About

I’m a freelance science journalist who writes about research in biomedical and life sciences. I began writing about science while researching immune cells, bacteria, and autoimmune disease as a graduate student. By the time I earned my PhD in microbiology and immunology, I realized how much I loved explaining insights from my work in a way that everyone can understand.

As an intern for Nature Medicine and The Scientist Magazine, I reported on controversies in cancer therapy, repurposing drugs for tuberculosis, maternal vaccine trials, emerging infectious diseases, novel vaccine designs, neuroimmunology, and more.

As a freelancer, I focus on writing features that get to the science behind the headlines, educate readers about what’s known, and tell stories about the researchers who want to know more. I’ve been a regular contributor for Nature Medicine, The Scientist, and Nature Outlook. I’ve also written for NPR Shots, The New York Times Parenting, Knowable Magazine, Science News, Everyday Health, and PBS Nova Next.

Journalism has broadened my appreciation of science, plunging me into the neuroscience behind the “concussion disease” CTE, the unexpected but vital role of the immune system in radiation oncology, the challenges of immune rejection after face transplants, how genomics has impacted families touched by rare diseases, the history of mRNA vaccines, and much much more.

Of all the areas of science I cover, I’ll always have a special fondness for writing about the immune system, a force that touches every part of human health and disease. Read about it on my blog archive, immYOUnology.

Email: amanda@amandabkeener.com ꞏ Downloadable portfolio ꞏ Follow me on Bluesky ꞏ View my resume

Photo by Evaro Photography

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