abby olena

Abby Olena, PhD

As a freelancer for The Scientist, Abby reports on new developments in life science for the website. She has a PhD from Vanderbilt University and got her start in science journalism as the Chicago Tribune’s AAAS Mass Media Fellow in 2013. Following a stint as an intern for The Scientist, Abby was a postdoc in science communication at Duke University, where she developed and taught courses to help scientists share their research. In addition to her work as a science journalist, she leads science writing and communication workshops and co-produces a conversational podcast. She is based in Alabama.

Articles by Abby Olena, PhD

A section of a mouse distal colon showing luminal contents with bacteria in magenta, the mucus lining (green) and the epithelial cell barrier of the gut (blue, right).

Mapping the Neighborhoods of the Gut Microbiome

Abby Olena, PhD | | 7 min read

Photo of lab-grown chicken from Eat Just, Inc.

Cultured Meat Advances Toward the Market

Abby Olena, PhD | | 8 min read

An illustration shows circular red blood cells running into a yellow cholesterol blockage in a transverse section of an artery on a blue and purple background

Genetic Variant Discovered in Amish Protects from Heart Disease

Abby Olena, PhD | | 3 min read

Illustration of an African lungfish encased in a cocoon, highlighting immune defense mechanisms during estivation.

Lungfish Cocoon: A Living Barrier Against Infection During Estivation

Abby Olena, PhD | | 4 min read

Rounded red and green fluorescent cells are visible on a light and dark gray background

Neurons Firing Together Generate Spontaneous Pain

Abby Olena, PhD | | 4 min read

A black and brown ant stands over various sizes of whitish purple, oval shaped larvae and yellow, oblong eggs

A Single Transcription Factor Changes Ants to Queens

Abby Olena, PhD | | 3 min read

An artist's rendition of an RNA molecule in light blue on a dark blue background

Same RNA Acts in Neurodegeneration and Cancer

Abby Olena, PhD | | 3 min read

Red blood cells are pictured in grayscale on a gray background

Red Blood Cells Activate Innate Immune System

Abby Olena, PhD | | 4 min read

The head of a tadpole is pictured. Its eye is black, but the rest of its head is various shades of green

Scientists Use Photosynthesis to Power an Animal’s Brain

Abby Olena, PhD | | 3 min read

A brown tick is shown from above as it climbs a green blade of grass

Bacterial Symbionts Tell Ticks When to Eat

Abby Olena, PhD | | 3 min read

A view of the nucleus of a cell with DNA in blue, RNA in pink, and associated proteins in yellow and purple

DNA Methylation Influences Replication and Genome Organization

Abby Olena, PhD | | 3 min read

One white mouse with red eyes runs on a blue exercise wheel, while another mouse stands with front paws on the wheel

Serious Infections Linked to Autism: Study

Abby Olena, PhD | | 5 min read

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Image of a man in a laboratory looking frustrated with his failed experiment.

February 2026

A Stubborn Gene, a Failed Experiment, and a New Path

When experiments refuse to cooperate, you try again and again. For Rafael Najmanovich, the setbacks ultimately pushed him in a new direction.

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Human-Relevant In Vitro Models Enable Predictive Drug Discovery

Advancing Drug Discovery with Complex Human In Vitro Models

In this half-day virtual summit, a series of presentations will explore the scientific, regulatory, and operational factors impacting the use of in vitro NAMs in drug discovery.

Redefining Immunology Through Advanced Technologies

Redefining Immunology Through Advanced Technologies

In this webinar, scientists will discuss innovations that are unlocking new insights into immunity.

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance in AAV Manufacturing with Analytical Ultracentrifugation

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance in AAV Manufacturing with Analytical Ultracentrifugation

In this webinar, Magdalena Pacewicz will highlight how to use AUC to characterize AAVs as part of ensuring regulatory compliance.

Conceptual multicolored vector image of cancer research, depicting various biomedical approaches to cancer therapy

Maximizing Cancer Research Model Systems

Discover how the latest cancer research models and their applications help scientists pursue breakthrough cancer therapy research.

Products

Product News

Sino Biological Pioneers Life Sciences Innovation with High-Quality Bioreagents on Inside Business Today with Bill and Guiliana Rancic

Chief Business Officer Dr. Rob Burgess Shares How Sino Biological Is Empowering Global Biomedical Research Through Precision, Quality, and Innovation on an Exclusive Segment on Fox Business Network airing on February 1, 2026 at 4:30pm EST

Sino Biological Expands Research Reagent Portfolio to Support Global Nipah Virus Vaccine and Diagnostic Development

Sino Biological, Inc. has announced the accelerated availability and development of critical research tools to support the global scientific community in combating NiV.

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences Partners with Automata to Accelerate AI-Ready Laboratory Automation

Collaboration will bring next generation orchestration and modular automation to scientists worldwide

Refeyn named in the Sunday Times 100 Tech list of the UK’s fastest-growing technology companies

The ranking places Refeyn among a cohort of high-growth UK technology firms spanning sectors including the life sciences, energy and sustainability, telecommunications, and digital technology.