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MEGAN LITWHILER, PHD

Home: Welcome

ABOUT ME

I'm a dedicated scientist, educator, and science communicator, with over ten years of combined experience working and teaching in higher education, and over 6 years of experience as a professional science communicator, science communication trainer, and informal science educator.

 

I also really like eating food and offering unsolicited bird and plant identifications. 

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Here's a little more about my career path...

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...to science: 

Before I was a scientist, I was a first-generation college student working behind a bar, dreaming about studying birds. But I was determined to make that dream come true. I worked my tail off in various restaurants, volunteered at a raptor rehabilitation center, took undergrad courses, and picked up teaching assistant jobs, until finally, I got myself into grad school. In the summer of 2015, I received my PhD in ecology from Rutgers University Newark and the New Jersey Institute of Technology. I studied bird and plant communities that live in abandoned places in the city—places I like to call "urban wildlands."  Dream achieved. 

 

...to science communication:

As a scientist, I'm naturally curious, and I love to talk about all kinds of science, from dinosaurs to quantum physics to climate change. About halfway through my PhD, I started to get involved in outreach for public audiences and something just clicked. Over the next couple of years, I dug my heels into this new science communication thing while juggling my research, teaching, and being a brand new mom. I started a blog, attended outreach and science communication workshops (I'm an alumna of ComSciCon & ComSciCon SciWri), and created a professional development workshop for K12 teachers. I had a series of stumbles and successes along the way, mixed in with a lot of hard work, but it all led to a payoff. After I graduated, I accepted an exciting job offer at the Museum of Science, Boston, where I get to talk about science for a living (#DreamJob). I also train other scientists to be better communicators both inside and outside of academia. Like many people, the pandemic forced my family to make some hard choices, and one was leaving Boston and moving up north. I've now taken a new job at Dartmouth College, but I continue to keep my foot in the door at the Museum of Science, supporting my colleagues on a part-time basis. Still living the dream and grateful for it. 

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I'm always open to new opportunities; I'd love to chat/collaborate/make cool science stuff happen with you. 

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Thanks for reading. 

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Home: About Me

Megan E. (Clock) Litwhiler, PhD | Curriculum Vitae

 

meg.clock@gmail.com | 201-994-9483 | Ludlow, VT

 

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Recent Experience

Dartmouth College | June 2021 - present | Hanover, NH

Title: Program Manager for Advanced Learning Initiatives at the Irving Institute for Energy and Society
 

Museum of Science, Boston | January 2016 - present | Boston, MA

Title: Program Manager, Strategic  Projects | July 2019 - present 

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Partnering directly with scientists to conceptualize, develop, and deliver engaging museum content based on current science and technology research in the form of live lecture presentations, hands-on experiences, special events, podcasts, blog posts, and educator resources.

  • Developing and delivering public outreach and academic science communication training programs for undergraduate REU students, graduate students, post-doctoral, and faculty-level researchers.

  • Managing and mentoring the Strategic Projects Research Communication Associate. 

  • Management of multiple grant-funded concurrent projects: 

    • Seeing that grant obligations/deliverables are met and completed

    • Development, scheduling, organization, and production of events and workshops

    • Volunteer management

    • Database management

    • Purchasing and payment

  • Collaborating with the marketing team to develop and execute publicity campaigns for events and projects through social media and email.

  • Development, analysis, and reporting for project research and  evaluation efforts.

 

Previous title: Research Communications Associate, Strategic  Projects | January 2016 - June 2019

 

Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University | December 2015- March 2016 | Boston, MA

Freelance Plant Database Specialist

Tasks: Identifying and tagging morphological features from photographs of a wide range of plants species for the Harvard Arboretum online plant image database.

 

Education

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PhD, Ecology  and Evolutionary Biology | August  2015 | Federated Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University Newark and The New Jersey Institute of Technology | Newark, NJ 

Advisor: Dr. Claus Holzapfel, Rutgers University 

Thesis title: Attraction and Risk in Urban Bird Habitats

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BA, Psychology | May 2000. Keene State College | Keene, NH

 

Scientific Research Experience

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Field Technician | August  2014 | Rutgers University Newark 

Data collection and plant species identification for a study on urban wetland plant diversity in the New Jersey Meadowlands. 

Principal Investigator: Dr. Claus Holzapfel

 

Dissertation Research | May 2009-August  2015 | Rutgers University Newark

Advisor: Dr. Claus Holzapfel

Thesis title: Attraction and Risk in Urban Bird Habitats

Focus: Investigating the effects of urban habitat use on avian communities.

 

Restoration Ecology  Intern | Summer 2009, 2010, 2011 | Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ 

Data collection and analysis for several investigations related to the restoration of a polluted urban brownfield.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Frank Gallagher, Rutgers University

 

Research Assistant | April 2008 – September 2008 | Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ

Assisted a graduate ecology student from Rutgers University with field work including bird population surveys, nest watches, terrestrial invertebrate collection and identification.

