About

I spent a lot of time in the woods growing up, and, as such, many of my questions about the world center around how nature works.  It’s a combination of ecology and evolution: how do organisms survive in situ, and what pressures over time made them look and behave the ways they do?

As I’ve grown older, I’ve begun to appreciate that nature isn’t some demarcated box – that the world we humans inhabit is also worth studying for its ecology.  And I don’t just mean the times when a hawk nests on top of a building.  We may have constructed this world, but does that mean that it’s no longer “nature?”  In particular, I’m interested in conservation efforts to preserve this elusive “nature:” why many feel it’s our duty and whether it is.  (Right now, I would say that it is our duty.  But I reserve the right to switch sides whenever I see fit.)

I also have my heart invested into science education in elementary and high schools and spend a lot of time thinking about the best ways to teach and explain science that provide enough context and also are memorable.  That is why I started this blog in the first place.

I don’t really care about page hits.  That’s not what this site is about.

I love science and I love to write about science.  The mini-essays you read here are well-researched, and I work hard to give context beyond just the paper.  I am still learning so appreciate any corrections or criticisms of my writing.

If you want to guest post, email me: culturingscience [at] gmail [dot] com

Also email if you want access to a paper I’ve written about here

About me:

I’m Hannah Waters, a science-lovin lady trying to find the best way to translate my passion into services, information, and, if I’m lucky, money.  I’ve done research on seabird ecology, leaf-cutter ant ecology, the epigenetic profiles of aging yeast.  I’ve also worked in conservation, marine tourism, science education, and as a hot dog salesperson.

In February 2011, I began the next chapter: a science journalism internship.  Will I make it out alive and not become entirely jaded?  Stay tuned…

Follow me on Twitter! @hannahjwaters

Here’s my online portfolio: Hannah Waters (I’m a grown-up science writer now!)

Bloggin my heart out, January 2011. That's my "thinking" face." Picture by Michal Waldfogel