I have been the editor of NASA's Science@NASA website, http://science.nasa.gov, for more than 15 years. During that time I have worked with and supervised dozens of talented science writers. Dauna Coulter is my favorite.
Dauna has an uncanny knack for connecting with people--particularly her readers. This allows her to explain challenging concepts using language and emotions that resonate with people from all walks of life. No topic is outside her range.
Dauna also connects with her interviewees. They really enjoy being interviewed by Dauna and the stories she writes about their work. As a result, researchers become a rich source of future story ideas as they call Dauna with updates about their work.
Dauna makes friends easily and works well with others. You can insert her into any work environment and rest assured that the social situation will get no worse--and probably improve very much.
If I had to run a science communications web site from a desert island with only one science writer to assist me, I would choose Dauna Coulter. I strongly recommend her for any communications position you have to offer. She is a great asset.
Hi Ms. Coulter, just wanted to tell you, you did a great job on the solar wind piece. I could of been just another press release but your lede sucked me right in. It read like a story. Bravo!
How wonderful that a science writer can cross-quote both Dylan Thomas and T.S. Eliot! So much for the popular view that scientists and those steeped in science are far too narrowly focused.
I read your essay about "Curiosity" on NASA Science News with great pleasure indeed.
I am an author and a freelance editor -- and I write a regular column for the Atlanta
Writers Club called "From the Tip of My Pen." Those monthly articles deal with ways to
use the English language effectively.
I am so impressed when I read a scientific article that is as lucid as yours was.
Your image of exploring grandmother's dusty diary was truly brilliant.
The "bird-dog" simile was equally effective. Thank you for your meticulous detail
and your fine writing. You're going on my gratitude list tonight because of the
joy I felt reading about "Curiosity."
That was a fascinating article you wrote for NASA Science News about the Maya and their demise that was
likely due in large part to deforestation! You left me wanting to learn more. Please keep up the great work.
Interviewee Marc Rayman, Dawn mission chief engineer, emailed the following comment
in response to my story entitled "How William Shatner Changed the World": "You really craft a neat story!
I thought this was both informative and entertaining. Thank you again for your help not only spreading
the news about Dawn but also about all the other neat stories of yours that I’m lucky enough to read."
He emailed the following comment in response to my story entitled "Countdown to Vesta": "Hi Dauna,
I was delighted to see the story yesterday. Once again, I think you did a really wonderful job with
it. I hope we get the opportunity to work together again."
Interviewee Ron Dantowitz, a teacher I interviewed for my story entitled "Students Record Spellbinding
Video of Disintegrating Spacecraft": "one of the amazing things about your article is that it showcases the
NASA mission and the students so very well.....Well written Dauna!"
To Whom it May Concern
I have been the editor of NASA's Science@NASA website, http://science.nasa.gov, for more than 15 years. During that time I have worked with and supervised dozens of talented science writers. Dauna Coulter is my favorite.
Dauna has an uncanny knack for connecting with people--particularly her readers. This allows her to explain challenging concepts using language and emotions that resonate with people from all walks of life. No topic is outside her range.
Dauna also connects with her interviewees. They really enjoy being interviewed by Dauna and the stories she writes about their work. As a result, researchers become a rich source of future story ideas as they call Dauna with updates about their work.
Dauna makes friends easily and works well with others. You can insert her into any work environment and rest assured that the social situation will get no worse--and probably improve very much.
If I had to run a science communications web site from a desert island with only one science writer to assist me, I would choose Dauna Coulter. I strongly recommend her for any communications position you have to offer. She is a great asset.
Hi Ms. Coulter, just wanted to tell you, you did a great job on the solar wind piece. I could of been just another press release but your lede sucked me right in. It read like a story. Bravo!
Re: There's a universal tendency to heed Dylan Thomas's exhortation and go out with a bang instead of a whimper. (In: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/21oct_oddballs.htm?list828676)
How wonderful that a science writer can cross-quote both Dylan Thomas and T.S. Eliot! So much for the popular view that scientists and those steeped in science are far too narrowly focused.
Thanks for an article from the edge of discovery!
That was one of the best written stories I've ever read on the NASA site!!! Keep up the great work, and Merry Christmas!!
Dauna Coulter,
What a wonderful bit of science writing ("Christmas Eve Sky Show"). Well done. Thanks for a small gem.
Keep on crafting these bits of sparkles.
(Forward this to your boss to let your boss know that you are good).
I just loved your Christmas Eve Sky Show story. Your writing is beautiful.
I read your essay about "Curiosity" on NASA Science News with great pleasure indeed. I am an author and a freelance editor -- and I write a regular column for the Atlanta Writers Club called "From the Tip of My Pen." Those monthly articles deal with ways to use the English language effectively.
I am so impressed when I read a scientific article that is as lucid as yours was. Your image of exploring grandmother's dusty diary was truly brilliant. The "bird-dog" simile was equally effective. Thank you for your meticulous detail and your fine writing. You're going on my gratitude list tonight because of the joy I felt reading about "Curiosity."
Thank you for your engaging and relevant style for delivering science news.
The article today that draws parallels to Troy reminded me how much I enjoy all the articles. Keep up the great work!
That was a fascinating article you wrote for NASA Science News about the Maya and their demise that was likely due in large part to deforestation! You left me wanting to learn more. Please keep up the great work.
I love this piece! I'll have to say I had/have tears in my eyes reading the last two paragraphs. And wonderful sunset photo!
Interviewee Marc Rayman, Dawn mission chief engineer, emailed the following comment in response to my story entitled "How William Shatner Changed the World": "You really craft a neat story! I thought this was both informative and entertaining. Thank you again for your help not only spreading the news about Dawn but also about all the other neat stories of yours that I’m lucky enough to read."
He emailed the following comment in response to my story entitled "Countdown to Vesta": "Hi Dauna, I was delighted to see the story yesterday. Once again, I think you did a really wonderful job with it. I hope we get the opportunity to work together again."
Interviewee Ron Dantowitz, a teacher I interviewed for my story entitled "Students Record Spellbinding Video of Disintegrating Spacecraft": "one of the amazing things about your article is that it showcases the NASA mission and the students so very well.....Well written Dauna!"