Writing

Science

Medical/Health

Journalism

Public Relations

About

Resume

Bio

Other Skills

Computer

Geology

Home

RECENT EXPERIENCE

Freelance Science Writer 2000-2007
Clients include ScienceNow, Discovery.com, the San Jose Mercury News, the American Gastroenterological Association and New Scientist.
Health and Science Editor Aug. 2006-Sept. 2007
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill News Services
  • Managed flow of health and science news from communicators at a large public university with schools of medicine, nursing and pharmacy.
  • Edited and authored press releases, advisories, fact sheets and guest columns.
  • Represented university at conferences and in media interviews.
  • Directed redesign of news Web site (took over project in progress).
Public Relations Specialist Feb. 2004-Aug. 2006
Duke University Medical Center News Office
  • Interviewed faculty and turned their findings into creative news releases and pitches.
  • Produced hits in local and national media including Scientific American, the Wall St. Journal, Reader's Digest, Good Morning America and NPR.
  • Managed and updated news Web site (www.dukemednews.org).
  • Created blog (www.dukemednews.blogspot.com) for Hurricane Katrina relief team.
  • Anticipated and solved crisis communications issues.
  • Provided media training and strategic counsel to faculty staff.
  • Recruited and supervised interns.
Science/City Reporter Jan. 2001-Dec. 2003
Pasadena Star-News
  • Tracked and reported on two of the country’s leading science institutions, the California Institute of Technology and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
  • Writing included breaking and daily news, weekend features and 3,000- to 6,000-word series covering everything from high-energy particle physics to Caltech’s cheerleading squad.
  • Covered life and politics in Altadena, a town of 42,000 tucked against the San Gabriel Mountains. Reported on community, government and environmental issues.
  • Produced award-winning investigative articles that led to government action.
Environmental Geologist Jan. 1998-Aug. 1999
Dames & Moore
  • Managed budgets, handled hazardous waste, worked with government agencies and averaged nine environmental assessment reports per month for properties within a four-county radius of Los Angeles.
Tour Bus Driver Feb.-Aug. 1997
Gray Line Tours of Alaska
  • Responsible for the entertainment and safety of up to 60 passengers on a three-day trip between Fairbanks and Skagway, Alaska.

SKILLS

Computer
  • Experience creating and managing web-based content and communications plans.
  • Willingness and ability to quickly to learn new technologies.
  • Programming/Web authoring: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, some PHP, GMT.
  • Graphics/Multimedia: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Acrobat; digital photography and editing.
  • OS Platforms: UNIX, Windows 3.X through XP, Apple through Mac OS X. All Microsoft office programs, including high-level Excel applications.
  • PR services including Cision, Profnet and EurekAlert.
Language
Good reading and fair speaking proficiency in Spanish. Completed Spanish for health care professionals course in 2005.

EDUCATION

University of California, Santa Cruz Class of 2000
Master's Program Certificate in Science Writing
California Institute of Technology Class of 1997
M.S.in Geology – Precambrian glacial rocks in Death Valley, Calif.
Washington State University Class of 1994
B.S. in Geology

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND AWARDS

Member, National Association of Science Writers
2nd place, investigative/series; Los Angeles Press Club Awards
FACSNET reporting fellowship

INTERNSHIPS

Public Relations June-Dec. 2000
Idaho National Laboratory
Reporter Spring 2000
The Salinas Californian
Web Reporter Winter 2000
Discovery.com

Contact me: boskin at nasw dot org