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Growing up Sarah had two subjects that she enjoyed—writing and biology, and while everyone was sure she would become a writer, Sarah had several mentors along the way that nurtured her love for science and discovery. And now, Sarah works in the best of both worlds, in science communications. Shekerah and Fatu continue their conversation with Dr. Sarah Ellinwood, Managing Editor at BioBuzz and Workforce Genetics on how she got to where she is now. As an undergrad at Roanoke College, Sarah was initially in pharmacy and in her sophomore year things took a turn when she was exposed to hands-on bench research. Working with a professor, she contributed to research exploring environmental impacts on fish populations. Later on, she participated in a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Through this program, she worked in a protein biology lab at the University of Michigan; this ultimately became the deciding factor to convince her to go to graduate school. Early on in her grad program at the University of Maryland, Sarah was certain that she did not want to stay in academia, but she did not know of any alternative career paths other than industry. By chance, after returning to her alma mater for an alumni event with current students, Sarah was introduced to the field of science communications. After completing her doctorate, she found interesting roles as a medical writer and communications consultant for biotech companies, before joining BioBuzz and Workforce Genetics. It was a winding, bouncy road through the trenches, but she made it! Click the link to hear more about Sarah’s journey including what advice she would give her younger self and why she encourages bringing your authentic self to work every day. 

Reach out to Sarah:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-ahlbrand/ 

@SarahE_PhD (Twitter) 

​​[email protected] 


Recent article from Sarah:

How Science and the Arts are Intermixing in the BioHealth Capital Region


American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - Art of Science Communication 

https://www.asbmb.org/career-resources/communication-course 


Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Twitter: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]

Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and [email protected]


Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic