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.
12:05
Thermal Imaging Technology Helps Firefighters See Through Smoke
Infrared waves help firefighters know where to focus their efforts—and help keep them safe.
16:33
A History of So-Called ‘Cures’ For Deafness
From special diets to airplane dives, a deaf historian chronicles past treatments for hearing.
12:13
Against Impossible Odds, The Warsaw Ghetto Stopped A Typhus Outbreak
Researchers find public health measures likely stopped a second wave of disease under impossible circumstances.
16:37
A Cellular Race Through A Maze
Cells can solve mazes. What does this mean for cancer research?
16:33
A New Hope For Corals
After years of bad news for the aquatic icons, some good news out of Florida.
17:27
Bringing Up A Baby—During A Pandemic
For parents of new babies, the pandemic creates new hurdles.
16:27
Fossil Records Show Hell Ants Had “Mad Max” Style Mandibles
In this installment of Charismatic Creature corner, we look at an ancient that might have used its horn to pin down prey.
11:40
NYC Health Commissioner Steps Down After Butting Heads With Mayor
Plus more science news for the week, including the chemical linked to Beirut’s explosions.
17:00
This Peruvian Boiling River Holds More Than Meets The Eye
Scientists search for tiny but mighty bacteria with medical value.
16:36
Squid Gene-Editing Shows New Possibilities For Treating Genetic Diseases
A genetic breakthrough in squid research opens a new world for scientists.