CV
JOURNALISM WORK
Independent journalist, producer, fact-checker, and illustrator
Sep 2014-Present
Work in Popular Science, Motherboard, TED, Audubon, Quanta Magazine, The Outline, Fusion, and others.
The Pulse, WHYY, reporter/producer
Mar 2019-May 2020
Reported and produced features for The Pulse, a radio show and podcast about the people and places at the heart of health and science. Produced by WHYY, Philadelphia's NPR member station, and broadcast on NPR stations around the country.
The New York Times, writer
Jun 2016-Feb 2019
Contributed weekly to Trilobites, a column unearthing fascinating morsels of science. Occasionally wrote longer news stories or segments for other columns in the science section.
Independent animator
Oct 2011-Feb 2019
Published in Scientific American and the popular biology blog Creature Cast. Created or worked on animations for the City of Pawtucket, Rhode Island; the Rhode Island Department of Health; the Rhode Island Land & Water Summit. In 2012, two of my animations were included in the “Beneath the Waves” film fest; one won “Best Student Film.”
Scienceline.org, staff member
Sep 2014-Dec 2015
Served terms as associate editor, creative director, and social media editor of NYU’s student-led digital science magazine. Led logo and website re-design. Contributed reported stories and blog posts.
Popular Science, editorial intern
Aug 2015-Dec 2015
Wrote stories on gene editing, bioart, gadgets, and more for the website and print magazine. Pitched and produced print spread on how to make a DIY “candy cane sound machine” for the 2015 holiday issue. Contributed to videos and podcasts.
Nautilus, editorial intern
May 2015-Jul 2015
Fact-checked and did research for articles exploring the intersection of science, culture, and philosophy. Helped manage social media accounts.
Motherboard, editorial intern
Feb 2015-May 2015
Wrote and fact-checked news and features on psychology, antibiotics, ecology, and more for VICE’s science and tech website.
WNYU Radio, The Doppler Effect, producer
Sep 2014-Dec 2014
Wrote, researched, recorded, edited, and produced audio features on fig wasps, teen love, and more for WNYU Radio’s science and tech podcast.
Brown University Swearer Center for Public Service, Storyteller for Good
Oct 2013-Jun 2014
Helped launch, wrote, illustrated, and produced audio for SwearerSparks.org, a digital platform about social innovation and public service, which won the national Ashoka U-Cordes Innovation Award in 2015.
Argonne National Laboratory, editorial intern
Jun 2012-Aug 2012
Wrote web features, press releases, newsletters, and blog posts for U.S. Department of Energy lab.
Independent journalist, producer, fact-checker, and illustrator
Sep 2014-Present
Work in Popular Science, Motherboard, TED, Audubon, Quanta Magazine, The Outline, Fusion, and others.
The Pulse, WHYY, reporter/producer
Mar 2019-May 2020
Reported and produced features for The Pulse, a radio show and podcast about the people and places at the heart of health and science. Produced by WHYY, Philadelphia's NPR member station, and broadcast on NPR stations around the country.
The New York Times, writer
Jun 2016-Feb 2019
Contributed weekly to Trilobites, a column unearthing fascinating morsels of science. Occasionally wrote longer news stories or segments for other columns in the science section.
Independent animator
Oct 2011-Feb 2019
Published in Scientific American and the popular biology blog Creature Cast. Created or worked on animations for the City of Pawtucket, Rhode Island; the Rhode Island Department of Health; the Rhode Island Land & Water Summit. In 2012, two of my animations were included in the “Beneath the Waves” film fest; one won “Best Student Film.”
Scienceline.org, staff member
Sep 2014-Dec 2015
Served terms as associate editor, creative director, and social media editor of NYU’s student-led digital science magazine. Led logo and website re-design. Contributed reported stories and blog posts.
Popular Science, editorial intern
Aug 2015-Dec 2015
Wrote stories on gene editing, bioart, gadgets, and more for the website and print magazine. Pitched and produced print spread on how to make a DIY “candy cane sound machine” for the 2015 holiday issue. Contributed to videos and podcasts.
Nautilus, editorial intern
May 2015-Jul 2015
Fact-checked and did research for articles exploring the intersection of science, culture, and philosophy. Helped manage social media accounts.
