OLIVIA
KONEN
Science Writer
About Me
I am a science writer who covers a wide range of topics. With my background in cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, and bioinformatics, I revel in transitioning from wielding a pipette to wielding a pen. In my years of academia, I explored a variety of questions:
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Do probiotics significantly change the gut microbiome of domestic horses?
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Can we use bacteriophages (viruses that attack bacteria) instead of antibiotics for successful cell culture?
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Can interrupting a certain molecular complex's interaction promote the death of colon cancer cells?
Now, I focus on other scientists' and researchers' questions. There is so much happening in clinics and laboratories worldwide, and I endeavor to share cutting-edge and obscure discoveries, hypotheses, and investigations with everyone in an accessible and creative way.
Work Experience
2024 - Present
Medical Editor/Scientific Writer at LifeBridge Health, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Maryland.
2024 (remote internship)
Editorial Intern at E - The Environmental Magazine. My responsibilities included gathering sources, writing, and editing 500-word answers to reader-submitted questions to the EarthTalk Q&A column currently syndicated to 800+ media outlets in North America with a reach of >30 million readers.
2022 - 2024
Research and Development Scientist at BD Diagnostics. In addition to lab work, I completed a stretch assignment within the IDS Global Communications team to write for the internal news site and social media channels.
Education
2023 - 2025
Master of Arts in Science Writing, Johns Hopkins University
During my time at JHU thus far, I have written about post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, endometriosis, a profile of a scientist working on hemophilia and cancer treatments, and the invasive spotted lanternfly.
2016 - 2021
Bachelor of Science in Biology - Concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology; Minor in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Bioinformatics, Towson University
At TU, I developed the ability to design experiments to test hypotheses and then condense and present that information via poster, PowerPoint, and oral presentations to peers and the general public.