Shawna Williams

Shawna Williams

Shawna joined The Scientist in 2017 and is now a senior editor and interim news 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. As interim news editor, Shawna assigns, edits, and sometimes reports breaking news, opinion articles, and in-depth features for the website.

Articles by Shawna Williams
Darby Saxbe Digs into Relationships’ Effects on Human Biology
Darby Saxbe Digs into Relationships’ Effects on Human Biology
Shawna Williams | Aug 1, 2021
In her current work, the University of Southern California psychologist is examining how the transition to fatherhood affects men’s brains.
CDC Warns of Person-to-Person Transmission of Resistant Fungus
CDC Warns of Person-to-Person Transmission of Resistant Fungus
Shawna Williams | Jul 26, 2021
In a first, patients who hadn’t been treated with antifungals were found to carry Candida auris impervious to all three available classes of the drugs.
Maria Leptin Appointed President of European Research Council
Maria Leptin Appointed President of European Research Council
Shawna Williams | Jul 7, 2021
The funding agency for basic research had been led by an interim president for more than a year.
Izzy Jayasinghe Harnesses Cutting-Edge Microscopy to Image Cells
Izzy Jayasinghe Harnesses Cutting-Edge Microscopy to Image Cells
Shawna Williams | Jul 1, 2021
The University of Sheffield researcher devises new protocols to gain molecular-level insights.
The Researchers Who Pivoted to COVID-19: One Year On
The Researchers Who Pivoted to COVID-19: One Year On
Shawna Williams | Jul 1, 2021
The Scientist checks in on scientists who switched gears to combat the pandemic.
<em>Wolbachia</em>-Infected Mosquitoes Stymie Dengue&rsquo;s Spread: Study
Wolbachia-Infected Mosquitoes Stymie Dengue’s Spread: Study
Shawna Williams | Jun 10, 2021
Randomized, controlled research conducted in an Indonesian city confirms the reduction in cases seen with previous observational work.
BioHub Network Aims to Advance Sharing of Pathogens for Research
BioHub Network Aims to Advance Sharing of Pathogens for Research
Shawna Williams | Jun 6, 2021
The World Health Organization–led program will promote equity in addition to facilitating access to samples, a WHO official involved in the project tells The Scientist.
Sailing the Seas in Search of Microbes
Sailing the Seas in Search of Microbes
Shawna Williams | Jun 1, 2021
Projects aimed at collecting big data about the ocean’s tiniest life forms continue to expand our view of the seas.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Is Poised for a Makeover
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Is Poised for a Makeover
Shawna Williams | Jun 1, 2021
With multiple microbiota therapeutics in the pipeline for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection, clinicians foresee a shift in treatment options for the condition.
Elisabeth Bik Faces Legal Action After Criticizing Studies
Elisabeth Bik Faces Legal Action After Criticizing Studies
Shawna Williams | May 28, 2021
A complaint lodged by researchers in France prompts two petitions supporting Bik’s whistleblowing work.