Motherboard, editorial intern
Feb 2015-May 2015
Wrote and fact-checked news and features on psychology, antibiotics, ecology, and more for VICE’s science and tech website.
WNYU Radio, The Doppler Effect, producer
Sep 2014-Dec 2014
Wrote, researched, recorded, edited, and produced audio features on fig wasps, teen love, and more for WNYU Radio’s science and tech podcast.
Brown University Swearer Center for Public Service, Storyteller for Good
Oct 2013-Jun 2014
Helped launch, wrote, illustrated, and produced audio for SwearerSparks.org, a digital platform about social innovation and public service, which won the national Ashoka U-Cordes Innovation Award in 2015.
Argonne National Laboratory, editorial intern
Jun 2012-Aug 2012
Wrote web features, press releases, newsletters, and blog posts for U.S. Department of Energy lab.
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COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
North American Marine Alliance, media coordinator
Aug 2022-Present
I lead press and media strategy for this fishermen-led advocacy group. See more here.
Fishadelphia, strategist and storyteller
Sep 2020-Present
I've worn many hats for this Philly-based community supported fishery, including teacher, fish butcher, fish packer, person with a truck, and assistant director. Presently, I work on storytelling and marketing strategy. See more here.
Philly Asians 4 Liberation & Mutual Solidarity (PALMS), organizer
May 2020-Nov 2021
PALMS formed emergently during the George Floyd protests in 2020, as a loose collective of friends interested in reflecting together and learning how to be better accomplices in the struggle for Black liberation. We served homemade food as a form of care at protests and organized to provide mutual aid to community members. In spring 2021, we organized a candlelight vigil for Christian Hall, a 19-year-old Chinese American who was shot by Pennsylvania State Police in Monroe County while experiencing a mental health crisis.
Creative Resilience Collective, core organizer
Aug 2018-Sep 2021
Contributed to a multimedia community storytelling project about intergenerational impacts of the War on Drugs in Philadelphia. Conducted interviews with residents and activists at Camps James Talib Dean and Teddy during the Philadelphia PHA / Benjamin Franklin Parkway encampments protests of 2020. Facilitated art and mental health workshops with teens Sanctuary Philadelphia Independent Cultural Youth. Contributed to The Trust Project, funded by Mural Arts Philadelphia.
Free Radicals, organizer
Nov 2017-Sep 2021
Developed political education workshops, “Sciencewashing: How science and the pursuit of knowledge gentrify cities” and “Reclaiming science: What is community-based science?” Spearheaded and developed political education materials for a Scientist Solidarity Drive. Conducted research on the use of gang databases by police departments in Rhode Island and Connecticut, centered around the algorithmic ecology, an abolitionist tool and framework.
UPP Arts, organizer
Sep 2013-Dec 2016
UPP Arts engaged young people and community members in place-based art-making and oral history gathering to celebrate and build environmental stewardship, particularly around urban waterways, in Rhode island. I taught art, environmental science, and oral history at community events and Dr Jorge Alvarez High School in Providence, RI. Also helped oversee operations, fundraise, and plan for yearly watershed celebration. Served as Secretary of the Board during transition to 501(c)(3).
North American Marine Alliance, media coordinator
Aug 2022-Present
I lead press and media strategy for this fishermen-led advocacy group. See more here.
Fishadelphia, strategist and storyteller
Sep 2020-Present
I've worn many hats for this Philly-based community supported fishery, including teacher, fish butcher, fish packer, person with a truck, and assistant director. Presently, I work on storytelling and marketing strategy. See more here.
Philly Asians 4 Liberation & Mutual Solidarity (PALMS), organizer
May 2020-Nov 2021
PALMS formed emergently during the George Floyd protests in 2020, as a loose collective of friends interested in reflecting together and learning how to be better accomplices in the struggle for Black liberation. We served homemade food as a form of care at protests and organized to provide mutual aid to community members. In spring 2021, we organized a candlelight vigil for Christian Hall, a 19-year-old Chinese American who was shot by Pennsylvania State Police in Monroe County while experiencing a mental health crisis.
