Currently, I am a science writer for the University of Texas at Austin's Jackson School of Geosciences. I cover research and educuation across the earth sciences, including geology, geophysics, natural hazards, oil and gas exploration and climate change. In my spare time, I also freelance write about science, nature, society and the environment for print, radio and online outlets. I am a long-time member of the National Association of Science Writers.
From 1995 to 2006, I was a writer and producer for the award-winning daily science radio program Earth & Sky. I still maintain some links to the radio world, including a weekly on-air spot on Austin Information Radio, a radio reading service for the visually impaired. I have also written for national publications including Scientific American and Mercury.
After over a thousand conversations with scientists, I can talk science with the best of them. I'm an accomplished interviewer who can help the interviewee feel at ease, while capturing a compelling science story. I'm also skilled at taking a large amount of technical information and condensing it into a clear, concise and entertaining presentation that can be understood by a broad range of people. I'm a relentless minder of the multitude of details related to writing articles, creating online materials, doing voice work and producing radio segments.
I have a B.S. degree in Physics from the University of North Texas.
To learn more about my professional experiences, awards and affiliations, download my resume (PDF).
Dispatches from Zacaton: Updates from expedition to probe the world's deepest sinkhole, UT Austin's Jackson School of Geosciences, March 2007.
Course Correction: Pielke Calls for New Direction in Climate Science, UT Austin's Jackson School of Geosciences, March 7, 2007.
Sentinels of the Sea: Fossil corals help predict severity of global warming, UT Austin's Jackson School of Geosciences, October 30, 2006.
Scientists deepen confidence in technique to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, UT Austin's Jackson School of Geosciences, November 15, 2006.
Going with the Flow: David Mohrig studies the changing face of our planet, UT Austin's Jackson School of Geosciences, December 1, 2006.
How Much for Nano?, Earth & Sky Online, April 2005.
Interview: Darlene Ketten, Earth & Sky Online, January 2006. (Reprinted on the My Hero website)
Scientist Profile: Hazel Barton, Earth & Sky Online, February 2005. (Reprinted on the My Hero website)
Scientist Profile: Karen Carr, Earth & Sky Online, August 2002.
Scientist Profile: Azzam Alwash, Earth & Sky Online, September 2004. (Link temporarily unavailable)
Scientist Profile: David Levy, Earth & Sky Online, September 2003. (Link temporarily unavailable)
Scientist Profile: Peter Zahler, Earth & Sky Online, September 2002. (Link temporarily unavailable)
Scientist Profile: Ian Kerr, Earth & Sky Online, May 2002. (Link temporarily unavailable)
Scientist Profile: Jack Costello, Earth & Sky Online, February 2002. (Link temporarily unavailable)
Challenges of Communicating Scientific Research on the Radio, Creating Connections, Altamira Press, 2004.
Cleaning Up after the War, Scientific American, October, 2003. (Download PDF)
From Medical Museum to Science Showcase, Scientific American Explorations, Spring 2000.
The Universe in Your Hands, Mercury (the Journal of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific), Summer 1997. (Download PDF)
Earth in the Classroom, biannual teacher's booklet co-produced by Earth & Sky and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Managing Editor. (1995-1999).
I've written over 500 ninety-second radio segments for Earth & Sky. Here are just a few recent samples:
Vaccine "holy grail" of AIDS research, Earth & Sky, June 6, 2006
Living cell yields blueprint for nano engine, Earth & Sky, April 12, 2006
Hook, line and sinker, Earth & Sky, September 7, 2004
Debate over how universe was magnetized, Earth & Sky, November 19, 2004
Ethicicst ponders genetic selection of babies, Earth & Sky, May 10, 2005
Drilling in Canada aids martian life search, Earth & Sky, June 14, 2005
What do we owe the poor?, Earth & Sky, March 31, 2006
Kerry Emanuel speaks out on hurricanes, Earth & Sky, May 25, 2006
How long would it take to fill the Grand Canyon with trash?, Earth & Sky, February 20, 2004
AIDS tied to poverty, discrimination, violence, Earth & Sky, March 15, 2006
Rising sea forces islanders to relocate, Earth & Sky, February 8, 2006
Catching the wind to power our world, Earth & Sky, March 31, 2005
An unsolved math problem, worth 'prime' cash, Earth & Sky, January 28, 2005
Iraq-born scientist returns to "fertile crescent", Earth & Sky, September 20, 2004
I co-wrote and co-produced a series of 52 ninety-second science radio segments for a younger audience called Kids Earth & Sky. Here are a few samples:
Goldilocks, Kids Earth & Sky, 1998
Living Fossils, Kids Earth & Sky, 1998
Pangea, Kids Earth & Sky, 1998
I freelance wrote a two-minute segment for the Loh Down on Science, CalTech's daily science radio program. Here it is:
Sexy Flowers, Loh Down on Science, July 11, 2006
Looking for a freelance writer? Have an intriguing full-time position you'd like to tell me about?
Drop me an email at: marcairhart[AT]nasw.org
Or, if you prefer paper:
1204 Cullen Ave.
Austin, TX 78757