Ryder Diaz

Ryder Diaz is a journalist who specializes in science.

He has produced stories for KQED Public Radio, The San Jose Mercury News, Inside Science News Service, The Salinas Californian, Aspen Public Radio and KDVS. He has blogged at Out of the Fog.

Ryder is an alum of the Science Communication Program at the University of California, Santa Cruz, a former Mass Media Science and Technology Fellow with the AAAS, and a former Kaiser Family Foundation Intern in Health Reporting.

He earned a master's degree in population biology from the University of California, Davis. And degrees in gender and sexuality studies and metropolitan studies from New York University.

Email: ryder.diaz [at] gmail.com

Twitter: @RyderKDiaz

Audio and Video
Writing
LinkedIn
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Audio and Video

Audio and Video
- Selected stories:
  
  2013
  September 13 - The Why Files, VIDEO: UC Santa Cruz scientists are finding high levels of toxic mercury in elephant seals.
  August 30 - KQED's The California Report: What's Your Story? Why a Transgender Woman Helps the Incarcerated
  July 26 - KQED's The California Report: Undocumented Immigrants Left Out of Health Reform
  AUDIO SLIDESHOW: UC Berkeley biologist, Lauren Esposito is on a quest to collect every scorpion in the Caribbean.
  
  2012
  August 13 - Aspen Public Radio : Chido Govera talks about how mushrooms can help orphans
  
  August 13 - Aspen Public Radio : Mushroom hunters celebrate recent rain storms
  
  August 7 - Aspen Public Radio : Barefoot runners take to the road
  August 3 - Aspen Public Radio : DNA and the future of medicine
  July 31 - Aspen Public Radio : Being generous could make you happier
  July 23 - Aspen Public Radio : Moths swarm the valley
  July 18 - Aspen Public Radio : Building a smarter brain
  July 9 - Aspen Public Radio : Hummingbirds missing flowers due to climate change
  July 6 - Aspen Public Radio : Wildfires adding to global warming
  July 5 - Aspen Public Radio : Aspen physicists celebrate a new particle
  July 3 - Aspen Public Radio : Wildfire smoke causes breathing problems
  June 27 - Aspen Public Radio : Changing climate driving wildfires
  June 25 - Aspen Public Radio : Drought worries Colorado ranchers
  June 21 - Aspen Public Radio : Colorado water users lease water rights to Not-for-Profit
  June 19 - Aspen Public Radio : Wildfire smoke threatens health of firefighters and public
  June, 13 - Aspen Public Radio : ‘Wind shear’ alleged cause of airport crash
  June 12 - Aspen Public Radio : Invasive mussels threaten Colorado waters
  January 9 - Local Dirt Radio, KDVS : A darker shade of green?: Solar energy in the Mojave
  2011
  August 29 - Local Dirt Radio, KDVS : Raptor rapture
Writing

Writing
- Selected stories:
  
  2013
  
  Science Notes Feature - At a Snail's Pace: Scientists struggle to bring white abalone back from the brink of extinction, but time is running out
  
  KQED's State of Health Blog, Can Air Pollution Cause Asthma in Kids? How About Autism?, June 21
  
  KQED's State of Health Blog, Despite Promises, Key Autism Therapy Cut from Medi-Cal, June 18
  
  Inside Science News Service, GPS 'Junk' Data Reveals Volcanic Plumes, May 29 [Reprinted in Scientific American]
  
  Inside Science News Service, Breast-milk protein may help defeat antibiotic-resistant bacteria, May 1 [Reprinted in Real Clear Science]
  
  Inside Science News Service, 'Nanosponges' sop up bloodstream toxins, April 25 [Reprinted in Live Science]
  
  San Jose Mercury News, Argentine ants march through Bay Area, March 12 [Reprinted in Contra Costa Times]
  
  San Jose Mercury News, Veterinarian Melissa Miller runs a sea otter CSI at UCSC's Long Marine Lab, February 2 [Reprinted in Santa Cruz Sentinel]
  
  San Jose Mercury News, Health care limits leave some UC students with few options, January 26 [Reprinted in Santa Cruz Sentinel,
  Contra Costa Times]
  
  San Jose Mercury News, New material could help repair damaged cartilage, January 10 [Reprinted in Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times]
  
  2012
  
  Geospace, Tsunamis in the sky, December 6
  
  Mongabay.com, A new way to rescue Africa's struggling soils: Plant perennials with crops November 20
  
  Out of the Fog, Can non-native birds save plants from extinction? November 19
  
  The Californian, New method kills E. coli with sound December 2
Info

Info

Profile
- Ryder Diaz
  
  Reporter and Producer
  
  Media Production | San Francisco Bay Area, US
  
  Experience
  - Sept 2013 - Present
    Reporter and Producer / KQED
    
    Reporter and producer for The California Report’s series “What’s Your Story?” which highlights first-person narratives on health-related topics.
  - Jun 2013 - Aug 2013
    Kaiser Family Foundation Intern in Health Reporting / KQED
    
    Report health stories for KQED’s State of Health blog and write breaking news scripts for radio.
  - Mar 2013 - Jun 2013
    Editorial Intern / Inside Science News Service
    
    Reported on research from scientific journals for this science wire service. My work was published on websites such as Scientific American, RealClearScience, and LiveScience.
  - Jan 2013 - Mar 2013
    Editorial Intern / San Jose Mercury News
    
    Reporter on the metro desk with a focus on science and health. Also assisted reporters with non-science breaking news stories.
  - Sept 2012 - Dec 2012
    Editorial Intern / The Salinas Californian
    
    General reporter for a local newspaper. Wrote breaking news articles and features on stories that ranged from crime and human interest to science and technology.
  - Sept 2009 - Sept 2012
    Graduate Student / University of California, Davis
    
    Studied native California solitary bees and their associated yeast and bacteria.
    Advisors: Dr. Sharon Strauss, Department of Ecology and Evolution and Dr. Neal Williams, Department of Entomology.
  - Jun 2012 - Aug 2012
    AAAS Mass Media Science and Technology Fellow / AAAS
    
    Science journalist at Aspen Public Radio (Aspen, CO).
    
