Chris J Fisher
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c-j-fisher.bsky.social
Chris J Fisher
@c-j-fisher.bsky.social
Ph.D. Chemical Biologist & Scientific Communicator 🧬
Digging on Science in Society 🥼
Consumer of Science Facts & Science Fiction 📚
It's time for my annual reminder that turkey does NOT contain more #tryptophan than other meats, and the molecule is not the cause of your food coma!

Nevertheless, I hope this #science pun is enough to drive you off your screens for some well-deserved relaxation.

Happy Thanksgiving!

🧪 #SciComm
November 27, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Anyway, please join me in thanking my cat, Marten, for so graciously donating his whisker for this scientific explanation!

Disclaimer: This probably goes without saying, but NEVER pluck a whisker, even for science!

(8/8) 🧪
November 14, 2025 at 6:47 PM
I guess today is #FunFelineFactFriday because I have a cool tidbit about cats as a tool in research...and I don't mean as a model organism!

Did you know that crystallographers sometimes use cat whiskers to improve the size and quality of protein crystals for structural studies?

(1/8) 🧪
November 14, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Helpful Writer Behaviors #SciComm

(6/8) 🧪
November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Helpful Editor Behaviors #SciComm

(5/8) 🧪
November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Frustrating Writer Behaviors #SciComm

(4/8) 🧪
November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Frustrating Editor Behaviors #SciComm

(3/8) 🧪
November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
I've missed reading Begley's work, so finding this piece felt like finding buried treasure. Her writing was always such a treat.

Need proof? Check out the closing clip from the piece.

Yeah. It's that good. Go read it

🧪 (5/5)
November 8, 2025 at 7:22 PM
It's been too long, Chicago! I am excited to share that I am heading to Science Writers 2025.

I can't wait to connect with #SciComm pros & #ScienceWriters, including old friends & new!

If you'd like to meet up while I'm in town, reach out.

US flight apocalypse allowing, I'll see you there!
🧪
November 7, 2025 at 1:48 PM
The authors concisely encapsulate a number of studies to arrive at evidence-based recommendations for sharing medical numbers with patients and the public.

The paper got me thinking about my own approach to public #SciComm, offering a good reminder to think beyond my own understanding.

(5/7) 🧪
November 6, 2025 at 6:33 PM
I like to jokingly say "numbers are hard" when I make a mental math error.

But in all seriousness, it can be difficult for many to grasp numerical information, especially when it lacks rich context.

#SciComm #MedicalCommunications

(1/7) 🧪
November 6, 2025 at 6:33 PM
What do you think?

How do you approach science with babies, toddlers, and little kids? I'd LOVE to hear what works!

As a BONUS, here is a pic of my daughter enjoying a solar system poster we put up in her play space.

(7/7) 🧪
October 29, 2025 at 7:27 PM
It's easy to forget that #SciComm is for people of ALL ages, not just adults and teenagers.

But is there an age that's too young?

NOPE!

(1/7) 🧪
October 29, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Anyway, I thought I'd share some photos of a local monument to witch hunt victims from the Salem witch trials.

It's a strangely beautiful monument for such a dark period of US history.

(9/9) 🧪
October 28, 2025 at 7:32 PM
As of this weekend, different color transitions were visible, depending on the location of the leaves (and their light access).

I do love a little mesmerizing science to go with a pumpkin ale!

Anyway, happy fall to all!

(11/11) 🧪
October 21, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Even if you don't love the #Chemistry or the #PlantScience, I hope you'll at least enjoy the colors from the large 🍁 maple 🍁 tree decorating my yard.

(10/11) 🧪
October 21, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Fall is very much in swing here in Massachusetts! 🍂 🎃

As the temperatures cool off, harvest activities draw in flannel-wearing patrons for apple and pumpkin treats.

I'm all about eating enough apple cider donuts to get me through the winter.

To celebrate fall, let's talk some science!

(1/11) 🧪
October 21, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Beyond science, Goodall championed hope, reminding us that we hold the power to impact our world.

No matter how dark the situation feels, use Goodall as a reminder that doom and gloom are self-fulfilling prophecies.

Instead, listen to those around you, band together, and take action.

(5/5) 🧪
October 3, 2025 at 7:26 PM
But Goodall’s scientific impact extends well beyond her research.

Her incredible ability to tell stories that could capture the hearts and minds of others made her one of the most influential voices in #SciComm ever.

(3/5) 🧪
October 3, 2025 at 7:26 PM
No one understood the importance of scientists engaging in society more than #JaneGoodall.

Though she lived a long, vibrant life, I still felt sad today, knowing that we lost an incredible ambassador for science, whose empathy, curiosity, and resilience inspired me and countless others.

(1/5) 🧪
October 3, 2025 at 7:26 PM
If you saw a bunch of rubber ducks around Congress, you'd probably be curious enough to ask:

"What's up with the ducks?"

OR

"What the duck is going on?"

Let alone when you add a person in a duck suit into the mix.

(9/10) 🧪
September 23, 2025 at 6:30 PM
If you want to be a part of the solution and make science more impervious to partisan attacks, “We need to do a better job recognizing that the public is investing in this and we owe them a debt of gratitude, rather than simply lecturing to them on TV about all the great things we found.”

(8/9) 🧪
August 28, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Effective communication also requires a level of humility, transparency, and a willingness to engage in the more complex aspects of science. Acknowledging imperfections is integral to science & consensus-building.

But we don’t do a great job of showing the public how the “sausage is made.”

(7/9) 🧪
August 28, 2025 at 7:06 PM
While I’m all for having SciComm and #MedComms professionals lead the charge, it’s ALSO important that we treat communications and soft skills as a part of scientific training.

We need more people to have that training and experience to expand our reach.

(6/9) 🧪
August 28, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Part of the problem of massively mobilizing scientists to share their story and make the case for the enterprise is that effective #SciComm is a specialized skill, like any other in science and research.

It needs to be learned and developed, even if someone has an innate knack for it.

(4/9) 🧪
August 28, 2025 at 7:06 PM