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Presentations & Publications

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  • Gallagher F.J., Weiss, Salisbury, A., Goodey, N., Hagmann, D., Singh, D., Holzapfel C., Litwhiler, M., Krumins, J. 2018. Urban Re-Greening: a case study in multitrophic biodiversity and ecosystem health in a post-industrial landscape. Diversity 10(4), 119;  https://doi.org/10.3390/d10040119

  • Poster presentation: Alpert C.L., Thate K., Litwhiler M. NSF is Making a Quantum Leap - How can Science Museums keep up? ASTC Annual Conference, October 2017, San Jose California.

  • Litwhiler M. 2015. Solving a biological puzzle: why some genes never change. (popular science article). Published online by the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing. http://casw.org/newsroom-2015/article/solving-biological-puzzle-why-some-genes-never-change

  • Litwhiler M. 2015. Attraction and risk in urban bird habitats (Doctoral dissertation). http://archives.njit.edu/vhlib/etd/2010s/2015/njit-etd2015-106/njit-etd2015-106.php

  • Oral presentation: Litwhiler M., Bunker D., Holzapfel C. Functional diversity of passerines across an urbanized landscape quantified from citizen science data. Ecological Society of America Conference, August 2015, Baltimore, Maryland.

  • Poster presentation: Holzapfel C., Schat M., Parag H., Cullen A., Plank K., Wadwah S., Litwhiler M., Tripathee R. Patterns of diversity of plant communities in an urban tidal marshland. Ecological Society of America Conference, August 2015, Baltimore, Maryland.

  • Oral presentation: Litwhiler M., Bunker D., Holzapfel C. Functional diversity of passerines across an urbanized landscape quantified from citizen science data. Northeast Natural History Conference, April 2015, Springfield, Massachusetts.

  • Oral presentation: Litwhiler M., Bunker D., Holzapfel C. Functional diversity of urban and rural passerines quantified from citizen science data. Ecological Society of America Conference, August 2014, Sacramento, California.

  • Oral presentation: Litwhiler M., Holzapfel C., Gallagher F.J., Weiss P. Urban habitats: Attractive, but bad for Nature? On fruits, metals, and birds. Ecological Society of America Conference, August 2013, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

  • Oral presentation: Litwhiler M., Holzapfel C., Gallagher F.J., Weiss P. Heavy metal Bioaccumulation and avian frugivory in an urban forest. Ecological Society of America Conference, August 2012, Portland, Oregon.

  • Oral presentation: Clock M., Holzapfel C., Gallagher F.J., Weiss P. Trophic transfer of heavy metals and avian feeding ecology in an urban brownfield. Ecological Society of America Conference, August 2011, Austin, Texas.

  • Poster presentation: Clock M., Holzapfel C., Gallagher F.J., Weiss P. Trophic transfer of heavy metals and avian feeding ecology in an urban brownfield. Mid-Atlantic Ecological Society of America Conference, April 2011, Montclair New Jersey.

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Teaching Experience

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Instructor, Research Communication Lab (RCL) | MIT | Fall/Spring 2016 - 2018

Assisted the lead instructor with all aspects of teaching for a science communication course for graduate students of the Center for Excitonics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Students participated in a series of workshops focused on academic science communication and public outreach.

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Instructor, SciFund Challenge Introduction to Outreach (online course)  | October,  2015

Moderated online group discussions and provided constructive feedback for scientists enrolled in an online 5-week science outreach and communication training course.

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Guest Lecturer | Rutgers University Newark | April 27th and 28th, 2015

Course: Foundations in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, undergraduate

Created and delivered a lecture on climate change using active learning techniques.

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Guest Lecturer  | Rutgers University Newark | November 6th, 2014

Course: Basic Plant Science, undergraduate non-science majors

Created and delivered a two-part lecture on the plant life cycle, and fern morphology and ecology.

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Guest Lecturer | Rutgers University Newark | October 12th, 2014

Course: Bird Ecology, graduate

Created and delivered a lecture focused on urban bird ecology using active learning techniques.

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Guest Lecturer | Rutgers University Newark | March 4th 2014

Course: Biological Invasions, graduate

Created and delivered a lecture focused on the ecological significance of specific non-native species.

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Guest Lecturer | Montclair State University | November 12th 2013

Course: Ecology, undergraduate

Created and delivered a lecture on urban ecology using active learning techniques

 

Teaching Assistant, Aim High Academy Summer Earth Ecology  Program for high-achieving, low-income high school  students | Rutgers University Newark | Summer 2012 & 2013

Led high-school students through a series of research projects involving insect collection, plant surveys, and aquatic ecosystem studies. Designed and delivered a lecture on urban ecology.

