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.
10:01
What Happens When The Colorado River Runs Dry?
The water system supplies water to 40 million people. What happens if it dries up?
7:15
Making Syrup From More Than Maple Trees
To make forests and farmers more resilient, researchers and hobbyists are branching beyond maple syrup.
9:16
In West Virginia, Opioid Distributors Are Finally On Trial
The county with the worst drug overdose rate in the country is attempting to prosecute the massive companies that fueled its crisis.
17:08
How Do You Solve a Problem Like World Vaccination?
If you thought vaccinating the whole U.S. was hard, the challenges only grow on a worldwide scale.
12:12
How Novel Is Neuralink?
Experts explain how Elon Musk’s Neuralink fits into the wider field of neurotechnology research.
23:40
Is COVID-19 Herd Immunity Even Possible Anymore?
Between variants and vaccine hesitancy, the U.S. may be a long way from vaccinating our way out of the pandemic.
17:24
Ask An Expert: What The Heck Are Microplastics?
We create them, we eat them, we breathe them in. But what effect do microplastics have on our bodies and our planet?
17:22
The Future Of Plastics
How we make—and dispose of—plastics is one of our biggest environmental challenges. Here are some potential solutions.
16:21
What Does It Mean To Be Alive?
Science writer Carl Zimmer explores the complicated search for a definition of life.
12:06
Understanding St. Vincent’s Volcanic Eruption
The Caribbean volcano has a long legacy of impact on the island. A volcanologist puts that in context with its most recent eruption.