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
- Contact
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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.
- 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
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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
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Info
- Exhibit Development Associate at California Academy of SciencesMedia Production | San Francisco Bay Area, USExperience
- Jul 2014 - PresentExhibit Development Associate / California Academy of Sciences
- Apr 2014 - Jul 2014Exhibits Intern / California Academy of Sciences
- Sept 2013 - Jul 2014Health Producer / KQED
Reporter and producer for The California Report’s series “Vital Signs.” The project showcases first-person narratives on health-related topics. Responsible for generating story ideas, locating and interviewing sources, and editing audio. Manage contributing reporters and edit submitted stories. Build out online versions of radio stories with transcripts and photography.
- Jun 2013 - Aug 2013Kaiser 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 2013Editorial Intern / Inside Science News Service
Reported on research from scientific journals for this science wire service. My stories were published on websites such as Scientific American, RealClearScience, and LiveScience.
- Jan 2013 - Mar 2013Editorial Intern / San Jose Mercury News
Reporter on the metro desk with a focus on science and health.
- Sept 2012 - Dec 2012Editorial 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 2012Graduate 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 2012AAAS 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 2012Content 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 2009Research 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 2009Research Assistant / University of Massachusetts Amherst
Studied how urbanization affects a plant and pollinator partnership.
- Aug 2008 - Dec 2008Research 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 2008REU 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 2008Math and Science Tutor / San Francisco State University
Translated math and science topics to undergraduates and developed students’ critical thinking skills.
- Jan 2008 - May 2008Administrative 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 2007Grassroots Fundraising Coordinator / Sylvia Rivera Law Project
Developed and directed grassroots fundraising program, and more than doubled the number of individual donors. Organized 3+ large annual fundraising events. 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 2007REU 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 2006Project 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 2005Community 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 2004Youth 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 2003Tutor / America Reads America Counts
Instructed and tutored 1st and 2nd grade students in basic literacy and math, in large and small groups.
Education-
2012 - 2013University of California, Santa CruzGraduate 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 - 2011University of California, DavisMaster of Science in Population Biology
Activities: Entomological Society of America, SACNAS, AAAS, National Association of Science Writers -
2008 - 2008San Francisco State UniversityPost-Baccalaureate Program in Zoology
Activities: NIH Minority Access to Research Careers Honors Program -
2006 - 2007City University of New YorkPost-Baccalaureate Program in Biology
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2000 - 2004New York UniversityBachelor of Arts in Gender & Sexuality Studies and Metropolitan Studies
Activities: Habitat for Humanity at NYU
Additional Information-
Websites:
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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
