Portfolio

Detailed Curriculum Vitae

Patricia McAdams
Kennett Square, Pa.
pmcadams@nasw.org
(610) 444-1669

SCIENCE WRITING AND EDITING

INDEPENDENT WRITER
I have almost 15 years experience writing and editing scientific copy for a general audience. The concentration of my experience has been in agriculture and biotechnology, human health and the environment. Assignments have been centered on researching and writing news and feature stories about breaking scientific research; and editing large, multiple-author reports and publications. I managed the design, page layout, and production of many of these publications. I live in southeastern Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

GENERAL EXPERIENCE

WRITING
Experienced writing news and feature stories, press releases, and other research summaries. Published articles in AARP Bulletin, Science, Family Circle, Hawk Mountain News, EpilepsyUSA, Lifeline, The Lancaster Newspapers, Intelligencer Journal and Lancaster New Era, The Penn Stater, Pennsylvania Forests, Country, Pennsylvania Illustrated, Church Teacher, Outreach, The Messenger, Horizons, Academy News, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Environmental Health Perspectives. A sampling of these articles include the following:

Newspapers
• "More than a pet." [Re:  Canine Partners For Life, a service dog organization in Cochranville, Pa.]  Intelligencer Journal, 2006.
• "Coping with ADHD in the workplace."  Intelligencer Journal, 2006.
• "A career with teeth in it."  Intelligencer Journal, 2006.
• "The science of sleep."  Intelligencer Journal, 2006.
• "When the pressure's on."  Intelligencer Journal, 2006.
• "Local volunteer effort scores big for medical research."  Intelligencer Journal, 2006.
• "Accidental entrepreneurs."  Intelligencer Journal, 2006.
• "Breathing room: Robert Lombard Hyperbaric Oxygenation Medical Center is county's best kept secret."  Intelligencer Journal, 2006.
• "Food safety: 101."  Intelligencer Journal, 2006.
• "Chocolate:  The sweetest way to good health."  Intelligencer Journal, 2006.
• "In the business of helping others."  [Re:  Therapeutic riding] Intelligencer Journal, 2006.
• "Want to live a long, healthy life? Learn to manage stress." [Re: Biology of aging].  Intelligencer Journal, 2005.
• "Treating vertigo: When rocking and rolling can heal."  Intelligencer Journal, 2005.
• "Shots heard 'round the world:  Waging war against the flu."  Intelligencer Journal, 2005.
• "Take your pick: 'Hands-on' farm fosters family togetherness, good health."  Intelligencer Journal, 2005.
• "Pointing the way ... Managing arthritis and back pain: Acupuncture offers an alternative."  Intelligencer Journal, 2005.
• "Bi-polar disorder: What is it really like" (Part I); "Bi-polar disorder: The symptoms, the stigma, the treatment, the hope (Part II)."  Intelligencer Journal, 2005.

