Aloha everyone!
For those who are familiar with this blog from Scientific American, well hello again! Good to see you! I might be on a new site, but rest assured, I’ll still be serving up the same raw science you’ve come to expect from me.
If you’re a n00b: Welcome!
My name is Christie, and I am a bit of an amalgam. I am one part marine biologist, pursuing my PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Hawaii, where I study the protein toxins in the world’s most venomous fish. I’m one part social media specialist, encouraging my scientific colleagues to get themselves out there and teaching them how to do so. But here, at Science Sushi, I am a giddy schoolgirl, uncontrollably blurting out all of the neat things that make me squeal with excitement.
I have been blogging about science for the past five years or so. To steal a phrase from Ed Yong, I usually cover the “wow” beat — the newest discoveries, quirks of nature, or scientific ideas that just make you step back and say, “WOW.” I am wowed by science all the time; that’s why I chose to become a scientist. We live in a brilliant and unbelievable universe, and this blog is my way of sharing my fascination and wonder at the marvels of it with you. I use my scientific training to tear apart complicated jargon and explain things in much better words, so that anyone (hopefully everyone!) can as wowed by science as I am.
That means I don’t cover one thing, I cover anything. I’ve written about everything from dog evolution to fake poop. Sometimes, I get angry. Sometimes, I make it personal. Sometimes, it’s political (though it’s usually not). Some posts are long, others are short. But they all, at their core, are based on peer-reviewed scientific research or the people who perform it.
For me, there is nothing more rewarding than the spark that appears in a person’s eyes when you tell them something really, really, really cool. Since I can’t see that here, I encourage you to make comments and discuss what I write about. Like something? Let me know! Don’t like something? Let me know that, too. If you’re a first time commenter, your addition will be held up in moderation for a moment, but as long as it’s not offensive, it will be let through. That’s basically the only rule when it comes to commenting here: you can praise or critique, you can debate or correct, and you can definitely discuss, but foul language, bigotry, viciousness and abuse will get you quickly banned.
Anyhow, that’s a little about me and about this blog. Now, I want to hear about you. Tell me a little about yourself: where are you from? How did you get here? Have you been reading me for years or is this the first post you’ve stumbled upon? What is your relationship to science? And perhaps most importantly, what would you like from me? Are there topics you’re dying for me to cover? What would make you come back and read this blog every day, if you don’t already?
Say as much or as little as you want — just say something. You’ll hear enough from me if you hang around, but for now, I want to hear from you!
Hi Christie,
I caught a post you shared to G+ a while ago and have been reading since, enjoying both the depth and breadth of your scientific knowledge and the eloquence and creativity of your writing.
By age 8 (or so) I was dead-set on becoming an astrophysicist, having completely worn out the VHS cassettes of NOVA’s miniseries “The Astronomers”. Still remember the theme music. I was passionate. My own academic career meandered as I discovered new fields of research and I veered toward new passions. I ended up a polyglot with a graduate degree in theoretical linguistics and I work very happily as a software developer.
Science – the pursuit of an accurate understanding of the physical world and an explanation of our place in it – is something nobody should have to live without.
Keep up the great writing and good luck with your transition.
Hi Christie! Good to see you have your own blog now. Been a reader of yours for a while now in SciAm, and following you elsewhere. Love all the live updates you tweet from conferences, etc.
I am a midwesterner living in Michigan, and working all over the country. I am a controls engineer, with a background in electronics, and I have always loved science. I’m an engineer, so I’m more on the applications side than on the research side, but I like it that way because I like to get my hands dirty in addition to sitting and working on the computer all day long.
What will keep me coming back every day is if you keep it nice and personal and keep sharing your personal side as well as covering the science part of things.
Looking forward to it! Aloha!
Hi Christie! Great to e-meet you; this is my first time reading you! I teach a high school astrobiology class and come to UH every summer for their super Astrobiology Learning Institute for Instructors (ALI’I). I get squee excited over science too, so I’m looking forward to your thoughts! (Maybe we should get together for coffee when I’m on campus this summer.) Aloha! Nikki
Hi Christie!
This is the first time I’ve seen your blog, and I am officially in love with it!
I’m currently a senior in a small high school in Ohio, and for the past few months have been trying to decide my future for the next four years–which is really quite stressful. I’m actually spending this weekend driving all over creation visiting colleges (so much for a weekend break), and have spent a lot of time scouring the internet to find out what scientists are doing these days–I hope to join the community soon, so the more I know the better!
I grew up surrounded by animals my entire life and developed a huge love of science early on; that love has held true through high school, and I am taking AP courses in biology and chemistry–and loving it! I am planning on majoring in Biology as an undergrad, but am trying to narrow down what specific majors/minors I should pursue.
I look forward to reading all your posts!