Behind the Science: an Interview With Our Marketing & Communications Manager

Q: What do you do at The Lawrence?

A: I help tell the story and keep our audiences informed about all the awesome stuff happening every day at The Lawrence! Most of my job is writing, including writing descriptions for exhibits and events, content for our website and email newsletters, and signage on the museum floor. I also help manage graphic design, advertising, and other projects.

Q: What is your favorite exhibit at The Lawrence and why?

A: My favorite exhibit is the Outdoor Nature Lab, for a couple of reasons. I love to hike and spend time outdoors, so the exhibit gives me a wonderful little taste of nature within walking distance of my office. Having been here long enough to know what was there before the Outdoor Nature Lab, I also appreciate the great use of the space and what a huge improvement it’s been for the science center.

Q: Describe your path to science/education

A: As a historian by training, I never expected to end up working at a science center. My path to The Lawrence was through education and museums, rather than science. When I was in college, I was originally studying to be a history teacher. However, one summer I had my first museum job, an internship at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. I had always loved visiting museums as a kid, and realized that I could actually go into museum work as a career. I decided to pursue a graduate degree in museum studies with a concentration in new media and interactivity, at George Washington University in D.C. My experience and expertise in promoting and writing about museums eventually led me here!

Q: What would you say if you could give your childhood self one piece of advice?

A: I would probably tell my childhood self to try to get more into science! When I was in school, I was always more interested in the humanities, like history and English. Since working at The Lawrence, I’ve gained a greater appreciation for the value and importance of STEM subjects, but I’m still not very knowledgeable when it comes to science. I wish I had learned, explored, and absorbed more when I was younger, to give me a better foundation to build on as an adult. 

Q: Do you have an unrealized project you want to talk about?

A: Several years ago, I organized a science fiction film festival at The Lawrence. The events invited scientists from UC Berkeley and beyond to discuss each film in the context of their real life research. We even got Jill Tarter, the inspiration for Jodi Foster’s character in Contact, to come and speak before a screening. We haven’t done the event since, but I’d love to start it up again, especially now that our 3D Theater has been renovated!

Q: If you could be any animal, real or imaginary, which would you be and why?

A: I would probably be a cat. I have a pet cat who has a pretty nice relaxing life. It would be fun to vacillate between several hour naps and crazy climbing, jumping, and playing depending on my mood!

Q: What do you do in your free time that no one would expect?

A: I brew my own beer at home! It’s something I got into during the pandemic, and it’s so much fun. I’ve actually learned a lot of math and chemistry thanks to brewing, and I’ve had to do more math than I’ve done since I was in school. It’s a great scientific hobby!