Magazines/Newsletters
• "Love of her life."  EpilepsyUSA.  Spring, 2007.
• "Beyond expectation."  Reflections.  American Diabetes Association.  Spring, 2007.
• "The promise of songbirds."  Hawk Mountain News.  Spring 2007.
• "Exploring the tiniest of science frontiers,"  UPenn Arts & Sciences; University of Pennsylvania, 2006.
• "The first step may be the hardest," [Re:  Total knee replacement surgery].  AARP Bulletin, 2006.
• "Colleen's comeback."  Family Circle, 2003.
• "AAAS center fosters future leaders, quality curricula." AAAS News and Notes, Science, 2004.
• "Canon scholars explore Vieques Island ecosystem."  AAAS News and Notes, Science, 2004.
• "Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy (HBOT):  Can it relieve your pain?" Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association, 2006.
• "Beyond Pain:  Some hope for healing,"  Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association, 2006.
• "Weighing the Results:  Patients and specialists share stories about HBOT," Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association, 2006.
• "Red meat linked to risk of breast cancer for premenopausal women."  Lifeline, Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, 2007.
• "How do you make sure your patients get the referrals and services they need?"  Lifeline, Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, 2006.
• "How soon after treatment ends can I get spa and message therapies?  Are there other complementary therapies I might consider?"  Lifeline, Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, 2006.
• "How do you care for patients who have specific cultural needs?"  Lifeline, Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, 2006.
• "Breast cancer doesn't discriminate."  Lifeline, Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, 2006.
• "Insomnia."  Lifeline, Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, 2006.
• "What should my follow-up be after treatment for breast cancer?" Lifeline, Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, 2006.
• "While undergoing treatment for breast cancer, are there any precautions I should take when enjoying the summer outdoors?"  Lifeline, Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, 2005.
• "Weight gain. Physical activity benefits breast cancer survivors."  Lifeline, Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, 2005.
• "Depression following breast cancer diagnosis. Is it a big problem?"  Lifeline, Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, 2005.
• "Is it safe to become pregnant after completing treatment for breast cancer?"  Lifeline, Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, 2004.
• "New life science research center to open."  The Messenger, University of Delaware, 2000.
• "UD professor unraveling the secrets of root nodules."  Horizons, University of Delaware, 2001.
• "Myeloma researchers strategize streamlining of new drug development."  Newsletter: Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 2005.
• "Who's minding the stream?"  The Penn Stater and Pennsylvania Forests.
• "Practicing Science in the Arctic."  Academy News.
• "Tiny diatoms bridge past and present."  Academy News.
• "Pesticides in baby food."  Environmental Health Perspective.
• "Alum News:  Oozing with the Ouseys."  The Penn Stater.
• "Below the thirtieth parallel."  Church Teacher.

Press releases
• "Mother's stress may affect fetus."  In The Washington Post, 2006.
• "Cognitive behavior therapy benefits young people with obsessive compulsive disorders."  Health Behavior News Service; Center for the Advancement of Health, 2006.
• "Study links low testosterone mortality in male veterans."  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2006.
• "Study pinpoints foster children as most at risk for chronic health problems."  Health Behavior News Service; Center for the Advancement of Health, 2006.
• "Evidence fails to support superiority of AA, similar 12-step programs."  Health Behavior News Service; Center for the Advancement of Health, 2006.
• "Exercise works best for work-related complaints of upper body." Health Behavior News Service; Center for the Advancement of Health, 2006.
• "Preventing falls promising way to avoid disability among the aged." Health Behavior News Service; Center for the Advancement of Health, 2006.
• "Ted Turner to Receive Prestigious Franklin Institute Award."  2006.
• "University of Pennsylvania Alum Donald A. Norman to Receive 2006 Benjamin Franklin Medal for Pioneering Contributions to Computer and Cognitive Science." 
• "Penn State Professor and Alum Wins 2004 Franklin Institute Award for Electrical Engineering."
• "Philadelphia Native Son and MSNBC Anchor Chris Matthews to Host 178th Franklin Institute Awards April 24." The Franklin Institute, 2004.
• "Paul B. MacCready, Foremost Scientist in the Field of Aviation, Wins Award and $250,000 Prize for Achievement." The Franklin Institute, 2003.
• "Andrew J. Viterbi to Receive Prestigious 2005 Benjamin Franklin Medal for his Pioneering Contributions to Wireless Communications."
• "University of Pennsylvania Professor Avarind K. Joshi to Receive 2005 Benjamin Franklin Medal for Extraordinary Contributions to Computer and Cognitive Sciences." 
• "Weed develops resistance to herbicide."  University of Delaware, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2002.
• "UD scores big on USDA grants."  University of Delaware, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2002.
• "Managing DNA data: UD professors win NSF bioinformatics award."  University of Delaware, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2001.
• "Biotechnology: A closer look. Unraveling the mysteries of life."  University of Delaware, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2000.
• "Cogburn awarded $1.8 million for gene mapping."  University of Delaware, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2000.
• "The economics of biotechnology."  University of Delaware, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2000.
• "UD biologist receive grant to help develop chicken genome."  University of Delaware, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2000.
• "Use web, newsletter, books, class to learn more about biotechnology."  University of Delaware, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2000.
• "UD scientists awarded $3.75 million in grants."  University of Delaware, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2000.
• "Modified foods: UD agents grapple with biotech farming issues."  University of Delaware, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 1999.
• "Toxic pollutants rocket through atmosphere." Academy of Natural Sciences.
• "Are Arctic fish contaminated with mercury?" Academy of Natural Sciences.

