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Martha Downs
266 Willow Street | Mansfield, MA 02048 | 617-833-7930
[email protected] | http://martydowns.com
CAREER SUMMARY
As a research development and science communication professional, I draw on both my work as a
journalist and 14 years of hands-on scientific research experience. I am most effective at translating
research and building collaborations between researchers, practitioners and policymakers, especially in
the fields of environment and public health. With experience in NGO, government and academic sectors,
I excel at leading through influence and navigating matrix organizations.
EXPERIENCE
INDEPENDENT SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR, Mansfield, MA
Self-Employed, 2015 - present
As an independent science communicator, I conceive, pitch, write and edit articles, web site content,
proposals and strategy documents and advise clients on communication strategy.
Clients include Stanford University’s Leopold Leadership Program and Tufts Institute of the
Environment.
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, Arlington, VA (Telecommuting from Mansfield, MA)
Associate Director, Science Communications, 2013-2014
The Nature Conservancy’s five-person science communications team works to raise the profile of the
organization’s nearly 600 scientists working in 50 states and over 35 countries.
Responsibilities: Trained and coached Nature Conservancy scientists in science communications through
the Science Impact Project, a professional development program to enhance the reach and
effectiveness of Nature Conservancy research. Developed training curriculum. Identified, vetted,
hired and managed trainers. Recruited science mentors and established project benchmarks. Wrote,
coordinated and managed outreach for research content on the Conservancy’s daily science blog.
Results: Recruited and trained first international class of Science Impact Project Fellows. Secured
$600,000 in continued funding from Anne Ray Charitable Trust. Established a steady flow of highquality research coverage. Launched new interview series with external conservation scientists.
BROWN UNIVERSITY, Providence, RI
Assistant/Associate Director, Environmental Change Initiative 2007-2014
Brown University’s Environmental Change Initiative fosters and promotes interdisciplinary
environmental research across 13 departments and centers. Established in 2005, the Initiative became
a permanent Institute of Brown University in 2014.
Responsibilities: Built research collaborations through networking, communications, seed funding,
working groups and proposal development. Developed web site, promotional materials, listserv and
social media presence. Oversaw events, facilities, IT, and grants management. Managed external
review of program and development of strategic plan. Successfully advocated for improved space.
Represented building users and coordinated with multiple departments throughout design and
construction of a $35M laboratory renovation. Managed $350,000 annual budget, three administrative
staff and seven research staff supporting more than 40 faculty affiliates and their students.
Results: From 2007-2013, the Initiative’s research portfolio grew from $0 to over $8M. Established and
secured endowed funding for interdisciplinary postdoc program ($2.5M) and an undergraduate
fellowship program linking environmental research with conservation practice ($650K). Based on the
strategic plan, the program moved into the newly renovated Building for Environmental Research and
Teaching in December 2013 and Brown University Corporation approved the Institute at Brown for
Environment and Society in February 2014.
BROWN UNIVERSITY, Providence, RI
Media Relations Specialist (Physical Sciences), 2006-2007
Brown’s news office pursues media coverage for hundreds of new research developments each year.
Three media relations specialists (one each for physical, biological and social sciences) promote
university research to regional, national and international media.
Martha Downs
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Responsibilities: Cultivated relationships with scientists and administrators to learn about newsworthy
research. Exercised news judgment. Researched, wrote, edited, illustrated, posted and pitched stories.
Coordinated and staffed media interviews. Made presentations to departments on effective media
outreach. Advised faculty, postdocs and grad students on science communications and engagement.
Results: Placed stories in national and international media outlets, including New York Times,
International Herald Tribune, Technology Review, Red Herring, National Public Radio, and Canadian
Broadcasting Corporation.
BOSTON PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION, City of Boston, MA
Assistant Director of Communications, 2005-2006
The Boston Public Health Commission is the health department for the City of Boston, serving over
600,000 Boston residents. The communications team handles executive communications, web, media
and crisis communications and produces outreach products in collaboration with programs.
Responsibilities: Wrote and distributed press releases, coordinated interviews and developed talking
points for Commissioner of Public Health and other officials. Organized press conferences and
fielded press calls. Developed messaging and outreach plans for three major campaigns —
health disparities, emergency medical volunteer corps and a campaign to improve access to
healthy food and exercise opportunities in Boston neighborhoods. Developed database of ethnic
media outlets and managed small grant program to build ethnic media capacity. Coordinated
emergency outreach to non-English speaking residents during measles outbreak.
Results: Maintained strong relationship with Boston health and medical reporters. Expanded visibility
and reach in minority neighborhoods. Established intake and review system for production of
outreach publications, improving workflow and program satisfaction. Received National Public
Health Information Coalition award for emergency measles podcast and PSA in three languages.
FREELANCE WRITER/EDITOR, Brooklyn, NY and Boston, MA
Self-Employed, 2001-2005
As an independent science writer and producer, I conceived, pitched, wrote and edited news, features,
and web site and publication content for a wide variety of audiences. Advised clients on
communication strategy. Obtained or commissioned graphics. Managed print and web production.
Clients included ScienceNOW, Technology Review, SmallTimes Media, Voices of Innovation, Pulse of
the Planet, Children’s Hospital-Boston, Marine Biological Laboratory, National Kidney Foundation,
Waquoit Bay Estuarine Research Reserve and World Resources Institute.
MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY, Woods Hole, MA
Research Assistant I, II, III and Senior Research Assistant, 1987-1999
The Ecosystems Center is a year-round program of the Marine Biological Laboratory, focusing on
basic ecological research in terrestrial, marine and aquatic ecosystems. My research involved plant
and soil responses to climate change and excess nutrient supply.
Responsibilities: Planned and executed complex research projects at remote field sites in Maine,
Massachusetts, Alaska and Northern Sweden. Established plots and treatments, collected and
analyzed samples, managed large data sets, performed statistical analysis, interpretation and
presentation. Published in professional journals and presented at national conferences. Related
publications available at http://www.researcherid.com/rid/c-3809-2011.
EDUCATION
Boston University, Boston, MA
M.S. in Science Journalism
2000
Includes reporting internships at Atlantic Public Media and The Chronicle of Higher Education
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
B.S. in Natural Resources
1985