CV | Alie Caldwell, Ph.D.

Science Writing and Communication

Mayo Clinic, March 2024 – Present
Senior Director of Development Communications

Inspiring principal-level gifts for Mayo Clinic’s top priorities by conveying complex biomedical and technical topics in compelling ways
As the Science Editor, I support my team’s overall scientific acumen and confidence in writing and speaking about science by providing editorial feedback on content and sharing resources and data on science writing best practices
I lead scientific content development for the Mayo Clinic Magazine, a digital and print platform for sharing stories about biomedical research, medical breakthroughs, and patient impacts with our benefactor audience

Neuro Transmissions YouTube Channel, March 2015-Present
Co-Creator/Writer/Host

I have researched and written over 100 videos on a wide variety of neuroscience and psychology-related topics, garnering an audience of over 200,000 subscriber
This work has been recognized by a number of awards, including the Grand Prize in the 2016 Khan Academy Talent Search and First Place in the 2017 Brain Awareness Video Contest hosted by the Society for Neuroscience

Health & Wellness Partners, April 2023 – March 2024
Medical Writer

Developing and producing content in collaboration with pharmaceutical marketing teams to educate clinician and patient audiences on disease states and newly-approved medications
Quickly assumed a leadership role and now lead content development and client interactions for one of the company’s largest clients

University of Chicago Medicine, July 2020 – March 2023
Senior Science Writer

Led a team of research communications professionals in developing written and multimedia stories about biomedical research for digital and traditional media audiences
Coordinated with faculty and staff to identify key research topics and manage media requests
Achieved notable media coverage, including a 60 Minutes story about brain-machine interfaces, New York Times coverage of the genetics of the Black Death, and Forbes coverage of research on nitrous oxide for treating depression

Bigelow Science Communication Fellow, September 2019 – May 2020
2019 Fellow

Awarded the inaugural Bigelow Science Communication Fellowship from UC San Diego’s Department of Health Sciences in collaboration with the Jacobs School of Engineering and Scripps Institute of Oceanography media departments to learn public information and PR skills
I wrote and produced press releases, blog posts, feature news stories, podcasts, videos, and social media posts to showcase university research across a wide span of topics, including funding awards, healthcare news, microbiome innovations, climate change and conservation, energy solutions, and atmospheric sciences
During the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I pivoted my plans for a climate change-focused capstone project to supporting and showcasing UC San Diego Health’s efforts to understand the virus and combat the pandemic, culminating in a series of videos explaining key concepts for preventing and protecting against COVID-19

San Diego Science Storytelling, Y’all (SASSY), March 2019 – June 2020
Organizer

A live, first-person storytelling event located in San Diego, SASSY invites community members to pitch stories about their experiences and relationships with science, then work with storytellers to help them craft their story and get comfortable telling it on stage, culminating in a live event where admission fees are donated to a local science-focused charity
Oversaw planning of individual live events, including budgeting, developing a timeline, creating template emails to promote the pitch call and event, soliciting pitches via email and social media, advertising the event via social media channels, and hosting the live event itself
Provided one-on-one mentorship and written feedback to storytellers developing their pitch, as well as editing written stories and providing feedback during in-person rehearsal events
Told a story during the SASSY: Superstition event in September of 2019

SciShow YouTube Channel, October 2015-May 2018
Freelance Script Writer

During my time writing for SciShow, I wrote 50 scripts covering a range of topics from “The Strange, Smelly Science of Decomposing Bodies” to “9 Futuristic Materials”
A reflection of my skills handling delicate subjects, I worked with the editors to write and edit scripts on several sensitive topics, including “The Psychology of Trolling” and “Intersex Across the Animal Kingdom

NeuWrite San Diego, October 2015-May 2018
Blogger

Choosing and researching topics for blogging and writing and sharing blog posts
Posts include Star Wars Science: Sci-Fi Syndrome, Neuroprosthetics, and Luke Skywalker’s Hand and Grad Gloom: Mental Health and Grad School

Fleet Science Center, December 2017
Invited Speaker

Gave a talk titled The Psychology of Jedi Mind Control, describing examples of Jedi Mind Control in the Star Wars films and comparing them with real-world psychology research, at the private event celebrating the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Pint of Science San Diego, May 2016
Speaker

Gave a talk titled The Psychology of Jedi Mind Control, as part of the Pint of Science festival bringing casual talks by scientists to the public in bars and restaurants in and around San Diego, CA

