| Rachel McTiernan Tompa, PhD | |
| Science communications expert with a background in molecular biology and biomedical research. Covered topics such as infectious disease, engineering, marine biology, quantum physics, conservation, biochemistry, psychology, and earth sciences. | |
| Writing experience | Technical Editor, Fredh Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 2/09 - present Editing technical documents, including journal articles, grant proposals, letters and reviews. Writing monthly newsletter, VIDI Vitals, and news stories for FHCRC Center News. |
| Freelance science writer, 2006 - present Have written for Xconomy, The Scientist, Conservation Magazine, Mongabay.com, The Loh Down on Science, Biomedical Computation Review, Santa Cruz Sentinel, Monterey Herald, UCSF Synapse and news offices of UC San Francisco and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center | |
| Public Information Specialist (temporary), University of Washington News and Information, 9/08-12/08 Covered College of Engineering. Reported and wrote press releases, coordinated and edited internal and external newsletters, maintained part of website, media relations | |
| Science writing intern, University of California, Berkeley media relations, 6/08 - present Reporting and writing science press releases and news features | |
| Intern (1/08-3/08) and Stringer (3/08-6/08), Monterey Herald, 1/08 - present Reported and wrote 1-2 stories/week for Monterey County newspaper (circulation of 30,000) | |
| Science writing intern, Stanford news office, 9/07-12/07 Reported and wrote nine stories for Stanford Report (circulation 14,000), six of which were distributed as press releases | |
| Contributing writer, UCSF Today, 11/06 - 10/07 Reported and wrote six science stories for UCSF Today, one of which was distributed as a press release | |
| Contributing writer, UCSF Synapse, 10/06 - 12/06 Wrote three science stories for UCSF's student newspaper | |
| Education | Science Communcations Program, University of California, Santa Cruz - 6/08 2008 Merck Science Journalism Student Award Awarded Graduate Division scolarship Courses in reporting, science news, features, investigative journalism, essays, profiles, multimedia and web writing |
| Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, University of California, San Francisco - 6/07 NSF Graduate Research Fellow (2004-2007) NIH Predoctoral Training Grant (2002-2004) Taught first year graduate student course in molecular biology | |
| B.A. in Biological Sciences, University of Chicago, 6/00 Graduated with departmental and general honors Dean's List, 1996-2000 | |
| Professional memberships | National Association of Science Writers, 9/07 - present Northwest Science Writers’ Association, 6/08 - present Northern California Science Writers Association, 12/06 - present Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society – 2000 |
| Skills | Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe programs, Speedwriter, Audacity, Final Cut Express, Soundslides Experienced with digital photography, video and audio recording and editing Fluent in Italian and French |
| Click here for a Word format copy of the resume that includes references. | |