Christian E.

About Christian E.

I’m an independent science and environmental journalist and an audio producer and science writer for NASA’s flagship agency podcast, Curious Universe. I\'m passionate about telling nuanced stories focused on humanity\'s relationship with the natural world, the trials and tribulations of scientists striving to understand our changing climate and, more generally, science as a cultural endeavor (and its complicated history).I\'m drawn to science at the edge—both of what we know and more literally in places it\'s difficult for even the most dogged researchers to reach (and in terms of what science institutions and funding structures are set up to support)—Alaskan glaciers, remote Chilean fjords, the deep sea. These are places changing rapidly due to human activity where science is absolutely critical but also incredibly hard to do.I’ve reported print and digital science feature stories for outlets like National Geographic, Scientific American, Undark, Hakai, Sierra, Smithsonian, Science and MIT Technology Review. My reporting in the field has been generously and repeatedly supported by the Pulitzer Center and has appeared as a \"notable\" in The Best American Science and Nature Writing. My work for NASA\'s Curious Universe has won multiple Webby awards, a Signal award and the agency\'s Story of the Year Award.Before joining NASA\'s audio team, I was a production intern for WBEZ, Chicago Public Media, where I produced segments focused on the environment for Reset, the station\'s two-hour daily news show. I also worked as a freelance U.S. correspondent for German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle\'s environmental podcast, Living Planet. I got my start in audio journalism at my hometown public radio station, WVIK, Quad Cities NPR. I have a master\'s degree in science journalism from Northwestern University\'s Medill School.

Experience

1. Audio Producer and Science Writer

   Nasa Goddard Space Flight Center

   Jun 2024 — Present · Greenbelt, MD, US

   As a producer and writer for NASA\'s flagship agency podcast, Curious Universe, I pitch story ideas, interview scientists, write scripts and sound design, mix and master final episodes. I\'ve covered the discovery of organic compounds on asteroid Bennu, how AI is reshaping hurricane forecasting and new technologies that will make life on the Moon\'s frigid South Pole possible.I also travel to NASA facilities to cover mission milestones as a field reporter for the show, act as a mentor for interns in NASA\'s audio storytelling program and provide scriptwriting and reporting flex support for video projects and NASA.gov feature articles across the agency.I\'ve organized editorial collaborations with other top science outlets and podcasts, including WNYC\'s Science Friday and Radiolab, NPR\'s Short Wave, Smithsonian\'s Sidedoor, DW\'s Living Planet, Scientific American\'s Science Quickly and 20 Thousand Hertz.

Education

• Northwestern University

  Master of Science - MS, Science and Environmental Journalism

• Rivermont Collegiate

  Honors Diploma, High School/Secondary Diplomas and Certificates

  2012 — 2016

• Augustana College

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Cultural Anthropology, Environmental Studies