Research

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, July 2014-August 2019
Graduate Student, Nicola Allen Lab

I developed a novel protocol for the isolation of primary mouse astrocytes under serum-free conditions, allowing me to identify over 1000 unique proteins secreted by astrocytes in vitro. My dissertation work identified several proteins that show differential secretion patterns in astrocytes from several genetic neurodevelopmental disorders compared to wild-type that appear to play roles in the pathology of these disorders
I studied these proteins in vivo and in vitro using high-resolution fluorescent microscopy and determined that targeting these proteins can provide new therapeutic avenues for these disorders
My dissertation research was published in Nature Neuroscience in 2022.
In addition to research, I mentored junior graduate students during their rotations in the lab, teaching them lab techniques, planning and assigning tasks, monitoring research progress and providing feedback

University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, September 2013-July 2014
Rotation Student

Rotation with Yimin Zou, using immunofluorescence to study spinal cord injury outcomes in a conditional knock-out mouse line
Rotation with Chitra Mandyam, using Golgi staining to examine morphological changes in hippocampal pyramidal cells following methamphetamine administration

The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, June 2011-July 2013
Research Technologist II, Shailendra Patel Lab

Working under Dr. Shailendra Patel, studying the effects of cholesterol and plant sterols on mice with genetic deficits in sterol processing. Mice with the Abcg8-/- mutation cannot physiologically distinguish between cholesterol and plant sterols, resulting in a buildup of xenosterols in the system, which creates severe health consequences. My research found that, contrary to expectations, placing these mice on a low-sterol diet containing the sterol-blocking drug ezitimibe allowed them to purge the excess sterols and reverse many of the symptoms of xenosterol build up.
This work was presented at The Medical College of Wisconsin Faculty Research Day on September 14, 2012
Techniques mastered include PCR/genotyping, Western blotting, sterol extraction and GC Mass Spec sterol analysis, PIXImus bone density/body fat analysis, Biodaq feeding/dietary analysis, and qPCR. Administrative duties included: supply ordering and inventory, data analysis, tracking data collection and monitoring project progress

Education

Skills

Science writing, editing, written communications, digital media, social media, social media management, digital media strategy, public relations, strategic communications, scriptwriting, peer-to-peer education, medical writing, direct-to-patient education, public speaking, event planning, workshop facilitation, science communication, primary cell culture, data analysis, manuscript and grant preparation, team management, trainee mentorship, project coordination, team leadership

Honors and Awards

Lab Grammy: Postdoc Me Now, June 2019
Writer, Director, Vocalist, Actor
Biotechniques

Leon Thal Award for Excellence in Neurosciences Graduate Research, May 2019
2019 Awardee
UC San Diego Neurosciences Graduate Program

Dennis Weatherstone Predoctoral Fellowship, June 2018
2018 Fellow
Autism Speaks

First Place Winner in the Neuroscience Is…™ Rewarding category: Why I Love Neuroscience, April 2018
Writer/Actor
The American Academy of Neurology Neuro Film Festival

International Wildlife Film Festival Labs Fellowship, April 2018
2018 Fellow
IWFF

First Place Winner: What are Optogenetics?, August 2017
Writer/Actor
BrainFacts.org Brain Awareness Video Contest

Finalist: What is Energy?, April 2017
Finalist in the 2017 Flame Challenge
The Alda Kavli Learning Center for Science Communication

Grand Prize Winner: Parts of the Brain, October 2016
Grand prize winner in a field of over 1,300 submissions
The Khan Academy Talent Search

Science Media Awards and Summit in the Hub Fellowship, July 2016
2016 Fellow
Jackson Hole WILD and WGBH

Third Place Winner: Your Sixth Sense, September 2015
Writer/Actor
BrainFacts.org Brain Awareness Video Contest

Second Place Winner: Three Lesions, Three Lives, September 2014
Writer/Actor
BrainFacts.org Brain Awareness Video Contest

Research Publications

Caldwell, A. L. M., Sancho, L., Deng, J., Bosworth, A., Miglietta, A., Diedrich, J. K., Shokhirev, M. N., & Allen, N. J. (2022). Aberrant astrocyte protein secretion contributes to altered neuronal development in multiple models of neurodevelopmental disorders. Nature neuroscience, 25(9), 1163–1178. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-022-01150-1

