Bec Roldan, PhD
@becroldan.bsky.social
independent health & science journalist / former chemist
words in C&EN, NPR, Science, Nature, Breastcancer[dot]org
always learning something new
they/them
www.becroldan.com
words in C&EN, NPR, Science, Nature, Breastcancer[dot]org
always learning something new
they/them
www.becroldan.com
My latest for @npr.org: a fun quick turnaround about bat-eating rats and what this predatory behavior means for bat conservation and public health! www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Wait, what? A RAT caught and ate a BAT? And there's video! What does it portend?
Scientists filmed bats to see how they communicate while swarming. They found a surprise: In urban settings, rats attack bats. What are the implications for bats ... and virus spread to humans?
www.npr.org
November 11, 2025 at 10:10 PM
My latest for @npr.org: a fun quick turnaround about bat-eating rats and what this predatory behavior means for bat conservation and public health! www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Reposted by Bec Roldan, PhD
Welcome to the September 2025 Sharon Dunwoody Science Journalism Mentoring Program cohort at The Open Notebook! www.theopennotebook.com/2025/09/12/w...
Welcome to Our Newest Sharon Dunwoody Science Journalism Mentoring Program Cohort - The Open Notebook
Welcome to the September 2025 Sharon Dunwoody Science Journalism Mentoring Program cohort! This program brings together 16 early-career science journalists for a three-month peer-mentoring experience.
www.theopennotebook.com
September 12, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Welcome to the September 2025 Sharon Dunwoody Science Journalism Mentoring Program cohort at The Open Notebook! www.theopennotebook.com/2025/09/12/w...
Reposted by Bec Roldan, PhD
Next in the #Changemaker series @nature.com, chemist @drdaisyrosasv.bsky.social says at a time when US programs are pulling back on #DEI, Latinx researchers need to be even louder about the supports they need to succeed in #STEM. As told to @becroldan.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
I help to build support systems for Latina researchers
After leaving academia, chemist Daisy Rosas Vargas starting leading outreach to encourage Latina people in pursuit of science careers.
www.nature.com
July 7, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Next in the #Changemaker series @nature.com, chemist @drdaisyrosasv.bsky.social says at a time when US programs are pulling back on #DEI, Latinx researchers need to be even louder about the supports they need to succeed in #STEM. As told to @becroldan.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Can life persist even in the most polluted places? The answer is yes. These places are even home to organisms that detoxify contaminants! More on the microbes living in Superfund sites - and what they mean for environmental cleanup - in my latest for @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/environment/...
Learning from the life living in Superfund sites
Thriving microbe communities living in the most-polluted spots in the US offer insight into how to clean up the mess of pollution
cen.acs.org
July 2, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Can life persist even in the most polluted places? The answer is yes. These places are even home to organisms that detoxify contaminants! More on the microbes living in Superfund sites - and what they mean for environmental cleanup - in my latest for @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/environment/...
Reposted by Bec Roldan, PhD
“NSF says it’s OK to research technologies to help those with disabilities…But a training program serving only those with a disability would not be acceptable because it would be based on “broadening participation in STEM on the basis of a protected characteristic.””
NSF has spent decades—and billions of dollars—trying to attract more women and members of underrepresented groups into STEM. Not anymore. scim.ag/3RUtgZg
NSF starts to kill grants that violate Trump’s war on diversity efforts
Attracting women and minorities into science and studying misinformation are no longer priorities, agency says
scim.ag
April 18, 2025 at 10:47 PM
“NSF says it’s OK to research technologies to help those with disabilities…But a training program serving only those with a disability would not be acceptable because it would be based on “broadening participation in STEM on the basis of a protected characteristic.””
Reposted by Bec Roldan, PhD
NSF has spent decades—and billions of dollars—trying to attract more women and members of underrepresented groups into STEM. Not anymore. scim.ag/3RUtgZg
NSF starts to kill grants that violate Trump’s war on diversity efforts
Attracting women and minorities into science and studying misinformation are no longer priorities, agency says
scim.ag
April 18, 2025 at 10:30 PM
NSF has spent decades—and billions of dollars—trying to attract more women and members of underrepresented groups into STEM. Not anymore. scim.ag/3RUtgZg
This week, NSF launched a sexual misconduct crisis hotline for researchers, as an expansion of the agency's efforts to address sexual misconduct in the U.S. Antarctic Program. My first news piece for @science.org: www.science.org/content/arti...
Sexual misconduct helpline offers support for NSF community
The resource is an expansion of the agency’s efforts to address harassment in the U.S. Antarctic Program
www.science.org
April 18, 2025 at 8:08 PM
This week, NSF launched a sexual misconduct crisis hotline for researchers, as an expansion of the agency's efforts to address sexual misconduct in the U.S. Antarctic Program. My first news piece for @science.org: www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Bec Roldan, PhD
In terminating hundreds of NIH grants, the Trump administration dumped years of investment down the drain. In my latest @opinion.bloomberg.com column, we analyzed the cancelled projects & talked to scientists to understand just how much the public loses out. It's a lot: tinyurl.com/bdey86su
April 17, 2025 at 3:19 PM
In terminating hundreds of NIH grants, the Trump administration dumped years of investment down the drain. In my latest @opinion.bloomberg.com column, we analyzed the cancelled projects & talked to scientists to understand just how much the public loses out. It's a lot: tinyurl.com/bdey86su
My latest for @cenmag.bsky.social: How Nicole Dickson-Karn, an analytical teaching professor at the Ohio State University, used the East Palestine train derailment disaster to teach her students about the real-world applications of chemistry. cen.acs.org/education/un...
