Telling stories about USC research breakthroughs.

Develop and implement strategic media relations campaigns to publicize the faculty, patients, medical students and donors of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, with a strong emphasis on breaking research and clinical advances. Clients include UCLA's Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA Neurology and UCLA's Center for Autism Research and Treatment, the Cannabis Research Initiative and faculty in genetics, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and psychiatry. Duties include writing about hard science for a lay audience, finding and writing compelling feature stories, building relationships with faculty and journalists, pitching to top-tier media outlets, writing content for external and internal audiences. I respond quickly to incoming media queries, assess value to faculty and institution and provide logistical support for national network film shoots.

Spokesperson for state agency that licenses doctors and investigates consumer complaints. Responded to a high volume of queries and public information requests from local and national media; used required knowledge of Texas Medical Practice Act and Open Records law. Responsible for agency news releases, opinion pieces and letters to the editor. Facilitated press coverage of Texas Medical Board's crackdown on illegal pain clinics, as well as the agency's suspension of the medical license of Michael Jackson's personal physician. Launched Constant Contact news email with 50,000 subscribers in the medical profession. Published agency newsletter with Adobe Creative Suite. Led redesign of agency website. Provided media coaching to Board members.

Reporter and editor covering health and medicine, with a specialty in infectious disease and public health. Edited peers in breaking-news situations. Cultivated high-level sources. Worked closely with media relations at medical schools and city, county and state health departments. News stories about pediatric AIDS treatment in Romania led to expansion of program into southern Africa. Honors include:• Harvard Medical School. AIDS vaccine progress, Case Fellowship, 2006.• Kaiser Family Foundation. Studied 30% HIV rate, South Africa, 2000.• Texas Headliners Foundation. First Place, medical reporting, 2000.

Chronicled a heart transplant, starting with the harvest of the organ in a West Texas hospital, to the recipient’s description of the new heart beating in his chest. Followed anonymous tip to break story of unusual number of fatalities from group B strep. Participated in three-week infectious disease fellowship at the National Institutes of Health awarded by the Knight Center for Specialized Journalism.

Edited and managed all copy from 15-20 writers for daily life and arts section.