Blanco-Suárez, E.*, Caldwell, A. L. M.*, & Allen, N. J. (2017). Role of astrocyte-synapse interactions in CNS disorders. The Journal of physiology, 595(6), 1903–1916. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP270988. *Contributed equally

Zainabadi, K., Liu, C. J., Caldwell, A. L. M., & Guarente, L. (2017). SIRT1 is a positive regulator of in vivo bone mass and a therapeutic target for osteoporosis. PloS one, 12(9), e0185236. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0185236

Research Posters and Presentations

Alison Caldwell (Talk) “Identifying Astrocyte-Secreted Protein Factors Linked to Altered Neuronal Development in ASD”. Gordon Research Seminar: Functional Interactions Among Glia and Neurons. March 2, 2019

Caldwell, A.L.M. and Allen, N.J. (Poster) “Identifying Astrocyte-Secreted Protein Factors Linked to Altered Neuronal Development in ASD”. Gordon Research Conference: Functional Interactions Among Glia and Neurons. March 2-5, 2019

Alison Caldwell (Talk) “Astrocytes, A New Hope: Studying astrocytes to gain insight into neurodevelopmental disorders”. UCSD Neurosciences Graduate Program Retreat. May 5, 2017

Caldwell, A.L.M. and Caldwell, M.J.R. (Poster) “It’s Not Rocket Surgery, It’s Brain Science: Using YouTube to Communicate Science”. ComSciCon16 National Workshop. June 11, 2016

Caldwell, A.L.M. and Allen, N.J. (Poster) “Astrocytes, a New Hope: Studying astrocytes to gain insight into neurodevelopmental disorders.” The Salk Institute for Biological Studies Science at the Seaside Retreat. October 6, 2015

Caldwell, A.L.M., Stogsdill, B., Cai, Y. and Patel, S.B. (Poster) “Xenosterol kinetics in Abcg8 knockout mice; a model for the human disorder of Sitosterolemia.” The Medical College of Wisconsin Faculty Research Day. September 14, 2012

Professional Development and Workshops

VidCon, Anaheim CA, June 20-24, 2018
Attendee – Creator Track

Attended the invitation-only pre-VidCon workshop EduCon, organized by YouTube EDU team in collaboration with We Create Edu, an online community of educational content creators
Engaged in unconference sessions and discussion-based workshops with other creators to share ideas and provide feedback to YouTube

International Wildlife Film Festival (IWFF) Labs, Missoula, MT, April 13-19, 2018
2018 Fellow

“An immersive cross-disciplinary science filmmaking workshop between scientists & media makers”
IWFF Labs fellows attend hands-on workshops with filmmaking experts, learn about the science of science communication, and attend fireside chats with world experts
Between workshops, fellows work to produce short documentary films showcasing the work of local science and conservation groups

Science Media Awards and Summit in the Hub (SMASH), Boston, MA, September 20-22, 2016
2016 Fellow

A gathering of science media stakeholders, including scientists and science journalists, celebrating science media and innovations in science communication, exploring new methods for communication science to global and diverse audiences
SMASH Fellows participate in mentorship activities and workshops before and after the conference to meet with leaders in science communication and receive guidance and feedback on new and developing projects
Attending the Jackson Hole Science Media Awards Gala on September 21

ComSciCon16 National Workshop, Cambridge, MA, June 9-11, 2016
Attendee

A workshop organized by graduate students geared toward providing other graduate students with the skills and resources to share their research with broad and diverse audiences
Attended the Pitch Slam workshop lead by Chris Berdik, freelance science journalist and education technology writer, and the Write-A-Thon workshop lead by Elizabeth Choe, Program Coordinator and Executive Producer for the MIT+K12 Videos Program

West Coast Science Communication Retreat, Malibu, CA, November 13-15, 2015
Attendee

A weekend of networking, workshops, and discussions with West Coast science communicators
Attended the Video Workshop led by Amy Shira Teitel and Neil Loisin, keynote address by Beth Pratt-Bergstrom, the California Director for the National Wildlife Federation, and conference sessions on “Escaping the SciComm Echo Chamber” and “Defining SciComm Success”

Service

Spotlight on Science, February 2019
Speaker

Invited to speak on the utility of using social media as a scientist for trainees at the Medical College of Wisconsin
Presented for an audience of over 40 graduate students and postdocs on the ways using social media is beneficial both personally and professionally for scientists, and engaged attendees with a short hands-on activity to record their research “elevator pitch” and upload it to social media

