A series of incidents propels Joe Palca to a career in sleep research.
Joe Palca is a science correspondent for NPR. He comes to journalism from a science background, having received a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of California at Santa Cruz where he worked on human sleep physiology. Since joining NPR in 1992, Dr. Palca has covered a range of science topics — everything from biomedical research to astronomy. He is currently focused on the eponymous series, “Joe’s Big Idea.” Stories in the series explore the minds and motivations of scientists and inventors. Palca has also worked as a television science producer, a senior correspondent for Science Magazine, and Washington news editor of Nature. Palca has won numerous awards, several of which came with attractive certificates. With Flora Lichtman, Palca is the co-author of Annoying: The Science of What Bugs Us (Wiley, 2011).
Science journalist Erik Vance decides to get cursed by a witch doctor for science.
While covering the devastating impact of an earthquake in Thailand, journalist Maryn McKenna reflects on tragedy in her own life.
Journalist Sarah Kaplan normally covers the science beat, but when tragedy strikes in Las Vegas, she takes on an assignment unlike any she's had before.
A trip to the Kennedy Space Center reminds Wade Roush of what originally inspired him to pursue science journalism.
Science writer Veronika Meduna thought she never wanted to have children, but in her late thirties, she changes her mind.
Science writer Cassandra WIllyard is frustrated by the restrictions put on her during her pregnancy.
Journalist Arielle Duhaime-Ross finds common ground with an Alaskan community struggling with the effects of climate change.
Science journalist Peter Brannen mourns the loss of his mother while studying the earth’s biggest mass extinction.
As a graduate student, Josh Silberg begins to question whether he's cut out for science.
Science journalist Judith Stone worries about causing conflict when she writes about cultural differences aboard the International Space Station.