stories,” said Aina Abell, science news‘editorial assistant, who wrote three profiles. “That’s why I feel a tremendous sense of responsibility to not only accurately represent their science, but also to give our readers a sense of their heart and their humanity: who they are, what drives them, how they perceive the world. It creates really electric and inspiring conversations.”
That’s reflected in her profile of biological anthropologist Tina Lasisi of the University of Southern California, who is applying scientific methodology to better understand human variation, including why some people, like her, have curly hair.
Previous science news intern Anna Gibbs wrote a profile, as did Asa Stahl, Ph.D. astrophysics student at Rice University who was our AAAS Mass Media Fellow for the summer.
Ogasa was also an intern; in fact, many of our staff writers began their careers as interns at science news. Each year, we host three interns and one Mass Media Fellow. We provide extensive mentorship to help these up-and-coming writers develop skills, explore possible career paths, and of course, produce journalism of the highest quality. They bring us their energy, new ideas, curiosity and enthusiasm for covering science, and we are lucky to have them with us.
Over the years, many of our interns and beginning journalists have become leaders in science journalism and science communications. I am proud to have been able to help these amazing young people on the path to achieving their career goals and to know that the future of science journalism is in good hands.