ComSciCon National, June 2018
Program Organizing Committee chair & Leadership Team member

As the programming committee chair, I led a team of 8 members to arrange panel discussions, develop new hands-on workshops, invite speakers, and plan social and networking events for 50 graduate student workshop attendees, while tracking the event budget and coordinating with other organizing teams
Successfully coordinated numerous sponsorships, such as a donated keynote presentation by Liz Neely of The StoryCollider and a $10,000 donation and special film screening by Tangled Bank Studies at HHMI
Produced the 2018 Annual Report for our stakeholders after the workshop, showcasing new programs and future directions

Support Systems for Scientists’ Communication and Engagement, March 2018
Graduate Student Participant

In winter of 2017/2018, the Kavli Foundation organized a series of workshops bringing together leaders and stakeholders in the science communication community to discuss the barriers facing scientists and communicators in effectively engaging with the public
Invited to attend Workshop 3: Academic Institutions as a graduate student representative, to present the graduate student perspective on this issue within the academic institutional structure and showcase existing science communication resources by and for graduate students

UCSD’s Research Communications Program, November 2017
Speaker

UCSD’s Research Communications Program is dedicated to providing information and resources on effective communications techniques to staff working in scientific research
Gave a talk titled “Social Media for Scientists” at the “Introduction to Social Media for Researchers” event highlighting my personal experiences using social media as a scientist, outlining the benefits of using social media, and giving tips and tricks for getting started on platforms like Twitter and Instagram

ComSciCon San Diego, September 15-16, 2017
Workshop leader

Organized a workshop alongside Micah Caldwell designed to help attendees turn a blog-style written piece of science communication into a video
Discussed what makes good video scicomm, how to structure a script, software and equipment needs, and helped attendees outline their own scripts for videos

ComSciCon National, June 8-10, 2017
Program Organizing Committee co-chair

Co-chair of the program organizing committee, arranging panel discussions, hands-on workshops, keynote speakers, and social events for networking, in addition to managing other programming committee members
Co-organizer of the Digital Storytelling Panel, highlighting new and unusual ways to use digital media platforms to communicate science to broad audiences

ComSciCon San Diego, September 16-17, 2016
Organizing Committee Member

A locally-organized satellite event of the ComSciCon National Workshop, intended to provide local San Diego students with resources for science communication
Co-organized a Social Media panel and workshop to teach graduate students effective techniques for using social media for science communication and outreach
Coordinated resources for out-of-town speakers, steered the program’s social media account (@comsciconSD), and photographed the event

UCSD Neuro Grad Program New Media Committee, November 2015 – November 2016
Chair

The New Media Committee works to promote the use of new and social medias for networking, data sharing, and science communication between researchers and with the public
Spearheading the planning for an upcoming informal satellite panel at the Society for Neuroscience 2016 meeting in San Diego, CA, titled “Online Science: Tools and Tips for Young Scientists”. The panel will include four speakers from a range of career paths, providing information on how to online tools effectively and efficiently to reach various goals

UCSD Neuro Grad Program Career Development Committee, October 2015 – November 2016
Chair

The Career Development Committee coordinates with faculty and staff to provide resources and information to NGP students considering careers in academia, industry, policy, and other non-academic fields
Coordinating monthly panels of graduates from the UCSD Neuro Grad program who now work in a variety of career paths, inviting students to meet and discuss various career options with experts in those fields.

UCSD Academic Connections, July 2016
Lecturer

Gave a lectured titled Glorious Glia: The Brain’s Entourage for the course called Neuroscience: From Brain to Behaviors, an immersive three-week summer class in neuroscience for high school students from across the country

Social Media for Campus Researchers and Faculty, April 2016
Speaker

Gave a talk titled “Using YouTube to Communicate Science”, discussing how science communication through YouTube has benefited my work as a scientist

Fleet Science Center, San Diego, CA, September 2014-June 2015
Gallery Facilitator for Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code

Helping the public connect with science by providing support, information, and demonstrations for Fleet Center patrons as they experience the traveling Genome exhibition
Leading in-center demos to highlight relevant scientific concepts and participation in outreach events such as the San Diego Science and Engineering Festival

UCSD Neuro Grad Journal Club, San Diego, CA, October 2014-May 2015
Teaching Assistant

Organizing and hosting weekly presentations by student speakers for the UCSD Neurosciences community on the research to be presented by guest seminar speakers