Flora has produced science media for 20 years across many formats. She got her start right here at Science Friday, working her way up from intern to fill-in host, and resident videographer. From there, she worked as a video producer for The New York Times, co-creating an Emmy-nominated film series that dramatized scientific discoveries using… paper puppets. She also was nominated for an Emmy for her writing on Bill Nye’s Netflix show “Bill Nye Saves the World.” She has created and launched a number of podcasts in various roles, including hosting Gimlet’s beloved “Every Little Thing,” which connected listeners to experts who could answer their burning questions. The show ran for five years and published over 200 episodes. In her previous role as Hypothesis Fund Managing Editor, she told the stories of world-class scientists pursuing bold new ideas in a new storytelling initiative, The Leap.
Making science accessible, relatable, and human has been a focus of Flora’s career. Some of her inspiration comes from her own experience in science: Long, long ago, she worked at a NATO oceanographic lab in Italy. For the lab’s research expeditions, she lived on a ship where apertivi were served on the top deck, hoisted there via pulley by the ship’s chef.
You can find her @flichtman on social media platforms.
And Then The Sub Went Silent
Oceanographer Victoria Orphan’s dream was coming true—she was onboard the Alvin submersible. But the trip was anything but smooth sailing.
How These Spiders At The Bottom Of The Sea Run On Methane
With the help of methane-munching-microbes, these translucent sea spiders gobble up a potent greenhouse gas to stay alive.
17:01
Why Don’t We Have A Vaccine For Lyme Disease?
Tick seasons are getting worse, raising concerns about the risk of Lyme disease. Dogs can get vaccinated for it. Why can’t humans?
12:12
How PFAS From A Military Base Has Sickened Nearby Residents
Newburgh, New York, is one of 10 communities involved in a CDC-led study to understand the effects of PFAS—forever chemicals—on health.
5:30
Mammoths Stampede Into Sports… As Mascots!
A hockey team and a baseball team are adopting the mammoth as their mascot. A paleontologist shares why these wooly wonders bring the spirit.
As Disasters Escalate, What’s The Future Of FEMA?
The president has said he wants to leave disaster response to the states. Plus, how much can climate change be blamed for extreme flooding?
Everything Else Is Boring
Karmella Haynes doesn’t need to fit in—in life or in work. So when a research space didn’t exist for her, she created it.
In ‘Jurassic World Rebirth,’ Paleontology Is Still The Star
We talked to the movie’s paleontology consultant about the new ways he wanted to bring these magnificent dinosaurs to life.
Mars? It Was A Miracle We Got To Florida
Geologist Steve Squyres risked his career and millions of dollars to get the Spirit and Opportunity rovers on Mars.
After Her Grants Got Cut, This Researcher Is Suing The NIH
Katie Edwards has lost millions of dollars in grant money, bringing her research to a standstill. She’s taking the fight to court.