Award-winning science journalist, microbiologist, and author Bryn Nelson to speak at Rachel Carson Lecture

PLU’s College of Natural Sciences is excited for Bryn Nelson to deliver “From Revolting to Revolutionary: How Poop Has Transformed Science and Reshaped the World,” the 2024 Rachel Carson Science, Technology and Society Lecture, on February 21 at 7:00 P.M. in the Anderson University Center at PLU.

Drawing on his background as a former microbiologist with expertise in bacterial biochemistry from the University of Washington, Nelson seamlessly integrates insights from biology, biomedicine, ecology, green technology, and unconventional travel destinations. 

The Seattle-based freelance writer and editor is an award-winning science journalist, microbiologist, and author of Flush: The Remarkable Science of an Unlikely Treasure. As a science writer at Newsday from 2000 to 2007, Nelson wrote frequently about the Human Genome Project, gene therapy, stem cell research, conservation, global warming, ecology, and the West Nile virus. As a freelance writer, Nelson has written for the New York Times, Wired, Scientific American, CNN Travel, Nature, New Scientist, The Guardian, ENSIA, and bioGraphic.

Among his awards, he won first place in the Association of Health Care Journalists Awards for “Saving Bobby,” a long-form feature about the race to save a toddler after his father accidentally ran over his head.

Nelson also edited two chapters on microbiology and food safety for the bestselling six-volume Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking (The Cooking Lab) and contributed a chapter to The Science Writers’ Handbook (Da Capo).

Supported by a generous endowment from George L. and Helen B. Long, the Rachel Carson Science, Technology & Society Lecture brings leading experts in the fields of science and technology to campus to address the PLU community. Visiting scholars interact with PLU students and faculty in the classroom and lecture on a scholarly topic of general interest in the evening.

Before the lecture, PLU will host a community dinner at 5:30 pm. The cost will be $10.00 per person. Join members of the PLU community for soup, crusty bread, beverages and a dessert. The lecture is free and open to the public, and there will be a Q&A session and a book signing following the lecture. Visit PLU Natural Sciences for more information and to register for the dinner.