Ellen Kuwana, MS (#SciComm)
@ellenkuwana
Science & medical writer/editor (>400 manuscripts, $89B grant awards/contracts). Public speaker. Writing coach. Expert on APA, plain language. Interests: editing, AI ethics, chocolate. If I've helped you, thank me here,
A rare out-of-office outing for me: editing at Halcyon (brewery at night, coffee shop by day) and Seattle School of Rock on patio! #SciComm #AmEditing #Freelancer #Seattle
I took a break from editing work to take Clover to the groomer. She is vocal about not wanting to be left behind when I parked the car. #Dogs #StetPet #AmEditing #SciComm
Agree. I delivered food to thousands of healthcare workers during 2020 in Seattle and saw and heard way more than the average non-medical professional during COVID.
Excited to hear Roberta Kwok talk about her #LostInCuriosity book tonight in #Seattle. #Nonfiction #SummerReading #SciComm
Listening to a webinar on how to restore trust in science. Themes (my wording): Train people as systems thinkers (comment by Julian Reyes) and how to connect to real world/real people, and how to communicate science and uncertainty--but also how we know things! #Science #Trust @snapcoalition.org
Attended SLEEP conference in Baltimore last month $ during the last few minutes of the last event on the last night I was there, I met Brad Wolgast, PhD, DBSM. As he chatted with my friend/science writer Lynne Lamberg, I looked him up on LinkedIn to connect. The University of Kansas logo pops up.
Happy 10-year anniversary to me at the Journal of Environmental Health. I've edited 350+ original research articles for this journal. It's an honor as a freelancer to have an anchor client who sees your value and keeps hiring you! Managing editor Kristen is a joy to work with. #SciComm #AmEditing
Went to a #SLEEP2026 conference last month and made a new friend…who sent me his new book. #SummerReading #Sleep
My dog is so scared of the fireworks, she’s (voluntarily) in my shower—the most dreaded place in my house (but perhaps the quietest). Imagine not being able to pee or poop because of loud noises outside for 7 hrs on a random evening. #Fireworks #Pets #July4
Sincere thanks to Jennifer Welsh for being our guest speaker this month for the @sciencewriters.org freelancer business chat. This month's topic: breaking up with clients.
how are we in 2026 and people STILL don’t know how to put a suitcase in an overhead bin or put small items under the seat? #Flying #SLEEP2026 #Flight
I should have made a “Y” at the end of the word, because I am S-L-E-E-P-Y! #SLEEP2026
Awaiting pistachio gelato after lobster ravioli. Get yourself to Tagliata in Baltimore! #SLEEP2026
When in Baltimore, have some lobster ravioli! #SLEEP2026
I definitely need more sleep bc apparently I can’t even remember to attach a photo to a post! Here it is. (Didn’t know until now that I needed cat slides—definitely boosted my mood. Listening to Dr. Suzanne Bertisch talk sleep+peri/postmenopause.) #SLEEP2026 #Cats #Menopause #Insomnia #WomensHealtg
Talking sec hormones, menstrual cycle, and sleep! First slide about how luteal phase gets a bad rap. #SLEEP2026 (Sleep phases, body temp, caffeine metabolism, mood—basically everything! affected by cycle phase. Glad we are untangling this all.) #WomensHealth
Talking caffeine at #SLEEP2026 and sad I missed the free coffee earlier today! As a freelancer, conference freebies definitely help with costs. (Side note: happy to see many attendees w their own metal water bottles! Refill in 3rd-floor hallway, on wall across from business center, btwn restrooms.)
The point is not to be able to read this slide but rather to point out that scientific/medical research takes people (people at all levels: lab tech/staff, undergrads, grad students, postdocs, PI) and collaborators and university support and federal funding. #NIH #Science #PhD #Postdoc #SLEEP2026
As usual, I want to be in two sessions at the same time. #FOMO #SLEEP2026 Still so much to learn re: sleep, hormones, and women.
Even in conference sessions with one door kept open, CO2 levels are fairly high (which contributes to fatigue, irritability, and poor memory)—not as high a level as on an airplane, though. Pretty good air flow at #SLEEP2026 sessions so far.
Speaker starts talk explaining she’s presenting her grad student’s work. “I have to declare I have no interest in this talk. (Audience laughs). She then realizes what she’s said and quickly clarifies: “I mean, I have no money.” (More laughter). —Overheard at #SLEEP2026
Slides not working and several women rush to help presenter. So wonderful! And, overheard at another talk after loud applause—“look at all the women up there” (presenting) #SLEEP2026
Attending conferences is a visual reminder that science is collaborative, international, and multidisciplinary. And requires government funding.
Talking nanoparticles at graduation (first PhDs conferred by #UW Molecular Enginering &Sciences Institute and listening to Dr. Elizabeth Nance!
Actual photo of me (so tired) after @acesediting.bsky.social conference. So fun catching up with my word nerd friends. #AmEditing #Travel #Editing #SciComm