Presentation
"A Biotechnology Primer," compiled for the Delaware Biotechnology Institute and the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources to be presented to Science Olympiad, a group of high school scholars, to acquaint them with careers in biotechnology.

Online articles
• Science in the Spotlight:  "Personalized medicine takes a bow."  Alliance for Aging Research, 2006.
• Science in the Spotlight:  "Compound identified in grapefruit juice that boosts absorption rate of some drugs."  Alliance for Aging Research, 2006.
• "Balancing Act: How to keep your balance and avoid falls."  American Federation for Aging Research, 2005.• Rui Hai Liu, M.D., Ph.D., "Report card: Apples earn an A+ in fighting disease."  American Federation for Aging Research, 2005.
• Jean C. McSweeney, Ph.D., R.N., "Unusual fatigue, sleeping disturbances, may predict heart attack in women at risk."  American Federation for Aging Research, 2005.
• Jane Brice, M.D., "Coping with a brain attack: Identify stroke quickly and call 9-1-1."  American Federation for Aging Research, 2005.
• Luigi Fontana, M.D. Ph.D., "Risk of clogged arteries plummets in humans following severe caloric restricted diet."  American Federation for Aging Research, 2005.
• Johannes Vieweg, M.D., "Duke doctors excited about therapeutic cancer vaccine."  American Federation for Aging Research, 2005.
• Elissa Epel, Ph.D., "Research links stress to biological aging for the first time."  American Federation for Aging Research, 2005.
• Edgar Miller, M.D. Ph.D., "Too much of a good thing? High doses of Vitamin E increase risk of death."  American Federation for Aging Research, 2005.
• Anne Kenny, M.D., "Fighting osteoporosis without drugs: Can it be done?"  American Federation for Aging Research, 2004.
• Frederick G. Hayden, M.D., "Vaccine and anti-viral drugs both effective against flu."  American Federation for Aging Research, 2004.
• Thomas L. Petty, M.D., "Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be treated!"  American Federation for Aging Research, 2004.
• Sheila A. M. Rauch, Ph.D., "Treating anxiety: The biology of fear."  American Federation for Aging Research, 2004.
• Matthew Clark, Ph.D., "Want to quit smoking? New motivation for a clean break."  American Federation for Aging Research, 2004.
• Chang Y. Lee, Ph.D., "Cocoa's surprising health benefits."  American Federation for Aging Research, 2004.
• Frederick C. Blow, Ph.D., "Alcohol abuse and older adults." American Federation for Aging Research, 2004.
• Julia Rowland, Ph.D., "Ensuring the highest quality of life for cancer survivors."  American Federation for Aging Research, 2004.
• Jurgen Unutzer, M.D., M.P.H., "Treating depression."  American Federation for Aging Research, 2003.
• Claude Lenfant, M.D., "New and stricter high blood pressure guidelines issued by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute."  American Federation for Aging Research, 2003.
• "All about killer bees."  UD Daily, University of Delaware, 2002.

Profiles 
Researched and wrote biographies of scientists for the University of Delaware, Gale Research Company, and The Franklin Institute and Science Museum. Profiles include the following:
• Atal, Bishnu, Ph.D., 2003 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Bacon, Roger, Ph.D., 2004 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Bahcall, John N., Ph.D., 2003 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Bateson, William, Ph.D.  Notable Twentieth-Century Scientists, Gale Research Company.
• Benzer, Seymour, Ph.D., 2004 Bower Awards, The Franklin Institute.
• Berner, Robert Arbuckle, Ph.D., Notable Twentieth-Century Scientists, Gale Research.
• Blackburn, Elizabeth, Ph.D., 2005 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Borlaugh, Norman, Ph.D., The Delaware Biotechnology Institute, 2001.
• Brenner, Sydney, Ph.D., The Delaware Biotechnology Institute, 2001.
• Burton, Glenn Willard, Ph.D., Notable Twentieth-Century Scientists, Gale Research.
• Clough, Ray W., Ph.D., 2006 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Dalrumple, G. Brent, Ph.D., Notable Twentieth-Century Scientists, Gale Research.
• Damadian, Raymond, Ph.D., 2004 Bower Awards, The Franklin Institute.
• Danishefsky, Samuel J., Ph.D., 2006 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Davis, Raymond, Ph.D., 2003 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Goodall, Jane, Ph.D., 2003 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Gray, Harry, Ph.D., 2004 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Greenwalt, Crawford, Ph.D., The Delaware Biotechnology Institute, 2001.
• Haenlein, George, Ph.D.,"Haenlein retires from faculty, but not from teaching." Ag Alumni News, and Outreach. University of Delaware, 2000.
• Hingorani, Narain G., Ph.D., 2006 Bower Awards.  The Franklin Institute.
• Hochstrasser, Robin, Ph.D., 2003 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Joshi, Aravind K., Ph.D., 2005 Bower Awards, The Franklin Institute.
• Kagan, Henry, Ph.D., 2005 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Karp, Richard, Ph.D., 2004 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Kelleher, Herbert D.  2003 Bower Awards, The Franklin Institute.
• Koshiba, Masatoshi, Ph.D., 2003 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Leopold, Luna B., Ph.D., 2006 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• MacCready, Paul B., Ph.D., 2003 Bower Awards, The Franklin Institute.
• McCarthy, John, Ph.D., 2003 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Meyer, Robert, Ph.D., 2004 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Nambu, Yoichiro, Ph.D., 2005 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Newnham, Robert E., Ph.D., 2004 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Norman, Donald A., Ph.D., 2006 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Nottebohm, Fernando, Ph.D., 2006 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Phillips, Norman, Ph.D., 2003 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Sammelwitz, Paul, Ph.D., "Sammelwitz retires from teaching after 40 years at UD." Ag Alumni News and Outreach. University of Delaware, 1999.
• Scoles, Giacinto, Ph.D., 2006 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Shtokman, Vladimir Boriscovich, Ph.D., Notable Twentieth-Century Scientists, Gale Research.
• Smagorinski, Joseph, Ph.D., 2003 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Thornton, Charles H., Ph.D., 2003 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Toennies, J. Peter, Ph.D., 2006 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Turner, Ted, 2006 Bower Awards.  The Franklin Institute.
• Wolman, M. Gordon, Ph.D., 2006 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Vail, Peter, Ph.D., 2005 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Viterbi, Andrew J., Ph.D., 2005 Benjamin Franklin Awards.
• Zaffaroni, Alejandro, Ph.D., 2005 Bower Awards, The Franklin Institute.

