Rina Diane Caballar
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rinadiane.bsky.social
Rina Diane Caballar
@rinadiane.bsky.social
👩🏽‍💻📝Freelance science & tech journalist | Content writer | Copy editor 🇵🇭🇳🇿 (she/her) | rinacaballar.com
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Finally made my way to bluer skies! I'm Rina, a freelance journalist covering tech & its intersections w/ science, society & the environment. I'm also a copy editor & content writer. Born & raised in the Philippines🇵🇭, now living in Aotearoa🇳🇿 Excited to connect & share my work w/ everyone on here!
Reposted by Rina Diane Caballar
I've had another article published (I know, I'm on a roll!) This one is about Waiaroha, a water-treatment plant, community hub, and discovery centre all in one, delivered by a huge team, and co-designed by local Māori 🧪 thebrilliant.com/case-studies...
Turning a deep distrust of water into love
When a New Zealand town needed a new water-treatment facility, they built a first-of-its-kind community hub that combines art, science, indigenous knowledge and play.
thebrilliant.com
April 14, 2024 at 11:58 PM
Reposted by Rina Diane Caballar
Resharing my article about Alyce Lysaght that was published last week in The Brilliant. I've been listening to Lysaght’s Māori in Engineering podcast for a while, so it was a genuine pleasure to sit down and talk with her about her life and work. thebrilliant-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/thebrill... 🧪
Showcasing Māori engineering brilliance, one podcast at a time - The Brilliant
As an undergrad, Alyce Lysaght struggled to find stories about Māori engineers. She decided to change that, launching a podcast that has become a destination for students and professionals alike
thebrilliant-com.cdn.ampproject.org
April 2, 2024 at 5:40 AM
Reposted by Rina Diane Caballar
If you're in the market for a pop-sci book, please consider picking up a copy of mine. I think it's the best thing I've ever written. Nature called it "a wild ride", which I love 🦎
Or if you've already read & enjoyed it, could you please write a lil review? Thx 😊
uk.bookshop.org/p/books/stic...
Sticky: The Secret Science of Surfaces a book by Laurie Winkless.
You are surrounded by stickiness. With every step you take, air molecules cling to you and slow you down; the effect is harder to ignore in water. When you hit the road, whether powered by pedal or en...
uk.bookshop.org
March 9, 2024 at 7:34 AM
Reposted by Rina Diane Caballar
Want a deep dive into all things #kakapo? Check out the latest @docgovtnz Sounds of Science podcast, where I tell some of the #conservation stories you won’t hear elsewhere. Stream online at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast or in your podcast app. #parrots #SoundsOfScience #scicomms
March 7, 2024 at 5:09 AM
It's #NZ #SeaWeek 🌊 To celebrate, I'm sharing my feature for @snexplores.bsky.social on restoring giant kelp forests in Wellington. It's a community effort helmed by Love Rimurimu & involves scientists + a team of "kelpers" — volunteer divers, kids, and teens 🧪 🌏

www.snexplores.org/article/rest...
Restoring giant underwater forests, one blade at a time
Giant kelp are at risk due to climate change and human activities. In New Zealand, a community effort is rebuilding these underwater algal forests.
www.snexplores.org
March 5, 2024 at 8:05 AM
Reposted by Rina Diane Caballar
I don't like "Your first draft will be shitty" as advice, because it's a really negative framing.

I prefer, "You have the freedom to be messy creating your first draft."

Anyone crafter knows what their room looks like mid-creation. Writers should be as free to be as exhuberent and messy.
February 16, 2024 at 3:35 PM
With #COP28 ending, I wrote about how the low-carbon version of its website is a missed opportunity, w/ brilliant analysis from two web developers & web sustainability advocates + tips on how to create a truly low-carbon website

spectrum.ieee.org/internet-car...
COP28 Takeaway: Are Low-Carbon Websites Possible?
COP28 website’s low-carbon version is a missed opportunity
spectrum.ieee.org
December 13, 2023 at 8:24 AM
I had fun writing this story for Knowable Magazine about Aotearoa NZ's 🇳🇿quest to save its endangered kākāpō. Genomic sequencing 🧬 + relocating #birds from offshore islands to a mainland fenced sanctuary are slowly restoring these rotund, flightless parrots🦜 🪶 🧪

knowablemagazine.org/article/livi...
knowablemagazine.org
December 1, 2023 at 9:31 AM
Reposted by Rina Diane Caballar
Absolutely loved the SCANZ conference. Best array of nature and science gathered fashion I’ve ever seen. Also really interesting talks and great people.
November 17, 2023 at 5:47 AM
Enjoyed my 1st science comms conference in Aotearoa. THE highlight was hanging out w/ @lauriewinkless.bsky.social — brilliant writer, amazing science storyteller & lovely human all around. We're Twitter mutuals but finally met IRL & got on fabulously. I hope it's the start of a wonderful friendship.
November 18, 2023 at 12:25 AM
Reposted by Rina Diane Caballar
sry Aotearoa there's one more important election you need to vote in - polls open at 9am on Monday at www.birdoftheyear.org.nz
October 25, 2023 at 4:18 AM
We have a runner🦜
We’re learning about #kakapo in fenced sanctuaries! Tautahi recently avoided the kākāpō barrier at new site Maungatautari by using a fallen tree to jump the fence. We’re increasing monitoring, including using a drone (Wildlife Drones) to track them. 📸 Jake Osborne
www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-r...
October 17, 2023 at 9:23 AM
Reposted by Rina Diane Caballar
I carefully maintain a list of the funniest images I've ever seen on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's wonderful Macaulay Library, and today I gift them to you
macaulaylibrary.org/asset/608452...
ML608452541 Green Heron Macaulay Library
Macaulay Library ML608452541; © Arthur Mercado; Hennepin, Minnesota, United States
macaulaylibrary.org
October 3, 2023 at 4:33 PM
For IEEE Spectrum, I wrote about a study conducted by researchers at Cornell University & Brown University on how #AugmentedReality glasses create a power imbalance & insights on how the industry can design more inclusive #AR tech
spectrum.ieee.org/ar-glasses
AR Glasses Spawn a Whole New Social Dynamic
Is there a power imbalance between wearers and nonwearers in mixed company?
spectrum.ieee.org
October 3, 2023 at 5:08 AM
For AARP International's annual magazine, The Journal, I ventured into Nelson's Brook Waimārama Sanctuary & Paremata Flats Reserve to profile older volunteers, who are major contributors to Aotearoa New Zealand's #conservation efforts🌏
www.aarpinternational.org/the-journal/...
Nature's Keepers | aarpinternational.org
Learn more about Nature's Keepers at aarpinternational.org
www.aarpinternational.org
September 29, 2023 at 11:54 PM
Tūīs are my favorite birds. Love their regal and majestic vibes.
Endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand 🇳🇿is the Tui. Nectar feeder and a wonderful vocalist. Orange pollen from feeding on flax flowers. The iridescent colours are amplified by the late afternoon light.
#birds
September 28, 2023 at 4:46 AM
Finally made my way to bluer skies! I'm Rina, a freelance journalist covering tech & its intersections w/ science, society & the environment. I'm also a copy editor & content writer. Born & raised in the Philippines🇵🇭, now living in Aotearoa🇳🇿 Excited to connect & share my work w/ everyone on here!
September 21, 2023 at 8:57 AM
Hello world!
September 19, 2023 at 10:29 AM