Laura Tran, PhD

Laura Tran, PhD

Associate Editor, Content & Newsletters at The Scientist

Laura Tran is an Associate Editor, Content & Newsletters at The Scientist. She has a background in microbiology. Laura earned her PhD in integrated biomedical sciences from Rush University, studying how circadian rhythms and alcohol impact the gut. While completing her studies, she wrote for the Chicago Council on Science and Technology and participated in ComSciCon Chicago in 2022. In 2023, Laura became a science communication fellow with OMSI, continuing her passion for accessible science storytelling.

Articles by Laura Tran, PhD

Image of various agar plates of different colors with different images growing on the surface.

Scientists Make Agar Art Accessible to Students

Image of multiple, orange-colored mitochondria against a dark blue background.

Mitochondrial Fission Can Boost Antimicrobial Defenses

Image of an abstract visualization of a digital terrain. Glowing particles and lines represent data flow and network connections over a blue, futuristic surface.

From Data to Discovery: AI’s Expanding Role in Cancer Research

A dark-field microscopy image with golden particles that resemble a seahorse.

In Search for Nanoparticles, A Researcher Strikes Gold

Image of a person with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis working with an alphabet puzzle for memory and coordination skills.

2026 Breakthrough Prize Recognizes the Shared Genetic Cause of ALS and FTD

Image of various packets of both artificial and natural sweeteners on a table.

Artificial Sweeteners Leave a Multigenerational Mark on the Gut and Genes

Combined image of all sections through a neurobot, showing multiciliated cells on the surface and neurons in the center.

Neurobots: Biological Robots with A Simple Nervous System

Image of two male figures sitting at a café table. The older figure on the left expresses support through a handshake within a speech bubble. He holds a cup of tea in his hands. Across from him is a younger student figure, who seems dejected. There is a slice of cake between them.

Epic Fail: The Sweet Side of Scientific Failure

Image of a blue spaceship in space.

EVE Online Gamers Tackle Flow Cytometry Data in Space

Image of Muunda Mudenda working in a biosafety hood. He holds a micropipette in his hand with a look of horror on his face as he realizes that he accidentally added the wrong reagent to his samples.

Epic Fail: From Reagent Regret to Sample Rescue

Image of a liver outline with white outlines of the gallbladder, ducts, and veins behind the liver.

BiliSeq: A Molecular Test that Improves Bile Duct Cancer Detection

Image of a circular logo. A woman’s side profile dominates the right side of the circle, while the innermost section depicts colorful illustrations of microbes. The text wrapping around the logo says, “The Dessert that Changed the World.”

Reviving a Forgotten Microbiology Heroine in a Graphic Novel

The Scientist October Digest cover
October 2026

Antarctica’s Blood Falls Teems With Mysterious Microbial Life

Miles away from the closest ocean, marine microbes thrive in the red ice and mud around Blood Falls, offering clues to microbial adaptation and past climate events.

View this Issue

Research Resources

Podcasts

Webinars

Videos

Infographics

eBooks

Find better biologics faster with Stunner and the AI Developability Workcell

Find better biologics faster with Stunner and the AI Developability Workcell

Unchained Labs
An image of microcentrifuge tubes arranged within colorful laboratory racks.

Choose clarity. Choose speed. Choose MyMass™

Refeyn
Characterizing LNP Heterogeneity With Super-Resolution Imaging

Characterizing LNP Heterogeneity With Super-Resolution Imaging

Oni
Conceptual multicolored image of DNA helices.

Exploring the Most Impactful CRISPR Stories

Promega

Products

Product News

A monoclonal antibody surrounded by immune cells and red blood cells

CellRaft AIR: Find the Right Antibody-Producing Cells Faster

Cell Microsystems
Maxwell® Rapid ccfDNA Kit

Maxwell® Rapid ccfDNA Kit: Automated Purification of ccfDNA in Under 30 Minutes

Promega
Leica Biosystems, Tempus, and Paige logos side by side, marking the addition of Paige digital pathology AI tools to the Aperio AI Store.

Oncology Researchers Gain AI Cancer Tools in One Platform

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences Logo

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences Launches Vi-CELL BLU 2.0 Software to Advance Data Integrity and GMP Readiness in Cell Analysis