Social media, with its likes, shares, and tales, has advanced into a robust platform for each non-scientists and researchers to share their work. At The Scientist, engagement specialist Melissa Kay has a finger on the heart beat of developments to curate social media posts throughout numerous platforms to showcase new analysis. Her engagement efforts pique the curiosity of The Scientist’s viewers and hold them updated on the newest in life sciences.
Whereas I’m all the time looking out for brand spanking new developments and chasing the algorithm to remain present, I benefit from the collaboration that goes into creating posts.
—Melissa Kay, The Scientist
Q | What’s your scientific background?
As a real crime lover, I did my undergraduate research in forensic science at Laurentian College. It was cool to do blood spatter labs and DNA evaluation, however I didn’t need a profession in forensics. As a substitute, I stayed at Laurentian College to pursue a grasp’s diploma in mobile and molecular biology. My undertaking, co-advised by biochemist Amadeo Parissenti and molecular biologist Tom Kovala, concerned transcription elements and their position in ribosomal RNA degradation in most cancers cells. In the end, I noticed I didn’t get pleasure from doing the analysis as a lot as studying all about it.
Q | How did you transition into science communication?
After commencement, I used to be deciding between a grasp’s diploma and a science communication program at my college which piqued my curiosity. I pursued my grasp’s diploma first and, funnily sufficient, I collaborated with the science communication cohort, whom I later joined for a graduate diploma. They taught me the way to current my analysis to an viewers. Following that, I interned with the Canada Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Dysfunction (FASD) Analysis Community, the place I developed instructional supplies for academics on supporting college students with FASD. My journey then led me to a job because the social media coordinator for Drug Discovery Information and later for The Scientist, the place I may keep updated on life sciences analysis and get to inform individuals about it.
Throughout her undergraduate research, Melissa analyzed numerous bloodstain patterns created by blood flung from completely different objects.
Melissa Kay
Q | How do you strategy crafting posts for every platform?
Every platform requires a unique strategy. I discover that on X (previously Twitter) and LinkedIn, there’s extra of an viewers of researchers fascinated by sharing their work. On X, one needs to be snappier, and my science background helps me craft concise posts that keep throughout the character restrict whereas nonetheless making the science clear and accessible. In distinction, LinkedIn has a e-newsletter perform arrange like an interactive article to share a recap of the week’s high tales. For Fb, I tone down the jargon and intention for a broader viewers. I typically begin discussions by asking a query after which linking to our tales that present the solutions, similar to why mosquitoes chew individuals greater than others. It’s thrilling to see so many individuals have interaction and reply. Instagram tales, the place I really feel I’ve extra inventive liberty, are fairly enjoyable with their ballot options.
Q | What’s your favourite a part of being an engagement specialist?
Whereas I’m all the time looking out for brand spanking new developments and chasing the algorithm to remain present, I benefit from the collaboration that goes into creating posts. As an illustration, working with the design workforce to rework TS Digest articles into mockup posts with eye-catching visuals is particularly rewarding. I additionally get pleasure from excited about completely different codecs like utilizing a carousel publish for readers to search out out the distinction between two flow-based strategies. It’s been a enjoyable and attention-grabbing course of attending to work with so many alternative individuals throughout groups in numerous capacities to greatest promote and share The Scientist articles.
Within the wintertime, Melissa gears up for a recreation on the ice. She used to play for the Laurentian College Ringette Membership, and now she is a part of an grownup ringette workforce.
Bonnie Edwards
Q | What do you love to do outdoors of labor?
I began dragon boating in 2023, and it is develop into my summer season sport. We race every month through the summer season, and because the climate cools, we hold paddling till it is time to transfer indoors for the season. Within the winter, I swap to taking part in ringette, a Canadian sport I’ve liked since I used to be 4. My dad initially deliberate to place me in hockey, however a neighbor prompt ringette, a sport that started within the Sixties. It’s much like hockey however makes use of a bladeless straight stick and a blue ring as a substitute of a puck. It’s largely performed by women, and I continued taking part in via college and am now in an grownup league. I even had the prospect to compete in a ringette event in Finland!