Creative Resilience Collective, core organizer
Aug 2018-Sep 2021
Contributed to a multimedia community storytelling project about intergenerational impacts of the War on Drugs in Philadelphia. Conducted interviews with residents and activists at Camps James Talib Dean and Teddy during the Philadelphia PHA / Benjamin Franklin Parkway encampments protests of 2020. Facilitated art and mental health workshops with teens Sanctuary Philadelphia Independent Cultural Youth. Contributed to The Trust Project, funded by Mural Arts Philadelphia.
Free Radicals, organizer
Nov 2017-Sep 2021
Developed political education workshops, “Sciencewashing: How science and the pursuit of knowledge gentrify cities” and “Reclaiming science: What is community-based science?” Spearheaded and developed political education materials for a Scientist Solidarity Drive. Conducted research on the use of gang databases by police departments in Rhode Island and Connecticut, centered around the algorithmic ecology, an abolitionist tool and framework.
UPP Arts, organizer
Sep 2013-Dec 2016
UPP Arts engaged young people and community members in place-based art-making and oral history gathering to celebrate and build environmental stewardship, particularly around urban waterways, in Rhode island. I taught art, environmental science, and oral history at community events and Dr Jorge Alvarez High School in Providence, RI. Also helped oversee operations, fundraise, and plan for yearly watershed celebration. Served as Secretary of the Board during transition to 501(c)(3).
☾ . ˚ ୨୧ : * ✦˚ ❃
AWARDS & FELLOWSHIPS
Velocity Fund grantee
Philadelphia, PA • 2022
- Awarded for "Our Fishing Log," a Philly-centered storytelling project about our local fish, people who love fish, and the ways fish connect us to the world, each other, and ourselves.
Philadelphia, PA • 2022
- Awarded to local artists by the City of Philadelphia's Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy.
Philadelphia, PA • 2019
- Awarded for community storytelling project about intergenerational impacts of the War on Drugs in Philadelphia.
Klamath & San Francisco, California • Sep 2018
- Chosen to attend the Climate Summit and visit the Yurok Tribe with a group of environmental writers and Indigenous leaders from Latin America and Indonesia.
Jun-Dec 2018
- Awarded to conduct research on how “superfoods” are marketed to U.S. consumers.
Berlin, Germany • Fall 2017
- Invited as part of cohort of six journalists from the U.S., Brazil, and Singapore to spend two months learning and reporting about science from Berlin, Germany.
Boston, MA • Spring 2017
- Chosen to spend a week learning about the role of big data in medicine at Harvard Medical School.
New York, NY • Summer 2016
- Assigned to work on the NYT Science desk.
* ✧ : ･ﾟ o。 ༓ ✼
EDUCATION
NYU Arthur L. Carter Institute, New York, NY
2014-2015
M.A. Journalism, Advanced Certificate in Science, Health & Environmental Reporting
Brown University, Providence, RI
2008-2012
B.Sc. Environmental Science, with Honors, Voss Environmental Fellow, Sigma Xi
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PUBLIC SPEAKING
- Capitol Hill Ocean Week, "Food from the Sea" panel. Jun 2022. Participated in plenary exploring the role sustainable seafood plays in food security and protecting cultures in the future, in conversation with Imani Black from Minorities in Aquaculture, Dr. Dalee Sambo Dorough from Inuit Circumpolar Council, and Dr. Michelle Tigchelaar from Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions.
- NJ Sea Grant & Rutgers University's Aquaculture Career Readiness through High School Apprenticeship workshop. Aug 2021. Shared Fishadelphia's model and inclusion strategies with seafood businesses and NJ educators.
- World Affairs Council of Philadelphia's UN Summer Camp for Middle School Students. Jul 2021. Presented "Fishadelphia: A local solution to a global problem?"
- PSYCHED 2020, June 2020. Gave a talk about the need for reparations and inclusion in psychedelic therapy at 2020 conference.
- Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. Nov. 2019 & Apr 2018. Invited by Erik Cordes to speak to science graduate students about the mechanisms and societal implications of the science news cycle.
- Rhode Island School of Design, Direct Action for Rights & Equality, Providence, RI. Apr 2019. Co-delivered series of workshops and talks on the the role that universities play in gentrification.
- Creating Climate Community Through Chaos, Brooklyn, NY. Dec 2018. Spoke about building community and avoiding burnout around climate change at event hosted by the Human Impacts Institute at the Brooklyn Public Library in Williamsburg.