Research 
Write science reviews, workshop summaries, and other copy for the National Academies of Sciences, the American Federation for Aging Research, The Hormone Foundation, and other clients. These include the following.
• Ocean Science and Human Health.  National Academies of Sciences, 2007.
• Frontiers in Polar Biology in the Genomic Era, a science brief.  National Academies of Sciences, 2003.
• Wrote sidebars of polar research and stories of polar scientists for A Vision for the International Polar Year 2007-2008, a white paper. National Academies of Sciences, 2004. Stories include the following:
--"Lessons from the otters,"  Randal Davis, Ph.D.
--"Unraveling the secrets within polar ice,"  Richard Alley, Ph.D.
--"From pole to pole,"  Charles Goldman, Ph.D.
--"Impacts of environmental change on ecosystems,"  Berry Lyons, Ph.D.
--"Research at the top of the world,"  Mark Hermanson, Ph.D.
--"Research at the bottom of the world," Diana Wall, Ph.D.
• Minorities in the Chemical Workforce, a brochure disseminating the discussions of a professional meeting on diversity.  National Academies of Sciences, 2005. Brochure highlights the practices of a number of diverse organizations including the following:
--Case Study:  Louisiana State University
--Case Study:  Procter and Gamble
--Case Study: Rohm and Haas Company
--Case Study:  Spelman College
--Case Study:  The Dow Chemical Company
--Case Study:  The Meyerhoff Scholars Proram
--Case Study:  University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Reaching Industries, Communities, and Higher Education Students (RICHES)
• "Overview of Findings of Panel Reports," a book chapter for U.S. Corps of Engineers Contributions to National Water Management; National Academies of Sciences, 2004.
• Realizing the Promise and Potential of African Agriculture, an executive summary;  InterAgency Council and the National Academies of Sciences, 2004.
• The Progress and Promise of Systems Microbiology, a workshop summary;  National Academies of Sciences, 2003.
• Telomere Information Center; American Federation for Aging Research, 2007.
• Calorie Restriction Information Center; American Federation for Aging Research, 2007.
• Heart Disease Information Center; American Federation for Aging Research, 2004.
• Stroke Disease Information Center; American Federation for Aging Research, 2004.
• Alcohol Information Center; American Federation for Aging Research, 2004.
• Smoking Cessation Information Center; American Federation for Aging Research, 2004.
• Hearing Information Center; American Federation for Aging Research, 2004.
• Stress Information Center; American Federation for Aging Research, 2004.
• Vision Information Center; American Federation for Aging Research, 2004.
• Oral Health information Center; American Federation for Aging Research, 2004.
• "In Search of the Fountain of Health: The Hype and the Hope," a seminar summary, American Federation for Aging Research, 2004.
• Menopause Brochure -- The Hormone Foundation, 2007.
• Updating Web site -- The Hormone Foundation, 2007.
• "The Aging Healthcare Workforce: Implications for Worker Health and Safety," for Healthcare Hazard Management Monitor, ECRI, 2002.

Marketing and communications 
Wrote a variety of corporate communications and marketing materials including Corporate Identity Manual (ERM) and Adult Student Guide (Penn State). Co-wrote Science at the Academy (The Academy of Natural Sciences).

Newsletters
Writer and editor: Outreach (University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources), DBI News and Events (UD Delaware Biotechnology Institute); The Know-How Exchange Bulletin (ERM), Federal Market News, (ERM); Environmental Research (The Academy of Natural Sciences), and Adult Student News (Penn State).

Public relations
Wrote research-based news and feature stories and served as media contact for scientific research at the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and The Academy of Natural Sciences. Freelance assignments include public relations work with The Franklin Institute.

EDITING
Copy edited journal articles for medical publications and general-interest articles for other publications. Edited proposals, health and safety studies, and similar reports for public and private sector clients. Tasks included reviewing reports for adherence to standards, verifying cross references, and ensuring the consistency of information within the report. Assisted with the preparation and coordination of SF254s and SF255s for U.S. government facilities. Tasks included the creation of technical tables, professional resumes, and project summaries. Rewrote technical marketing materials for ERM Group companies in Latin America. Copyedited a variety of materials for health care journals and book publishers.  Edited Water Security Research and Technical Support Action Plan:  Executive Summary, for the National Homeland Security Research Center.

WEB
ERM.  Assumed responsibility for ERM Web site soon after it was launched. Moved the site to the next plateau of effectiveness as an interactive communications tool: Updated site weekly; responded to user requests for information and services; analyzed each page to optimize marketing potential; redesigned publications pages to allow for more efficient processing of orders internally; restructured the process for getting employment listings online immediately; responsible for re-engineering of site to facilitate increased quality control.

Webmaster  Parish Church

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
• National Association of Science Writers
• American Medical Writers Association
• Association of Health Care Journalists
• Editorial Freelancers Association

EDUCATION AND HONORS
• Penn State, 1991: Magna Cum Laude
• Liberal Arts: Concentration, Science communications
• President  Adult Student Organization, Penn State Delaware County: 1990 to 1991.
• Adult Student of the Year  Penn State Delaware County: 1991.
• Adult Student of the Year  Pennsylvania Association for Adults in Continuing Education: 1991.