Awards and Honors
- Paris Accords of Science National Press Foundation Fellow 2019
- National Academies of Science Keck Award for Magazine Writing 2018
- USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism, CA Reporting Fellow 2018
- Rosalynn Carter Fellow for Mental Health Journalism 2016-2017
- Harvard Medical School Mental Health Reporting Fellow 2015
- DC Science Writers Association Award in Short Science Journalism 2015
- Brown University Commencement Speaker, 2007
Writing, Reporting, and editing
Publications Editor, California Native Plant Society
March 2020-present
March 2020-present
- Managing editor and writer for two publications, the quarterly magazine Flora, and the biannual scientific journal Artemisia.
Freelance
June 2016-present | Lotus, CA
June 2016-present | Lotus, CA
- Conducted an investigation on palliative care for The Washington Post and a deep dive on ketamine for Knowable.
- Write weekly stories on earth science for Eos.
- Contribute bi-monthly essays to acclaimed science writing website The Last Word On Nothing
- Have written for Smithsonian, High Country News, Medium, Wired, Science News, and NASA. Please see selected work at www.emily-underwood.com.
Contributing Correspondent, Science
June 2016-present | Lotus, CA
June 2016-present | Lotus, CA
Write deeply reported print and online magazine stories on neuroscience and other topics, including a 2018 National Academies Keck Futures Award-winning feature on mental health among Iraqi refugees.
Staff Reporter, Science
December 2012-June 2016 | Washington, D.C.
December 2012-June 2016 | Washington, D.C.
- Reported and wrote print features on neuroscience, including complex and controversial topics such as autism, gun violence and neuroethics.
- Wrote daily online news, including several of Science’s most highly-viewed web stories.
- Attended scientific and government meetings to cultivate a broad network of sources.
- Edited Science’s “News in Brief” print section and online stories.
- Collaborated with multimedia team to obtain art for stories and produced infographics, videos and podcasts.
Intern, Science
July-December 2012 | Washington, D.C.
July-December 2012 | Washington, D.C.
- Produced 30 originally reported pieces, including multiple print stories and magazine-length features.
- Produced “Science LiveChats,” video Q&As with scientists on topics such as gun violence and environmental toxicology
Writing Instructor, John Hopkins University
September 2011-May 2012 | Baltimore, MD
September 2011-May 2012 | Baltimore, MD
- Wrote curriculum for and taught undergraduate course in science journalism and writing.
Communications Associate, American Rivers
November 2010-May 2011 | Washington, D.C.
November 2010-May 2011 | Washington, D.C.
Wrote and edited all press materials for national river conservation organization, including the “10 Most Endangered Rivers” campaign.
Editorial Intern, High Country News
January-July 2009 | Paonia, CO
January-July 2009 | Paonia, CO
Wrote stories on environment and culture in the West, including a print feature on Arapaho language preservation on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming.
Intern, Planning and Conservation League
August-October 2008 | Sacramento, CA
August-October 2008 | Sacramento, CA
Researched, edited and wrote policy materials on water policy and endangered species.
Education
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Master of Science Writing May 2012
Brown University, Providence, RI
Bachelor of Arts in Science & Society May 2007