Why I do #SciComm

​While pursuing a Master’s Degree at SFSU, I cringed at every instance I had when writing and communicating my research. After discovering my peer-reviewers had shed tears of pain through every gahdamn line of my abstract, I realized that I was officially the worst writer in my book. Even worster, my seminar audience seemed to have popped a communal sleeping pill during every scientific talk I hosted. So, I was not only a bad writer—but a bad communicator in general. However, I did learn valuable skills in Scientific Writing. But even then, I still considered myself bad. BUT—I soon realized that it was not in spite of this, rather— because of this my passion for science communication ignited. I’ve come to enjoy the feeling of infancy, which can translate into something like learning new skills and being the ‘newbie’ in a given field.

My name is Criszel and I am constantly challenging my identity of “Criszel the bad communicator” and excuse me for repeating 'bad'.. I just hope the lessons I carry as an active member of #SciComm will transform me into “Criszel the bad-ass communicator”. With this new identity I strive to make science accessible, exciting, and relatable to all types of audiences on the internet!

So, whether or not you are convinced that the #SciComm community is as Big Sean say’s “making moves” and our public engagement is equally important as the work done at the bench, definitely read on!

As you can imagine, the internet is LEADING SOURCE for scientific news and information in the U.S. In fact, 81% of the population is on some form of social media. These users depend on sources like blogs and media platforms for information rather than journal literature (Kahle, Sharon & Baram-Tsabari, 2016; Brossard, 2013). The ability for social media to enhance human connection has considerably allowed communicators to easily reach individuals. To me, it seems like social media is the most EFFICIENT and EFFECTIVE way to influence the masses. Who doesn’t want the easiest way to change the world? With that being said, social media has delivered information and made science accessible to a diverse blend of citizens and that brings forth a duty we have as scientists to utililze #SciComm, continually engage the public, and make smalls steps towards a BIG change.

My initial success at Science Communication was a result from creating video-content for the Center for Cellular Construction (CCC). As a CCC scholar, I was initially driven out of gratitude to give back to the organization and community that made me into the developing scientist that I never knew possible. After realizing that lacking self-efficacy was the limiting factor towards my initial pursuit towards a scientific career, I gained inspiration to highlight stories of senior and graduate researchers to share their struggles and to reveal that no one is ever—alone. As a society, we almost always highlight our successes, but how about highlight failures instead—and share how we overcame them. Its crazy how reading a simple line or watching a short video can change your life as it did mine. So, I hope to do the same with future content that I create. I wish to utilize youtube to shape public perceptions of scientific stereotypes associated to certain individuals. To manipulate the face of a “typical scientist” and portray diversity in age, ethnicity, appearance, and gender. To project the essence of what it truly means to be a scientist. To inspire minorities, women and young individuals to pursue a career in science. And to send a message that the hardships experienced can be joyfully embraced along your journey as a scientist.

Yours truly,

Crizzy the “future badass communicator” Corpuz

aka

Cris(cell) the molecular benchologist.