Science Journalism

Dr. Trisha Gura, Freelance Writer

GWIS event, Tuesday, October 21, 2003, at MIT  

As a graduate student, Trisha Gura was looking for something new, so she took a night class in journalism and started working for a small newspaper covering community events. After earning a doctorate in Molecular Biology from Northwestern University, Dr. Gura won a mass media fellowship at the American Association for the Advancement of Science. This led to a position as a reporter at the Chicago Tribune. Dr. Gura then completed a Knight Science Journalism Fellowship at MIT.  Dr. Gura presented her background to the GWIS audience and then explained what science writers do, and the various venues where they might work. She explained that if one has a decent science background and good writing skills, there might not be a need to get a specialized degree in science journalism. But she pointed out that science writing programs can be invaluable for launching your career because of the connections you make in them. Dr. Gura has experience writing for Science and Nature as well as for non-scientists. She indicated that the particular topic is less important than writing a compelling story. For people with scientific backgrounds who are interested in getting into a science writing career, she suggested they get writing experience by taking a writing class or writing stories for a school newspaper, alumni magazine, or foundation newsletter.  

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