Flora has produced science media for 20 years across many formats. She got her start right here at Science Friday, working her way up from intern to fill-in host, and resident videographer. From there, she worked as a video producer for The New York Times, co-creating an Emmy-nominated film series that dramatized scientific discoveries using… paper puppets. She also was nominated for an Emmy for her writing on Bill Nye’s Netflix show “Bill Nye Saves the World.” She has created and launched a number of podcasts in various roles, including hosting Gimlet’s beloved “Every Little Thing,” which connected listeners to experts who could answer their burning questions. The show ran for five years and published over 200 episodes.
Making science accessible, relatable, and human has been a focus of Flora’s career. Some of her inspiration comes from her own experience in science: Long, long ago, she worked at a NATO oceanographic lab in Italy. For the lab’s research expeditions, she lived on a ship where apertivi were served on the top deck, hoisted there via pulley by the ship’s chef.
You can find her @flichtman on social media platforms.
11:53
Another Strain Of Bird Flu Discovered In California
The outbreak of H5N9 avian influenza occurred at a California duck farm in November 2024.
12:00
Understanding Bipolar Disorder Through The Genome
New research pinpoints 298 parts of the genome associated with higher risk of bipolar disorder. This could lead to better treatments.
17:15
What’s Next For Quantum Computing In 2025?
On the heels of some big quantum computing advances in 2024, at least one company is telling businesses to get “quantum ready” this year.
14:49
Scientists Create Glowing ‘RNA Lanterns’ With Bioluminescence
Researchers tagged mouse RNA with the enzyme that makes fireflies glow, in hopes of better understanding how viruses and memories work.
17:22
The Toxic Aftermath Of An Urban Fire
When a fire burns in an urban area, it unleashes a slurry of chemicals. Scientists are trying to understand the chemistry at play.
11:45
Trump Administration Cancels Meetings, Freezes Hiring At NIH
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health say the move has sent fear and confusion throughout the agency.
17:04
Can Paxlovid Relieve Long COVID Symptoms? For Some, Yes
Research on long COVID patients who took an extended course of Paxlovid shows mixed results.
15:39
The Factors That Make Bird Sounds So Diverse Across The World
An analysis of 140,000 vocalizations from 77% of bird species showed that beak size and geography play a big role in the way birds sound.
11:47
What Exactly Is A Meme Coin And How Does It Work?
President Trump and the first lady issued their own meme coins, the value of which inflated and then dropped. What’s the technology behind them?
17:27
AI Is Coming Up With Brand New Molecules, Fueling Drug Discovery
AI models are able to design molecules that don’t even exist in nature. Some have proven effective as snake antivenom.