Hi, I’m Melissa! I’m a science writer and organize convention panels about the intersection of science and science fiction, including how pop culture portrays scientists. I’ve written freelance articles for Nerdist and Star Wars Insider magazine, among other publications.

I’m also the co-host of two podcasts covering science and academic topics in pop culture, Star Warsologies and The Facts & the Furious. Click “Contact Me” at the bottom of the page if you’re interested in being a guest. Or connect with me on LinkedIn!

Part of scientific training is to observe and report. As an avid consumer of popular media, I couldn’t help but apply that principle to the TV shows and movies that I watch. Now, more than ever, it’s important that science and scientists be taken seriously. The way both are represented onscreen goes a long way towards shaping people’s opinions.

I see the world through the eyes of a scientist and strive to help others feel that same sense of wonder and exploration. I am not the only scientist in my family – my husband brews beer and my dog investigates local parks, though she is very secretive about her findings.

For a long time, I was a marine technician and science writer at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, working in a chemistry lab both onshore and at sea. For a year, I lived aboard the research vessel Sally Ride and wrote over 100 blog posts about living and working at sea.

My older blogs and writing are also here – about science, travel, and beer, as well as fiction novellas and film scripts.

Thanks for checking out my writing.

Enjoy!