Kathleen Davis is a producer and fill-in host at Science Friday, which means she spends her weeks researching, writing, editing, and sometimes talking into a microphone. She heads the show’s State of Science project, bringing local science stories to a national audience.
Before joining the Science Friday team in 2020, Kathleen reported on tech and breaking news at WESA, Pittsburgh’s NPR station. One time, her coworkers made her a dinosaur themed birthday cake, complete with a Rice Krispy meteor.
Kathleen is originally from the great state of Michigan, and is always eager to talk about freshwater lakes and Coney Island diners. She can often be found taking long walks to run errands that would be done much faster by other modes of transportation.
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8:49
Across The Country, RSV Is Overwhelming Medical Systems
Though they face different challenges, doctors from the Midwest to the mid-Atlantic are wrestling with skyrocketing cases and overflowing medical centers.
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12:05
Don’t Trust What You See On TikTok This Election Season
Research found the social media platform allowed 90% of misleading political ads to run—even though they contradicted TikTok’s own policies.
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11:54
How To Digitally Recreate Darth Vader’s Voice From A War Zone
A Ukrainian AI company was hired to mimic the Star Wars’ villain’s voice for the franchise’s next films. Then Russia invaded.
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5:14
Toxic Death Cap Mushrooms Take Root In The Mountain West
A highly poisonous, hard-to-eradicate species of mushroom has found its way from Europe to California and Idaho.
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17:08
When Studying Ecology Means Celebrating Its Gifts
Bestselling author Robin Wall Kimmerer discusses the role of ceremony in our lives, and how to celebrate reciprocal relationships with the natural world.
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7:41
The Mysterious Case Of Alaska’s Crabs
King and Snow crabs are huge economic drivers for Alaskan fishermen. As populations dwindle, two of the state’s crab seasons are canceled.
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7:43
A Possible Achilles Heel For Troublesome PFAS Chemicals
New research points to a promising way to break down PFAS, the “forever chemicals” that make up nonstick pans and waterproof coatings.
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12:11
Scientists Are Trying To Study Human Neurons… In Rat Brains?
Human neurons implanted in rat brains could offer scientists a new way to study the brain. Plus, more stories from this week in science.
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16:21
A Taste Of New York In A Hyper-Local Beer
Instead of hops, brewers traditionally crafted gruit-style beer from local herbs and spices, making each unique.
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12:19
Making A Meal Fit For An Astronaut
NASA’s team of food scientists must make food nutritious, delicious (or at least edible), and fit for spaceflight.