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Science Writer Nicola Twilley Discusses Mummy Sleuths, the Hunt for the Ancient Microbiome, and Finding Humanity in the Past
Feature Story
In a recent interview, Nicola Twilley talks about her reporting that followed scientists from the Institute for Mummy Studies as they excavate and glean discoveries from paleofeces preserved in the world’s oldest salt mine, and how that story changed her perspective on humanity and the past. Twilley was a 2025 award winner of the National Academies’ Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications.
The Rabbit Hole of Everyday Questions with Emily Zhang
Feature Story
Emily Zhang has created dozens of YouTube videos, receiving over 300 million views on subjects from the physics of bowling to the invention of blue LED. This year she started Rabbit Hole, a channel that offers “extraordinary answers to everyday questions.” We spoke with Zhang — a 2025 winner of the National Academies’ Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications — about Rabbit Hole and her experiences with YouTube as a medium for science communication.
Science, Society, and Culture: Brandon Ogbunu’s Case for a More Creative Scientific Enterprise
Feature Story
Computational biologist Brandon Ogbunu explores and writes about the intersection of science, society, and culture. We spoke to this 2024 winner of an Eric and Wendy Schmidt Award for Excellence in Science Communications about his recent work, including his explanation of why science communication is central to the practice of science, arguing that explaining and defending knowledge is as essential to the scientific enterprise as publishing research.
- Submission Period Now Open for the 2026 Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications; $640,000 To Be Awarded Mar 2, 2026 News Release
- Civic Science Media: Reimagining How We Communicate Science Jan 29, 2026 Feature Story
- From Illness to Impact: Turning Science into a Tool for Community Change Dec 29, 2025 Feature Story
- National Academies Announce 2025 Winners of Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications; $640,000 Awarded Oct 22, 2025 News Release
- Finalists Announced for $50 Million Award to Support a Safer, More Resilient, and Sustainable Future for the Gulf Coast Region Sep 9, 2025 News Release
- An Enduring Guide to Responsible Research Gets an Update Sep 2, 2025 Feature Story
- What Shapes What We Believe: Andy Luttrell on Opinion Science Aug 21, 2025 Feature Story
- A Tour of America’s Home for Science Offers Many Rich Discoveries Jul 29, 2025 Feature Story
- Science Communicator Sarah Goodwin Sparks Curiosity Through Film Jul 16, 2025 Feature Story
- Freelance Journalist Sofia Quaglia Tells Nature’s Untold Stories Apr 28, 2025 Feature Story
- ‘America can’t be great without great science. That is where the Academies can help.’ Mar 10, 2025 Feature Story
- Submission Period Now Open for the 2025 Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications; $640,000 to Be Awarded Feb 28, 2025 News Release
- Science in Everyday Life with Alex Dainis Jan 31, 2025 Feature Story
- Science Misinformation, Its Origins and Impacts, and Mitigation Strategies Examined in New Report; Multisector Action Needed to Increase Visibility of, Access to High-Quality Science Information Dec 19, 2024 News Release
- Celebration of 2024 Science Communication Award Recipients Dec 18, 2024 Feature Story
- Utilizing Art to Reimagine Conversations on Climate Dec 10, 2024 Program News
- Celebrating Native American Heritage Month with Cynthia-Lou Coleman Nov 25, 2024 Feature Story
- U.S. Winners of 2024 Nobel Prizes Honored at Symposium Co-Hosted by the National Academy of Sciences Nov 20, 2024 Feature Story
- National Academies’ Presidents to Serve on U.S. S&T Task Force Oct 31, 2024 Feature Story
- National Academies Announce 2024 Recipients of Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications Oct 24, 2024 News Release
- To Mark Earth Science Week, National Academies Host Events Related to Cross-Cutting Issues in the Field Oct 14, 2024 Program News
