Kathiann Kowalski

Freelance Writer

Kathiann Kowalski loves talking with scientists and engineers about their work and why it matters. And she loves getting into the field — whether that’s at a lab, in a research forest, at a drilling site or on a research boat. She has written more than 700 articles, plus 25 books for young people. “There’s always something new happening — and something new to learn,” she says.

 

Kathi graduated from Hofstra University in New York and got her law degree from Harvard Law School in Massachusetts. She previously practiced environmental law with a large firm. Kathi enjoys hiking, sewing, reading and travel.

All Stories by Kathiann Kowalski

  1. Agriculture

    Livestock: A need to save rare breeds

    New studies and ongoing work highlight why society should save rare livestock breeds — and the part that technology can play.

  2. Agriculture

    Explainer: What is a gene bank?

    Most banks store money. But some very special ones store deposits that may prove even more valuable: tissues that could prevent the extinction of breeds and species.

  3. Computing

    Explainer: What is a computer model?

    Computer models use data, math and computer instructions to predict events in the real world.

  4. Brain

    Scents may affect how appealing tobacco is

    Menthol’s effects on the brain may make tobacco more addicting. In contrast, foul odors might help smokers quit. Two new studies show how.

  5. Computing

    Models: How computers make predictions

    They use numbers to model real-world activities. And new insights in math are streamlining models’ design.

  6. Microbes

    Recycling the dead

    When things die, nature breaks them down through a process we know as rot. Without it, none of us would be here. Now, scientists are trying to better understand it so that they can use rot — preserving its role in feeding all living things.

  7. Health & Medicine

    Watch out: Cell phones can be addictive

    Smartphones and Facebook are convenient. New research shows that for some people they also can become dangerously addictive.

  8. Tech

    Soaking up oil spills — with cotton

    Natural, low-grade cotton could help clean up oil spills better than synthetic materials, a new study finds. And unlike synthetics, cotton breaks down naturally.

  9. Tech

    Invisible plastic ‘ink’ foils counterfeiters

    Hidden images make a new label virtually counterfeit-proof, thanks to a combination of chemistry and nanotechnology.

  10. Tech

    Fashioning inks to ‘print’ tissues

    3-D printing may one day create life-saving tissues and organs for transplants. But first researchers are learning how to tailor cell-filled “inks” for use in inkjet printers.

  11. Tech

    Digital displays get flexible

    Flexible and unbreakable digital displays could soon be for sale, thanks to a new organic transistor made from plastic.

  12. Tech

    Digital lighting goes organic

    An environmentally friendly lighting technology promises not only to save energy but also to transform our indoor environment.