How to learn from a disaster
Nicole Dickson-Karn uses the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment to teach her students about the real-world applications of analytical chemistry
cen.acs.org
April 3, 2025 at 1:51 PM
My latest for @cenmag.bsky.social: How Nicole Dickson-Karn, an analytical teaching professor at the Ohio State University, used the East Palestine train derailment disaster to teach her students about the real-world applications of chemistry. cen.acs.org/education/un...
Reposted by Bec Roldan, PhD
Check out this great article from @becroldan.bsky.social!
Thanks for including me and the Schlenk Line Survival Guide!
Thanks for including me and the Schlenk Line Survival Guide!
My first "big" feature is out in C&EN! It highlights how open educational resources are hard to find for advanced chemists, but there *are* chemists who are committed to creating these free resources for others. #ChemSky👇 💡
cen.acs.org/education/gr...
cen.acs.org/education/gr...
Open-access chemistry lags other fields. Here’s how scientists are changing that
For advanced students and researchers, finding technical educational resources can be challenging. These chemists are fixing the problem.
cen.acs.org
March 6, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Check out this great article from @becroldan.bsky.social!
Thanks for including me and the Schlenk Line Survival Guide!
Thanks for including me and the Schlenk Line Survival Guide!
My first "big" feature is out in C&EN! It highlights how open educational resources are hard to find for advanced chemists, but there *are* chemists who are committed to creating these free resources for others. #ChemSky👇 💡
cen.acs.org/education/gr...
cen.acs.org/education/gr...
Open-access chemistry lags other fields. Here’s how scientists are changing that
For advanced students and researchers, finding technical educational resources can be challenging. These chemists are fixing the problem.
cen.acs.org
March 6, 2025 at 7:36 PM
My first "big" feature is out in C&EN! It highlights how open educational resources are hard to find for advanced chemists, but there *are* chemists who are committed to creating these free resources for others. #ChemSky👇 💡
cen.acs.org/education/gr...
cen.acs.org/education/gr...
Reposted by Bec Roldan, PhD
It is horrifying watching the government erase a demographic in real time and most people just not really caring.
February 18, 2025 at 12:20 PM
It is horrifying watching the government erase a demographic in real time and most people just not really caring.
Excellent reporting by @hencarnell.bsky.social for @motherjones.com on how trans health care has always been conservative and difficult to access
On transgender healthcare: "Medical transition is not something people are free to choose but something that has to be subject to incredibly strict, conservative investigation and assessment."
from:
from:
The hidden history of trans health care
Trump calls gender-affirming care a "dangerous trend." It's older than he is—and way less dangerous.
www.motherjones.com
February 7, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Excellent reporting by @hencarnell.bsky.social for @motherjones.com on how trans health care has always been conservative and difficult to access
Reposted by Bec Roldan, PhD
"Siloing science journalism is dangerous because it leaves the public vulnerable to misinformation. ... It allows powerful actors to manipulate public understanding by filling the void left by a lack of evidence-based reporting." www.niemanlab.org/2024/12/scie... by @siricarpenter.bsky.social
Science journalism becomes plain old journalism
"For too long, science journalism has been treated as something distinct, something <em>extra</em> — the domain of specialists writing for audiences who are already deeply interested in and informed a...
www.niemanlab.org
December 19, 2024 at 3:50 PM
"Siloing science journalism is dangerous because it leaves the public vulnerable to misinformation. ... It allows powerful actors to manipulate public understanding by filling the void left by a lack of evidence-based reporting." www.niemanlab.org/2024/12/scie... by @siricarpenter.bsky.social
Reposted by Bec Roldan, PhD
The ever amazing @becroldan.bsky.social wrote about me for @cenmag.bsky.social! 👨🔬
Chem teacher creates crosswords to inspire students
This high school chemistry instructor crafts diverse crossword puzzles in between teaching and competing on game shows
cen.acs.org
December 14, 2024 at 9:05 PM
The ever amazing @becroldan.bsky.social wrote about me for @cenmag.bsky.social! 👨🔬
I first met Nate Cardin on this queer podcast I ran in grad school. It was such a joy to profile him for @cenmag.bsky.social about his crosswording and game show adventures. He even created a chem-themed crossword to go along with the piece! Check it out!! #ChemTwitter👇
cen.acs.org/people/profi...
cen.acs.org/people/profi...