- From Cancer Research to Science Writing: Kristel Tjandra’s Science Communication Journey Jul 29, 2024 Feature Story
- In State of the Science Address, NAS President Urges Improvements to K-12 Science Education in Order to Strengthen the U.S. STEM Workforce Jun 27, 2024 Feature Story
- Celebrating Pride with Andrea Bandelli Jun 25, 2024 Feature Story
- Fostering Future Leaders — and a More Inclusive Vision — For Science Jun 3, 2024 Feature Story
- Inaugural State of the Science Address Will Examine the Strength of the U.S. Research Enterprise to Better Meet National Priorities, Maintain Global Leadership May 16, 2024 News Release
- Communicating the Effects of Climate Change with Britt Wray May 7, 2024 Feature Story
- Young Researchers from Around the World to Gather at Historic NAS Building This Week May 6, 2024 Feature Story
- The Human Implications of AI with Brian Christian Apr 1, 2024 Feature Story
- Submission Period for the 2024 Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications Now Open Mar 1, 2024 News Release
- National Academies Announce 2023 Recipients of Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications Nov 2, 2023 News Release
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Name Peter Zandan as Special Adviser for Data and Audience Impact Sep 7, 2023 News Release
- Insights From Summit Leaders 2023 Jun 22, 2023 Feature Story
- Nobel Prize Summit Fuels Initiatives to Combat Misinformation and Disinformation and Build Trust in Science Jun 22, 2023 Feature Story
- Submissions for the 2023 Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications Are Now Open Apr 4, 2023 News Release
- Registration Now Open — May 24-26 Nobel Prize Summit on Misinformation and Trust in Science Mar 20, 2023 Media Advisory
- National Academies Announce Inaugural Recipients of Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications Oct 12, 2022 News Release
- New Awards in Science Communication Totaling $600,000 Annually Launched by Schmidt Futures and the National Academies Feb 23, 2022 News Release
- Safe Passage for Scientists: Evacuating Scientists and Engineers from Afghanistan Jan 26, 2022 Feature Story
- U.S. Nobel Prize Laureates Receive Medals at NAS Ceremonies Dec 9, 2021 Feature Story
- Lessons from COVID-19 on Executing Communications and Engagement at the Community Level During a Health Crisis Dec 7, 2021 Perspectives
- Ceremonial Presentations of Nobel Prizes to be Held at U.S. National Academy of Sciences Locations in Washington and Irvine – Dec. 6 and 8 Nov 30, 2021 Media Advisory
- COP26 Presents Historic Opportunity for a More Sustainable Future, Say Presidents of U.S. National Academies Oct 29, 2021 Statement
- Planning Committee Named for the Third International Summit on Human Genome Editing Oct 21, 2021 News Release
- Decoding Science: Repeat After Me May 12, 2021 Feature Story
- What is the best way to find out "what the science says"? Apr 16, 2021 Based on Science
- What if scientific studies disagree? Apr 16, 2021 Based on Science
- Can science help people make decisions? Apr 16, 2021 Based on Science
- Co-Chairs Appointed to Lead New National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable Oct 15, 2020 News Release
- NAS and NAM Presidents Alarmed By Political Interference in Science Amid Pandemic Sep 24, 2020 Statement
- Anthony Fauci Receives Lienhard Award From National Academy of Medicine for Decades of Work Improving Public Health and Leadership in Shaping COVID-19 Pandemic Response Sep 15, 2020 News Release
- Enlisting Science and Technology in the Fight Against COVID-19 — and the Ongoing Struggle for Sustainable Development May 20, 2020 Feature Story
- New Fronts in the War on Misinformation Mar 2, 2020 Feature Story
- Charting the Next 75 Years of Science Feb 28, 2020 Feature Story
- Leading Voices Discuss the Future of U.S. Science Policy at Feb. 26 Symposium; Event Marks 75th Anniversary of Vannevar Bush's 1945 Report Science: The Endless Frontier Feb 5, 2020 News Release
