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.
17:12
The Uncertain Science Behind What We Understand As ‘Truth’
In a new book mathematician Adam Kucharski traces our relationship to truth from the ancient Greeks to our AI reality.
What The Sigma Is Algospeak?
You might think sticking out your gyatt for the rizzler is chopped, but “Algospeak” author Adam Aleksic says we should let Gen Alpha cook.
17:30
Climate Change Is Upending The Home Insurance Market
Across the country, premiums are rising and insurers are pulling out of markets that are most at risk for climate change-fueled disasters.
12:29
How Millions Of Flies Can Help Stop The New World Screwworm
The New World Screwworm is creeping north, threatening cattle in Mexico and the US. Fighting flies with flies has worked before.
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?
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?
16:38
The Goo In Your Home Could Help Science Address Climate Change
Microbes—from deep in the ocean to inside your AC—might play a key role in our fight against climate change.
17:00
Understanding Sunscreen Ingredients And Which Ones You Need
Picking a sunscreen can be overwhelming. We’ll break down what to look for, and what ingredients matter.
17:00
You Can Whistle While You Work—But How Does A Whistle Work?
Whistling requires attention to your mouth, muscles, and breath. Here’s how it works, and how to get better at it.
12:14
Bedbugs Have Been Bugging Us Since Before Beds
New research follows a distinct lineage of bedbugs that lived alongside humans for thousands of years, suggesting they might be the first human pest.