Chem teacher creates crosswords to inspire students
This high school chemistry instructor crafts diverse crossword puzzles in between teaching and competing on game shows
cen.acs.org
December 14, 2024 at 8:39 PM
I first met Nate Cardin on this queer podcast I ran in grad school. It was such a joy to profile him for @cenmag.bsky.social about his crosswording and game show adventures. He even created a chem-themed crossword to go along with the piece! Check it out!! #ChemTwitter👇
cen.acs.org/people/profi...
cen.acs.org/people/profi...
Reposted by Bec Roldan, PhD
Did you miss our #SciWri24 national meeting this year? Read a recap of the "Tools, Toys, or Trouble: Can A.I. Help Science Communicators?" workshop in Raleigh filed by NASW conference travel fellow Bec Roldan (@becroldan.bsky.social): www.nasw.org/article... 💚🧪📝
ScienceWriters2024 panel interrogates concerns, potential, and shortfalls of generative artificial intelligence in science communication
SciWri24 travel grantee Bec Roldan reports on the “Tools, Toys, or Trouble: Can A.I. Help Science Communicators” NASW workshop session in Raleigh organized by Abigail Eisenstadt and Matt Shipman.
www.nasw.org
December 11, 2024 at 2:29 AM
Did you miss our #SciWri24 national meeting this year? Read a recap of the "Tools, Toys, or Trouble: Can A.I. Help Science Communicators?" workshop in Raleigh filed by NASW conference travel fellow Bec Roldan (@becroldan.bsky.social): www.nasw.org/article... 💚🧪📝
I had an incredible time attending my first NASW conference hashtag#SciWri24 last month and I want to thank @younglandis.bsky.social and the folks at @sciencewriters.org for sponsoring me as a travel fellow. Check out my coverage of a conference session below 👇 if you weren't able to attend!
Did you miss our #SciWri24 national meeting this year? Read a recap of the "Tools, Toys, or Trouble: Can A.I. Help Science Communicators?" workshop in Raleigh filed by NASW conference travel fellow Bec Roldan (@becroldan.bsky.social): www.nasw.org/article... 💚🧪📝
ScienceWriters2024 panel interrogates concerns, potential, and shortfalls of generative artificial intelligence in science communication
SciWri24 travel grantee Bec Roldan reports on the “Tools, Toys, or Trouble: Can A.I. Help Science Communicators” NASW workshop session in Raleigh organized by Abigail Eisenstadt and Matt Shipman.
www.nasw.org
December 13, 2024 at 5:51 PM
I had an incredible time attending my first NASW conference hashtag#SciWri24 last month and I want to thank @younglandis.bsky.social and the folks at @sciencewriters.org for sponsoring me as a travel fellow. Check out my coverage of a conference session below 👇 if you weren't able to attend!
Hi #Chemsky! I'm looking for sources for a story I'm working on about technical and research-relevant open source educational resources. 👇More below
November 21, 2024 at 4:51 PM
Hi #Chemsky! I'm looking for sources for a story I'm working on about technical and research-relevant open source educational resources. 👇More below
".. some science is polarizing. But that does not make it not science." 💯 great piece from @sabs.bsky.social
November 20, 2024 at 6:21 PM
".. some science is polarizing. But that does not make it not science." 💯 great piece from @sabs.bsky.social
Reposted by Bec Roldan, PhD
It's trans day of remembrance where we remember all of our siblings we've lost this year to violence and hate. We know we've lost at least 350 trans and nonbinary people have been murdered in the last year.
We honor the dead and fight like hell for the living.
We honor the dead and fight like hell for the living.
November 20, 2024 at 2:37 PM
It's trans day of remembrance where we remember all of our siblings we've lost this year to violence and hate. We know we've lost at least 350 trans and nonbinary people have been murdered in the last year.
We honor the dead and fight like hell for the living.
We honor the dead and fight like hell for the living.
I can’t say enough good things about this fellowship! Apply! Seriously do it.
And any queer & trans folks out there — DM me and I’ll read over your application! 🦋
And any queer & trans folks out there — DM me and I’ll read over your application! 🦋
Are you ready to try something new and work in #SciComm?
Apply by Jan 1, 2025 to be a part of #MMF50th and join an alumni cohort of over 850 as you spend the summer using your STEM background as a journalist writing the news!
aaas.org/mmf
Apply by Jan 1, 2025 to be a part of #MMF50th and join an alumni cohort of over 850 as you spend the summer using your STEM background as a journalist writing the news!
aaas.org/mmf
November 16, 2024 at 2:41 PM
I can’t say enough good things about this fellowship! Apply! Seriously do it.
And any queer & trans folks out there — DM me and I’ll read over your application! 🦋
And any queer & trans folks out there — DM me and I’ll read over your application! 🦋
In my latest for @cenmag.bsky.social, I profiled three chemists for C&EN's 2024 Trailblazers Issue highlighting Latinx chemists. All articles are available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
September 23, 2024 at 2:37 PM
In my latest for @cenmag.bsky.social, I profiled three chemists for C&EN's 2024 Trailblazers Issue highlighting Latinx chemists. All articles are available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.