Stella Mayerhoff | Science Journalist ✍🏼
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stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
Stella Mayerhoff | Science Journalist ✍🏼
@stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
270 followers 740 following 82 posts
UC Santa Cruz Science Communication 🧪📝
2025-26 Taylor/Blakeslee Fellow

Science communicator with a background in studying human and non-human primate cognition👧🏻🐒🧠

#SciCom #QueerInSTEM 🏳️‍🌈 (she/her)
Posts Replies Media Videos
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
Congratulations to our outstanding research assistant, Noel Kuebrich, for winning the First Place Poster Award at the Georgia State University Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference! 🏆🎉

Noel did a fantastic job creating and presenting their first poster!
Noel stands in front of a research poster. Noel takes a photo after receiving the first place poster award.
November 14, 2025 at 1:31 AM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
I went diving into a new story today! Does anyone know what I'm sitting in?

10 points for the correct answer.
5 points for the best incorrect answer.

I'd say there's no pressure, but there's definitely pressure.

(Hints are hidden in this post!)

@ucscscicomm.bsky.social
Stella is crouched down in the circular opening of an orange, metal tube. Behind her, you can see a light and a bed attached to the tube walls with chains. The tube sits within a mechanical-looking room.
November 12, 2025 at 2:13 AM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
I loved visiting the Shedd Aquarium as a kid. I remember sitting here, closing my eyes, and promising myself I’d work with animals one day.

I’ve spent a decade studying animals and came back to Chicago for #SciWri25. I now write about the wonders of wildlife.

Little Stella, we kept our promise.
A view of a large tank at the Shedd Aquarium with a dolphin jumping out of the water. The photo is taken from the audience, and a few heads are visible in the bottom of the photo. The floor-to-ceiling windows behind the tank give a view of Lake Michigan, creating somewhat of an illusion that the take goes far off into the distance.
November 12, 2025 at 12:14 AM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!
🚌 Seatbelts, everyone! 🚌

#MsFrizzle #MagicSchoolBus #SciComm
Stella is dressed up as Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus. She’s wearing a red orange wig and a blue dress with planets on it. She’s holding a yellow bag made to look like a school bus and her cat, who is dressed as Liz.
November 1, 2025 at 5:37 AM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
I spent all day speaking to scientists about conservation, only to come home to my cat attacking a white-faced capuchin. 🐒

(No real capuchins were harmed in this video…but stuffed animals? I’m not so sure. 🤷🏻‍♀️)
October 21, 2025 at 2:24 PM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
I’m heartbroken to learn that Jane Goodall passed away this morning.

As a primatologist and science communicator, I owe much of my career to Dr. Goodall. As a human being, I will always be grateful for her advocacy for animals and dedication to making the world a better place. 🌍🦍❤️
October 1, 2025 at 5:57 PM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
Anyone here skilled at identifying cicadas?

I found this cicada molting yesterday and had never seen one this size!

I’m located just outside of Atlanta and the last photo has a comparison of this one’s shell next to one the size I usually find.

#entomology #cicada #insectID
A green cicada emerging from its shell with my hand in the background for scale. A green cicada emerging from its shell. The shell is attached to a wooden post. A green cicada emerging from its shell. The shell is attached to a wooden post. The empty shell of the cicada from the other photos placed next to a smaller empty cicada shell on a green picnic table.
August 12, 2025 at 7:33 PM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
Oh, Stella from 14 years ago. You’re not allergic to everything. You have hereditary alpha tryptasemia syndrome.

No one knows it exists yet, but incredible scientists at NIH will discover it in a few years.

Their work will give you access to a diagnosis and medical care.

#FundScience #NIH 🧪🩺
A screenshot from Facebook memories. Included in the screenshot: On this day 14 years ago. Why am I allergic to EVERYTHING??????? I’m really sick of hives.
June 22, 2025 at 12:28 AM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
CONTENTS OF A BLACK HOLE CAUGHT ON CAMERA 🔭🪐☄️🛰️

#cat #catsofbluesky
June 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
HAPPY NEWS!!! 🎉

I TNR (trap-neuter-return) cats to help with the stray cat population in my neighborhood and just got a call that a cat I brought in has a microchip!

She’s been lost for a month and now gets to go home! 🥹

🚨PLEASE MICROCHIP YOUR PETS AND UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION!!!🚨
Black and white cat with green/yellow eyes, a light pink nose, and white whiskers sits in a metal humane trap. She’s looking upward, away from the camera.
May 15, 2025 at 4:43 PM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
🍑 Hey, Atlanta! 🍑

Visit the Science.Art.Wonder booth TODAY at the Atlanta Science Festival Expo to see some incredible science artwork! 🔬🥼🎨🖌️

We’re at booth S807 in the "STEAM" group!

#ScienceATL #SciComm #ScienceArtWonder #Atlanta
A festival booth under a white tent with artwork displayed. Several art pieces on displays, including depictions of faces, a baby, and cells. A painting of monkeys typing on a computer and thinking about a to-do list (a to-do list in a thought bubble) in front of a white tent with other art.
March 22, 2025 at 2:51 PM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
I’m heartbroken to hear that Kanzi has passed away. I will forever be grateful for the time I spent with this smart, rambunctious, sweet bonobo. There will never be another Kanzi. Sending love to all who loved him.
❤️🧪

📷: ACCI
Kanzi, staring into the camera. He looks calm and almost as if he’s giving a slight smile.
March 19, 2025 at 6:50 PM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
Science.Art.Wonder connects scientists with artists to convey science through art. I’m paired with Ashlyn Willis, who created this amazing painting based on my work studying cognitive offloading in primates! 🧪🐒🎨

You can see all of our artwork on 3/22 at the Atlanta Science Festival Expo!

