Rasha Aridi
Producer
Rasha Aridi is a producer for Science Friday. She loves stories about weird critters, science adventures, and the intersection of science and history.
While studying wildlife conservation at Virginia Tech, Rasha realized that she had way more fun talking about science than actually doing it. She then pivoted into journalism and has since written for outlets like Science, Smithsonian, and The Guardian. Before coming to SciFri, she worked for NPR’s Short Wave and Science Vs from Gimlet Media.
When Rasha isn’t nerding out about science, you can find her on an outdoorsy adventure, reading, or trying (and failing) to leash train her cat. Rasha is the inaugural Outrider/Burroughs Wellcome Fund Fellow.
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Why a paper about relocating coastal communities hit a nerve
In a recent analysis, scientists argued that New Orleans should relocate. But planning for a city’s future is about much more than geography.
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Beautiful botflies, luscious leeches, and the wonder of parasites
Sure, botflies are gross, but they also know just how to hitch a ride on a camel sneeze. An entomologist celebrates the wonder of parasites.
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Amid shifting politics, can we build stable global health systems?
Virologist, policymaker, diplomat: Dr. John Nkengasong discusses the current Ebola outbreak, and how public health is inherently political.
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Squirrel poop drops Ice Age clues + The neuroscience of laughter
Ancient squirrel poop provides a snapshot of life during the last ice age. And, how different types of laughter originate in the brain.
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Swords, cannibalism, poison: inside the world of killer microbes
Some microbe species have evolved to stab, bomb, cannibalize, or poison each other. Can we harness their weapons for good?
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AI + turfgrass science in the most high-tech World Cup yet
The 2026 World Cup will be infused with AI. How will it change the beautiful game? Plus, what it takes to get perfect grass into 16 stadiums.
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How did Neanderthals deal with illness and injuries?
Up to 94% of Neanderthals suffered at least one traumatic injury in their lifetime. How did their healthcare keep up?
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Meet the drug developer taking on wildlife diseases
Chemist Tim Cernak has a wild to-do list: Cure sea turtle cancer. Save frogs from fungal diseases. Take on avian flu.
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Inside the Nebraska quarantine facility responding to hantavirus
The National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska is housing 18 people exposed to hantavirus, and preparing for possible cases of Ebola exposure.
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New York poised to roll back progressive climate mandates
Mandates issued in 2019 required New York to cut emissions by 40% by 2030. Governor Hochul is moving to soften the goals, citing rising costs.