Shawna Williams

Shawna Williams

Shawna joined The Scientist in 2017 and is now a senior editor. She holds a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Colorado College and a graduate certificate and science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Previously, she worked as a freelance editor and writer, and in the communications offices of several academic research institutions. Shawna oversees The Scientist's social media channels and edits the Modus Operandi, Literature, and Foundations sections of the magazine.

Articles by Shawna Williams
Initiative Recruits Scientist-Volunteers to Aid COVID-19 Research
Initiative Recruits Scientist-Volunteers to Aid COVID-19 Research
Shawna Williams | Jul 6, 2020
Born of researchers’ frustration with not being able to contribute during the pandemic, Crowdfight COVID-19 has matched hundreds of SARS-CoV-2 projects with people who can help.
Coronavirus-Infected Cells Grow Filopodia
Coronavirus-Infected Cells Grow Filopodia
Shawna Williams | Jun 30, 2020
SARS-CoV-2 causes cells to put out projections that spread the virus, a study finds.
Females Gain Ground as Biomedical Research Subjects
Females Gain Ground as Biomedical Research Subjects
Shawna Williams | Jun 9, 2020
A study finds improvement in the proportion of scientific projects that include both sexes, but analyzing results by sex is not routine.
Timeline: Human Coronavirus Discoveries
Timeline: Human Coronavirus Discoveries
Shawna Williams | Jun 4, 2020
Download our poster of the biggest milestones, from the discovery of the viral family in humans in the 1960s to the identification of SARS-CoV-2.
A Brief History of Human Coronaviruses
A Brief History of Human Coronaviruses
Shawna Williams | Jun 2, 2020
Milder, cold-causing members of this pathogenic viral family long remained under the radar, although they aren’t entirely harmless.
How Squirrels Use Bird Chatter to Assess Safety
How Squirrels Use Bird Chatter to Assess Safety
Shawna Williams | Jun 1, 2020
An undergraduate research project finds the animals are tuned in to reassuring information from other species.
SARS-CoV-2–Fighting T Cells Found in Recovered Patients
SARS-CoV-2–Fighting T Cells Found in Recovered Patients
Shawna Williams | May 15, 2020
While the finding doesn’t prove people become immune to the virus after infection, it is good news for vaccine development.
Support for Vaccine Challenge Trials Gains Momentum
Support for Vaccine Challenge Trials Gains Momentum
Shawna Williams | May 11, 2020
The idea of deliberately infecting volunteers with SARS-CoV-2 has garnered significant attention as a potential avenue to speedier development, as the World Health Organization weighs in with recommendations.
Researchers Try to Head Off “Murder Hornets” Coming into US
Researchers Try to Head Off “Murder Hornets” Coming into US
Shawna Williams | May 4, 2020
Asian giant hornets were found for the first time in Washington State and could reemerge in the spring.
NIH Cancels Funding for Bat Coronavirus Research Project
NIH Cancels Funding for Bat Coronavirus Research Project
Shawna Williams | Apr 28, 2020
The abrupt termination comes after the research drew President Trump’s attention for its ties to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.