- The March for Science S|GNS Summit, Chicago, IL. Jul 2018. Delivered a talk on how science- and knowledge-based economies drive gentrification. Also spoke on a panel entitled "Stories We Don't Tell: Humanizing scientists, challenging stereotypes, and effecting change through storytelling."
- Allied Media Conference, Detroit, MI. Jun 2018. Organized and facilitated a research justice workshop entitled "Reclaiming Science: What is community-based science?"
- Anthology Film Archives, NYC. Mar 2018. Moderated a panel discussion on the deep sea, climate change, and the public role of scientists at the NYC premiere of Acid Horizon, "a feel good global warming disaster movie."
- Caveat NYC, Feb 2018. Pitched and co-delivered a talk titled “Sciencewashing: How Science and the Pursuit of Knowledge Gentrify Cities.”
- Brown University, Providence, RI. Jan 2018. Spoke to Thalia Field's class, "Zoologic: Animals in the Surveillance State," about how the internet transforms our relationship to wildlife and how wild animals are represented in news media.
- Berlin Science Communication Day, Germany. Nov 2017. Featured guest at one-day science communication conference.
- Harvard Medical School, Apr 2017. Spoke about science journalism to medical school's media specialists.
- Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science, Feb 2015. Spoke about science journalism at high school assembly.
- Brown University, Providence, RI. Nov 2014. Spoke about science writing in Kate Schapira’s “True Stories” nonfiction writing class.
★, ｡ ･ :* ✿ ＊
ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS
Coverdale TC, Brisson CP, Young EW, Yin SF, Donnelly JP, Bertness MD (2014) Indirect Human Impacts Reverse Centuries of Carbon Sequestration and Salt Marsh Accretion. PLoS ONE 9(3): e93296.
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MEDIA APPEARANCES
- Surf & Turf Podcast, Apr 2023. Shared about Fishadelphia's approach to creating an inclusive community supported fishery, on podcast about equity and justice in seafood.
- Fish & Us Podcast, Oct 2022. Was a guest on podcast series spotlighting climate and fisheries stories from the waterfront.
- Philadelphia Works x Roadtrip Nation, Aug 2022. Participated in project connecting Philly adult professionals with Philly youth, to be interviewed their life and career paths.
- We Want the Airwaves, Episode 109, Aug 2020. Was a guest on Nia King's podcast about queer and trans artists of color.
SKILLS
- Community organizing: I have worked with a range of campaigns and organizations, most recently with Free Radicals, a collective dedicated to creating a more socially just, equitable, and accountable science; Creative Resilience Collective, which works to combat stigma and improve access to self-determined mental health care in Philadelphia; and Philly Asians 4 Liberation & Mutual Solidarity, a group of queer Asian artists and activists committed to deepening solidarity and coalition building with neighbors fighting for Black liberation, abolition, and racial and economic justice.
- Teaching: I have more than a decade of experience tutoring, mentoring, and teaching science and visual arts to students, ranging from elementary school to undergraduate, in one-on-one, classroom, and travel-abroad settings.
- Nonprofit management: From 2013 to 2016, I helped oversee operations, taught, fundraised, and served as Secretary of the Board for UPP Arts, an urban arts and environmental education nonprofit based in Rhode Island.
- Copywriting/communications: In 2016, I led copywriting and media relations for Trinus, a consumer 3D printer, helping raise >$1.6 million on Kickstarter. In 2013 and 2014, I ran book campaigns for Connection: Hollywood Storytelling Meets Critical Thinking, by Randy Olson, and Don’t Even Think About It: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Ignore Climate Change, by George Marshall.
- Language: Mandarin (conversational)
- Visual art: I have more than five years of formal training in illustration, painting, and studio art.
- Multimedia: Stop-motion animation, podcasts, Adobe Creative Suite, ProTools, Final Cut Pro, iMovie, Garage Band
- Online engagement: Social media (CrowdTangle, Social Pulse, Sprout Social, Buffer), SEO, Wordpress, Tumblr
- Scientific research: I can traverse muddy salt marshes without falling, bake dirt at extremely high temperatures, cajole ocean sediment cores into whispering climate histories to me, lasso ghost crabs in the night, construct DIY solar ovens and count fish while scuba diving.
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*Featured illustration by feini yin.