#SciComm
Painting of three monkeys. One is typing something into Google, one is thinking about a to-do list (depicted with a thought bubble), and one is writing something down.
March 10, 2025 at 11:58 PM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
After learning about how animals use camouflage, the girls of 3D Girls, Inc. put their own camouflaging skills to the test! 🦋

If you’re in Atlanta and looking for ways to get involved in STEM outreach, check out Science ATL’s STEM Professional School Partnership program!

#ScienceATL #3DGirlsInc
Three photos in a collage, each with a paper cutout of a butterfly positioned and colored with markers to blend in with its surroundings. Photo 1: a butterfly with colorful stripes that align a wooden rainbow decoration behind it. Photo 2: a blue butterfly sits on top of a plastic bin with a blue lid. Photo 3: a brown butterfly sits against the brown backing of a bookshelf.
March 1, 2025 at 4:39 PM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
Can you guess tomorrow’s science topic based on these supplies?

Hint:
🌿🍃🌳🌲🐸🌿🌱🌳🦎🍃

Looking forward to another school visit with 3D Girls, Inc. through Science ATL’s STEM Professional School Partnership program!

#SciComm #ScienceATL #GirlsInSTEM
An overhead view of supplies in a clear plastic bin. There’s a stack of disposable plates, clear sandwich bags holding mixes of M&M and Skittles of various colors, clear sandwich bags holding hole punch circles of various colors, a stack of white paper cutouts in the shape of butterflies, markers, colored pencils, tape, and colorful construction paper.
February 28, 2025 at 1:40 AM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
Last year, I had the joy of sharing the @storycollider.bsky.social stage with incredible storytellers, including @drkencarter.bsky.social.

Today, I got to share that joy with my Abnormal Psychology students as they listened to Dr. Carter's fascinating guest lecture on thrill-seeking!

📷: Rob Felt
A group of seven individuals (five storytellers and two Story Collider producers) stand next to one another on the Story Collider stage, posing for the photo.
February 26, 2025 at 11:58 PM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
There’s nothing like getting a letter (and adorable stickers) from my Letters to a Pre-Scientist pen pal! ✏️✉️

She’s going to be a pulmonologist one day! 🩺🥼🫁

#LettersToAPreScientist #GirlsInSTEM
A handwritten letter that starts with “Dear Stella” covered with stickers. The stickers are mostly of cats. Another says, “Be positive, productive, patient, and persistent.” Another is the Letters to a Pre-Scientist logo. In the gaps between the stickers, you can see little bits of the letter. Phrases like “Georgia State University” and “I need to think about which college I want to go to” peek through.
February 23, 2025 at 3:49 PM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
This account is meant to be a professional account rather than a personal one.

So, professionally speaking, does anyone in Atlanta want to adopt this adorable kitten I caught and had spayed? 🙃

Her breed is purr-machine-lovebug.
(Professional opinion, of course.)

#adopt #kitten #cat #Atlanta
February 11, 2025 at 12:42 AM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
I think we were watching the wrong eagles. 🤷🏻‍♀️
A black and white cat stares at a tv screen displaying footage of a bald eagle perched on a branch.
February 10, 2025 at 3:39 AM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
Trapped this stray cat today so I can get it spayed/neutered!

I need name recommendations! I wrote down “TBD” for the last cat I had neutered and now he’s my foster cat…and I still call him TBD. 😆

So not only is the name TBD taken, but I clearly need my naming privileges revoked. Help!!!
A grey kitten with green eyes sits in a humane cat trap, a long rectangular enclosure made of metal grating. An empty can of cat food sits beside the cat in the trap.
February 9, 2025 at 11:43 PM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
When you're a scientist who loves Wicked, you teach students about defying gravity! 💗💚

We made self-watering planters that use capillary action, learned about friction while making DIY hoverboards, and watched carbon dioxide bubbles lift popcorn kernels!

#SciComm #3DGirlsInc #ScienceATL
A collage of three images. In the first, a young girl is posing in front of a screen that says, "Girls Link Up S.T.E.A.M. @scienceatl." She's making a peace sign with one hand and holding a hand-made planter in another. In the second picture, a young girl is shifting a DIY hoverboard (made with a balloon and CD) around on top of a desk. In the third picture, a young girl is pouring popcorn kernels into a tall, clear vase filled with soda water.
February 5, 2025 at 5:30 PM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
This jar is one of my favorite possessions. It has a bead for every student I’ve taught.

Today, I added mini brains for my Abnormal Behavior class.

🧠 Spring 2025 Abnormal Behavior
🐥 Fall 2024 Developmetal Psych
🦏 Spring 2024 Animal Behavior
🅰️ Fall 2023 Developmental Psych

@phdvoice.bsky.social
A clear vase with a wide body and narrow neck sits on a white window sill. Outside of the window is a brown fence and green trees. The jar is about a quarter full with colorful beads. The beads are in various shapes including multicolored rubber ducks and wild animals, wooden alphabet blocks, and little pink brains. A black and white cat with green eyes is looking out the window next to the vase.
January 26, 2025 at 7:43 PM
stellamayerhoff.bsky.social
Here’s my cat tax and shameless plug for my foster cat, TBD!

I thought he was a feral cat so I trapped, neutered, and released him. I put “TBD” as his name on his vet forms because I hadn’t even named him.

Turns out he’s not feral, just weird.

He lives inside now, but his name stuck!
Black and white cat sprawled out, sleeping a bed.
January 21, 2025 at 3:09 PM