Science Communication

Highlights of my science communication work: articles, short films, courses, talks, and more

Papers, Perspectives & Books

First page of the paper "Advancing inclusion through culturally relevant science communication: a perspective from Puerto Rico"

Advancing inclusion through culturally relevant science communication: a perspective from Puerto Rico (2022) Journal of Science Communication

First page of the paper "Gene editing communication must center marginalized communities"

Gene editing communication must center marginalized communities (2020) Environmental Communication

First page of the paper "Science communication demands a critical approach that centers inclusion, equity and intersectionality"

Science communication demands a critical approach that centers inclusion, equity and intersectionality (2020) Frontiers in Communication

First page of the paper "The science and power of storytelling"

The science and power of storytelling (2018) The Journal of Neuroscience

First pager of the paper "Impact of culturally relevant contextualized activities on elementary and middle school students perceptions of science: An exploratory study"

Impact of culturally relevant contextualized activities on elementary and middle school students perceptions of science: An exploratory study (2014) International Journal of Science Education

First page of the paper "Supporting diversity in science through social networking"

Supporting diversity in science through social networking (2013) PLOS Biology

Cover of the book "¡Ciencia Boricua! Ensayos y anécdotas del científico puertorro (Boricua Science! Essays and anecdotes by Puerto Rican scientists)"

¡Ciencia Boricua! Ensayos y anécdotas del científico puertorro (Boricua Science! Essays and anecdotes by Puerto Rican scientists) (2011) Ediciones Callejón

Short Films

BACKGROUND TO BREAKTHROUGH

I was the lead producer and director for this series of short films expanding the definition of who can become a scientist and shift the narratives of deficit about scientists of color and from marginalized backgrounds.

Manu Prakash: Finding sublime in the mundane (2019)

Rebecca Calisi Rodriguez: Charting an original path (2019)

Esteban González Burchard: Who’s included? (2018)

Esteban González Burchard: Which box do I check? (2018)

Esteban González Burchard: An inclusive future (2018)

Courses & Trainings

"How to practice culturally relevant science communication" – I partnered with Lifeology and illustrator Mya Pagán to create this free course that reviews principles and strategies for making science communication more culturally relevant and inclusive. The course is also available en español.

Share your research: How to give a good talk – A free online course focused on how-to strategies and skills to create and deliver a good research talk. I served as one of the course directors and content experts in the course.

A collage featuring the images of the instructors and actor in the SCOPE course, including Mónica. The collage also includes the National Science Foundation and RCTP logos.

SCOPE (Science Communication Online Programme) – An NSF-funded free online course that introduces STEM graduate students to effective science communication. I was one of 10 curriculum developers, and created the Speaking and Writing Without Jargon module.

Op-ed como herramienta de liderazgo e influencia (Op-eds as a tool for leadership and influence) (2020) Webinar, Puerto Rico Science Policy Action Network

Collaborations

AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

I collaborated with the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) to voice a series of Spanish-language videos about viruses, how scientists study them, vaccines and COVID-19, and how a pandemic might end.

JUEVES DE CIENCIA BORICUA, RADIO ISLA 1320 AM

I am the producer and co-host of "Jueves de Ciencia Boricua" (Puerto Rican Science Thursdays), a collaboration between Ciencia Puerto Rico and prime-time radio talk show "¡Qué es la que hay! con Luis Herrero" on Radio Isla, where we discuss news about science and Puerto Rico. See the full list of interviews.

Service & Volunteering

Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communication (2021) Juror
Inclusive science communication in theory and practice: Special issue, Frontiers in Communication (2019 – 2020) Topic Editor
Genetics Society of America, Public Communication & Engagement committee (2018) Member
CAISE Research & Practice Task Force (2018 – 2020) Member
#InclusiveSciComm Planning Committee (2018 – 2020) Member
Support Systems for Scientists' Communication & Engagement Workshops (2017 – 2019) Participant
Historias de #CienciaBoricua (2017) Co-organizer and Speaker
Voices, Scientific American Blogs Network (2014) Founding Member

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