Kari Goodbar

As a Science Communication graduate student at the University of California, Santa Cruz, I combine the curiosity of science with the craft of journalism. My skills encompass many different formats, including writing, photography, videography, and podcasting. Although I have enjoyed publishing stories in local news and online science journalism outlets, I find I am most fulfilled when I am collaborating with scientific teams and using my creativity across a variety of media to support and broadcast their work.

Prior to becoming a banana slug, my resume was a bemusing assortment of jobs that featured animal care, biomechanics research, coconut harvesting, marine debris removal, and compost collection. These various roles, though seemingly unrelated, all point to key values: a deep fascination with the natural world and a desire to protect and share it with others. As a science communicator, I now realize the chronic curiosity that led me to explore different paths is a valuable asset. I recognize that the lifelong gravitational pulls towards writing and photography are not just hobbies but critical professional skills in an age of climate urgency and disconnect from science. I am currently living in Santa Cruz after spending the past ten years of my life on O‘ahu – a decade that deepened my perspective on the intersection of social, environmental, and historical issues within science. I’m thrilled to start a comprehensive career where my love of learning and multimedia skills provide much needed support for scientists and their research.