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.
11:05
What Newly Approved Herbicides Could Mean For Federal Land
This summer, the Bureau of Land Management approved seven herbicides to fight invasive plants in the West.
12:15
Earth May Once Have Had A Ring Like Saturn
The ring would have gradually fallen to Earth as meteorites, correlating to a spike of impacts seen in the geological record.
11:33
SpaceX Crew Completes First Citizen Spacewalk
Two citizen astronauts on SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission left their capsule and returned safely.
16:56
What Research Shows About Smartphone Bans In Schools
Researchers, educators, and parents discuss smartphones in school. Plus, why research on how social media affects teens defies easy answers.
12:05
The First Successful Whole-Eye Transplant, Over A Year Later
While Aaron James can’t see out of his new eye, it remains viable after more than a year. His surgeons say it’s a massive success.
17:02
Q&A: Updated COVID-19 Vaccines For Fall 2024
Immunologist Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire answers audience questions about when to get the latest COVID shot, rapid test efficacy, and more.
5:36
Different Bird Species May Team Up For Migration
Research indicates songbird species might intentionally travel together during migration, giving each other a possible boost in survival.
6:52
Fishing For—And Saving—Sharks off the Jersey Shore
Shark fishing is alive and well, but the fishermen who do it are increasingly prioritizing conservation.
10:16
Scientists Identify The ‘ManhattAnt’ Spreading Across NYC
An unknown ant was spotted in Manhattan in 2011, and it quickly spread through New York City. We now know what it is.
12:12
Training Dogs To Stop The Spread Of Spotted Lanternflies
The invasive insects often lay eggs on vehicles and shipped goods. Now researchers are training dogs to sniff them out before they hatch.