Hi! I’m Katelyn, a PhD candidate in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Miami. Ever since I was a child, I’ve loved solving puzzles. Whether I’m doing crossword puzzles, breaking out of escape rooms, or reading mystery novels, I always love the feeling of successfully piecing together clues to find the solution to a problem; that’s what initially attracted me to biology! Collecting data to unravel the mysteries of the human body sounded like the perfect way to satisfy my penchant for problem solving.
Once I began my career as a researcher, I quickly discovered my passion for a different type of puzzle: science writing. While many of my colleagues complained about the daunting task of figuring out how to shape complex data into a coherent and compelling story for publications, conference abstracts, or presentations, I was shocked to discover that I actually found it fun. One of my favorite activities in graduate school was teaching an undergraduate microbiology class because I enjoyed the challenge of thinking up creative ways to explain complex concepts clearly.
Throughout my PhD, I’ve dedicated my time in the lab to gaining the expertise that’s needed to clearly and accurately explain science to others. My goal in pursuing a medical writing career is to use the knowledge and skills I’ve acquired as a scientist to write pieces that will promote scientific literacy and help make science exciting and accessible for any audience.
Katelyn Rivas 