    Reported on local and regional science news for NPR affiliate. Conducted interviews in the field and over the phone. Produced short news pieces and longer features for daily news and a weekly news magazine.
  - Aug 2011 - May 2012
    Content Contributor / KDVS 90.3 FM, University of California, Davis
    
    Produced feature stories focusing on UC Davis science and scientists for a community-run radio station. Became proficient in the use of production software and professional recording equipment.
  - Jun 2009 - Aug 2009
    Research Assistant / Dartmouth College
    
    Investigated the effects of invasive plants on floral community composition. Collected plant diversity and abundance data in long-term, experimental plots.
  - Feb 2009 - Jun 2009
    Research Assistant / University of Massachusetts Amherst
    
    Studied how urbanization affects a plant and pollinator partnership.
  - Aug 2008 - Dec 2008
    Research Assistant / San Francisco State University
    
    Systematically collected, identified, and cataloged arthropods surrounding the California Academy of Sciences to assess community similarity with arthropods on the “living roof.”
  - Jun 2008 - Aug 2008
    REU Research Intern / Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory
    
    Examined parasites inhabiting the guts of bumblebees.
    Mentor: Dr. Rebecca Irwin, Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College.
  - Jan 2008 - May 2008
    Math and Science Tutor / San Francisco State University
    
    Translated math and science topics to undergraduates and developed students’ critical thinking skills.
  - Jan 2008 - May 2008
    Administrative Assistant / Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training
    
    Maintained the subscription database for the monthly Grassroots Fundraising Journal as well as the organization's online webstore. Processed invoices, payments and donations. Participated in the creation and implementation of donor solicitation mailings.
  - Jan 2004 - Nov 2007
    Grassroots Fundraising Coordinator / Sylvia Rivera Law Project
    
    Developed and directed grassroots fundraising program, and more than doubled the number of individual donors. Organized 3+ annual fundraising events that leveraged approximately $50,000. Expanded organizational fundraising plan and budget and maintained detailed financial records. Designed and edited biannual newsletter, coordinated mailings, distributed SRLP’s documentary film, managed fundraising database, and supervised interns. Spoke publicly in numerous venues and coordinated nationwide trainings.
  - Jun 2007 - Aug 2007
    REU Research Intern / Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
    
    Studied the response of aquatic invertebrates to the introduction of an invasive aquatic plant.
    Mentor: Dr. Stuart Findlay, Senior Ecologist.
  - Sept 2006 - Nov 2006
    Project Safe Flight Intern / New York City Audubon Society
    
    Assembled and organized daily data on bird collisions with buildings in New York City.
  - Aug 2004 - Jun 2005
    Community Technology Center Assistant Coordinator / Grand Street Settlement
    
    Developed and taught lessons focused on promoting literacy through technology for middle- and high-school students.
  - Jun 2004 - Aug 2004
    Youth Intern in Community Organizing / Queers for Economic Justice
    
    Conducted weekly groups for LGBT residents in NYC shelters and trained volunteers on meeting facilitation. Participated in base-building and needs assessment.
  - Sept 2000 - May 2003
    Tutor / America Reads America Counts
    
    Instructed and tutored 1st and 2nd grade students in basic literacy and math, in large and small groups.
  Education
  - 2012 - 2013
    
    University of California, Santa Cruz
    
    Graduate Certificate in Science Communication
    Activities: American Association for the Advancement of Science, Entomological Society of America, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, National Association of Science Writers, SACNAS
  - 2009 - 2011
    
    University of California, Davis
    
    Master of Science in Population Biology
    Activities: Entomological Society of America, SACNAS, AAAS, National Association of Science Writers
  - 2008 - 2008
    
    San Francisco State University
    
    Post-Baccalaureate Program in Zoology
    Activities: NIH Minority Access to Research Careers Honors Program
  - 2006 - 2007
    
    City University of New York
    
    Post-Baccalaureate Program in Biology
  - 2000 - 2004
    
    New York University
    
    Bachelor of Arts in Gender & Sexuality Studies and Metropolitan Studies
    Activities: Habitat for Humanity at NYU
  Additional Information
  - Websites:
    
    Personal Website, Blog
  - Honors:
    
    • Center for Population Biology Travel Award, 2011 • Center for Population Biology Research Award, 2011 • Center for Population Biology Research Award, 2010 • National Science Foundation GRFP, 2010 • Ford Foundation Predoctoral Diversity Fellowship, 2009 • San Francisco State University Biology-IRA Research Grant, 2008 • NIH Minority Access to Research Careers Honors Fellow, 2008 • magna cum laude, 2004 • NYU College of Arts and Sciences Scholarship, 2000 – 2004 • Union Plus Scholarship, 2000