This year, the San Diego Science Writers Association welcomes four new members to its board. As a volunteer-run organization, our board members play critical roles in helping to connect the San Diego region’s diverse group of science communicators.
Here, our newest members share a bit about themselves, including what they’re most looking forward to this year and how they got their start in science writing.
Kelly Quigley, MA
Board Role: President
Job Title: Director of Science Communications & Media Relations, Gladstone Institutes
As a new SANDSWA board member, what are you looking forward to most in the year ahead?
I’m most excited about the opportunity for all of us to connect in person and forge new friendships. As science writers and communicators, we benefit so much from having a network of people nearby to turn to for advice or to share resources—especially during times of change or uncertainty.
How did you break into science writing?
When I moved to San Diego, I took a job as a biotech reporter at the weekly business paper. I’d been a journalist in Chicago before that, but never explicitly covered life sciences. As soon as I delved into my new beat, I knew I wanted to continue writing about science—even after I decided to leave journalism for other communications roles. Since that time, I also earned my master’s in science writing from Johns Hopkins and I’ve learned about various aspects of the field while working with biotech companies and scientific institutes.
What’s your best writing tip?
Be accountable to your audience. It’s easy to feel intimidated by the scientists we interview, but that can’t stand in the way of asking the right questions or clarifying ideas that might be confusing. My goal is always to help the audience feel the excitement of the discovery or really understand on a personal level the impact of the science, and I think that scientists ultimately appreciate that.
What do you wish people knew about science writing?
Science writing sounds like a narrow niche to the uninitiated, but it’s a broad field that spans print journalism, video, public health, corporate communications, social media, and so much more. Whether we’re working at a newspaper or museum or scientific institute, science writers play a critical role in sharing important information with the public and making people care about science.
What do you like to do for fun?
I take full advantage of living near the water and spend time at the ocean nearly every day. I love that I live in a densely populated neighborhood, yet I can walk out my door and within minutes see stingrays, egrets, and dolphins.
What are you reading or listening to right now?
One of my closest friends recently gifted me a great book on plant biology that I’m just now digging into. It’s called “Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth,” by Zoë Schlanger. I’m not done with it yet, but I’m definitely enjoying the first few chapters!
Greg Calhoun, MA
Board Role: Membership Coordinator
Job Title: Science writer, Sanford Burnham Prebys
As a new SANDSWA board member, what are you looking forward to most in the year ahead?
I’m looking forward to getting to know more members and learning more about the organizations and teams telling science stories in the region.
How did you break into science writing?
I started by pitching science stories for every issue of MCW Magazine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. After I became more known for my interests, I pitched a new science communication strategy to department leadership.
What’s your best writing tip?
You have to earn people’s attention, especially in the era of smartphones and infinite scrolling. Hook the reader as quickly and creatively as you can while making the story relevant.
What do you wish people knew about science writing?
I don’t think scientists get the recognition and credit they deserve outside of their professional communities. If they did, it also would elevate the role of science writers.
What do you like to do for fun?
Indoor rock climbing (shout out to the Oceanside Vital bouldering gym), playing guitar, and traveling.
What are you reading or listening to right now?
“Life’s Edge: The Search for What It Means to Be Alive,” by Carl Zimmer.
Anna McTigue, MS
Board Role: Social Media Manager
Job Title: Science Writing Intern at Mass General Brigham and Research Technician at UC San Diego
As a new SANDSWA board member, what are you looking forward to most in the year ahead?
As an early career science writer, I’m excited to fully integrate into the science writing field and community this year!
How did you break into science writing?
It’s still happening for me right now. After studying neuroscience in graduate school, I started writing blogs about biology, doing science outreach, and even launched a podcast to get my feet wet with science communication! This led to an internship in science writing, where I’m excited to work with the communications team at Mass General Brigham.
What’s your best writing tip?
Give yourself enough time to step away from a piece and come back to it with fresh eyes. Whether that’s a few hours or days later, it’s amazing how much it helps you catch things you may have missed and be an effective editor of your own work.
What do you wish people knew about science writing?
Science writing can take so many different formats and styles! From news articles and podcast episodes to science graphics, it is a broad field. I think it’s amazing the sheer number of ways science can be articulated and shared with the world.
What do you like to do for fun?
I love being outside, especially climbing and backpacking! I also love any sort of creative hobby that lets me use my hands, like ceramics, woodworking, and watercolors.
What are you reading or listening to right now?
I’ve recently enjoyed listening to Gastropod, which is a podcast that looks at the science and history of food! A recent episode talked about why we have so much food waste and what we might be able to do about it. I also just finished reading “King of Scars,” a fun fantasy novel by Leigh Bardugo.
Swetha Kasetty Ramakrishnan, PhD
Board role: Newsletter Editor
Job Title: Science Writer, JM Biologics
As a new SANDSWA board member, what are you looking forward to most in the year ahead?
Meeting writers and learning about their journeys.
How did you break into science writing?
I am still trying to break into it. I realized I really enjoyed learning about new things and also making it accessible to people, that’s why I chose science writing.
What’s your best writing tip?
Put your thoughts and ideas on the paper first, the article will follow.
What do you wish people knew about science writing?
It’s a lot of fun and very intellectually stimulating.
What do you like to do for fun?
I enjoy cooking and hosting, I like to explore and travel, and I enjoy cuddling with my cats and dog.
What are you reading or listening to right now?
Currently, I’m reading Ina May’s guide to childbirth, trying to figure out how babies work.
Also, welcome back to our returning board members, some of whom have taken on new roles: Madeline McCurry Schmidt (vice-president), Deborah Bright, PhD (treasurer), Niko Komin, PhD (secretary), Susanne “Clara” Bard (website editor), Cypress Hansen, MS (member at large), and Mike Miller, MPH (member at large).
Are you interested in serving on the board in 2026? Contact us at sandswa.info@gmail.com.
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