#UCSciCommSeries Presents: Becky Mackelprang

At the first event in a collaborative speaker series focused on careers in science communication we heard from Becky Mackelprang, Associate Director for Security Programs at the Engineering Biology Research Consortium (EBRC). Becky began her talk by acknowledging that all career paths are unique, and that thinking in terms of broader themes may be more useful than focusing on the specific steps someone has taken to reach their current position. Her own career in science communication began while receiving her Ph.D. in Plant Biology in 2017 from UC Berkeley where she studied plant responses to bacterial and fungal pathogens. Interested in supporting science away from the bench, she completed a science communication postdoc with Dr. Peggy Lemaux, and was an AAAS Mass Media Fellow at Ensia where she wrote about agriculture and biotechnology. She joined EBRC in 2019 as a postdoc supporting the Security Focus Area and has transitioned to a new role as EBRC’s Associate Director for Security Programs. 

Becky emphasized that future employers want to see a demonstrated passion for science communication, and repeatedly highlighted the importance of writing experience. She also discussed the importance of finding allies/mentors, maintaining a growth mindset while avoiding imposter syndrome, being prepared for rejection, and taking the opportunities you have for science communication (or creating new ones). By the end of the talk, we had discussed a long list of resources available to scientists interested in careers in science communication. The AAAS Mass Media Fellowship places scientists in media programs for 10 weeks, where they gain experience translating scientific research. Locally, several opportunities exist through NPR, including submitting a KQED Perspective. For people specifically interested in developing their writing skills, the NPR Scicommers Writers Program provides writers with feedback and the opportunity to potentially publish an article for the public. For developing skills specific to science policy, the AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowship and the CCST Policy Fellowship are both potential options.

Nate Diplock is currently a PhD candidate in Plant Biology at UC Berkeley. He studies the molecular mechanisms of the plant immune system, and is interested in applications related to agriculture.

For more content from the UC Davis science communication group "Science Says", follow us on Twitter @SciSays.