The Scientist’s 2017 Gift Guide

‘Tis the season to be sciency.

Written byShawna Williams

| 2 min read

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ISTOCK, MEJNAKClimate change mug

climate change mug Know someone who’d enjoy contemplating the consequences of climate change over a cup of tea? This is the mug for him. As it warms up, sea levels rise on a map of the world, swallowing coastal cities and landmasses such as Florida. Available for $14 from the Unemployed Philosophers Guild.

A good read

This year’s crop of new science books includes Jennifer Doudna and Stephen Sternberg’s account of the CRISPR discovery and its import, A Crack in Creation: Gene Editing and the Unthinkable Power to Control Evolution. Another pick: Big Chicken, journalist Maryn McKenna’s deep dive into industrial agriculture, antibiotics, and the modern diet. Or if a coloring book is more your recipient’s speed, she might enjoy the Microbiology Society’s Multicolored Microbiomes.

Cell cookie cutters

It’s the gift your whole lab can enjoy: cookies shaped like cells. Available in human and plant iterations, these cookie cutters’ surprisingly detailed depictions of cellular contents are reminiscent of high school biology textbooks. Starting at $17, from Bakerology.

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Meet the Author

Shawna Williams
Shawna was an editor at The Scientist from 2017 through 2022. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Colorado College and a graduate certificate in 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 news director, Shawna assigned and edited news, opinion, and in-depth feature articles for the website on all aspects of the life sciences. She is based in central Washington State, and is a member of the Northwest Science Writers Association and the National Association of Science Writers.
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