 

Graduate Teaching  Assistant | Rutgers University Newark | Fall 2012 – Spring 2014

Courses taught: Basic Plant Science Lab, Fall 2014; Biology of Seed Plants Lab, Spring 2012 and 2014; Biology 101 Lab, Summer 2012; Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Lab, Fall 2012 and 2013; Plant Kingdom Lab, Spring 2013

Designed and delivered learning objectives, brief lectures and evaluation tools for laboratory courses. Led students through dissections and experiments and clarified associated scientific concepts.

 

Teaching Assistant | Rutgers University Newark | 2007-2009

General Chemistry Lab | May 2007- May 2009

Biology 101 and 102 Lab | Fall 2007 and Spring 2008

Led students through dissections and experiments and clarified associated scientific concepts.

 

Undergraduate Teaching Assistant | Fall 1999 | Keene State College, Keene, NH 

Course: Ethology

Held offices hours to provide tutoring and support to students on concepts and issues in the field of animal behavior.

 

Science Communication, Public  Engagement with Science & Informal STEM Education

 

Selected projects developed at the Museum of Science:

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Producer, Workshop Developer & Instructor, Science Communication Coach | The Reach Out Science Communication Challenge |

Winter 2020 - Spring 2021 (currently in production)
 

Producer and Presenter | MOS Live | Launched in Spring 2020 - ongoing

Selected examples - 

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Producer and Science Communication Coach | The Quantum Matters Science Communication Competition | 2018 & 2019

 

Producer and Host | Current Science & Technology Podcast: The Exotic World of Topological Insulators  | 2017
 

Producer and Presenter | Current Science & Technology Presentation: From Chemical Engineer to Cancer Warrior   | 2017
 

Co-Author | Amazing Nano Bothers Juggling Show Educator Guide  | 2018

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Instructor, Research Communication Lab (RCL) | MIT | Fall/Spring 2016 - 2018

Assisted the lead instructor with all aspects of teaching for a science communication course for graduate students of the Center for Excitonics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Students participated in a series of workshops focused on academic science communication and public outreach.

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Instructor, REU Science Communication Workshops | Museum of Science | 2016 - 2019

The REU Science Communication Workshop is designed to enhance the science communication skills of undergraduate students participating in research programs such as NSF's Research Experience for Undergraduates. I have led and co-led over a dozen of these workshops over the last 5 years with REU students and Summer Interns from UMass Lowell and the National Science Foundation Center for Integrated Quantum Materials based at Harvard University. 

 

Instructor, Sharing Science Workshop and Practicum | Museum of Science | 2016 - 2019

The SSW&P is full-day or two-day workshop that trains scientists to engage with public audiences. I have co-led several of these workshops for researchers from Boston University, Harvard University, MIT, Northeastern University, The Rowland Institute at Harvard, and Tufts University.

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Instructor | SciFund Challenge Introduction to Outreach (online course)  | Fall 2015

Moderated online group discussions and provided constructive feedback for scientists enrolled in an online 5-week science outreach and communication training course.

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Litwhiler M. 2015. Solving a biological puzzle: why some genes never change.

(popular science article). Published online by the Center for the Advancement of Science Writing. 

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ComSciCon SciWri15 Participant | MIT, October  9-12th 2015

Selected for and participated in a science writing workshop, and attended the ScienceWriters2015 conference in Boston,

MA. http://comscicon.com/comscicon-sciwri15

 

ComSciCon Participant | Harvard University, June 18-20th 2015

One of 50 out of 1,000 applicants selected to participate in a science communication training workshop. http://comscicon.com/

 

Blog founder and contributor | The Eco Tome | launched January 2015

This blog is no longer active. Please see the archive here. 

 

Participant | SciFund Challenge Science Outreach 101 Training  Course | September 2014

Completed a 5-week online training course on science communication and outreach. Lessons and activities included social media training, blogging, preparing and delivering presentations directed at a broad audience.

 

Instructor & lead workshop designer  | Rockefeller University, New York, NY | July 7th, 2014 | Workshop title: Using a BioBlitz to Teach Urban Ecology: A workshop for elementary through high school teachers. 

Designed and delivered an introductory lecture on urban ecology and the BioBlitz. Designed and guided participants through a series of interactive outdoor modules to demonstrate how to use an urban BioBlitz as a tool to teach ecology. Designed and provided participants with modifiable lesson plans directly related to the workshop activities, as well as supplemental lesson plans and resources.

 

Volunteering

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National  Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count | Liberty  State Park, NJ | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

 

Rutgers University Newark Annual Campus Bioblitz | Fall 2012, 2013, 2014
 

Volunteer  and seasonal staff member | The Raptor Trust, wild bird rehabilitation center | Millington, NJ, 2006-2008.

 

Awards

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Urban Ecosystem Ecology Section, Ecological Society of America, Travel Award, 2013. $400

Executive Women of New Jersey Merit Award Scholarship, 2013. $5000

NJIT Graduate Student Government Travel Award, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. $600/year

Graduate Teaching Assistantship, 2011-2015. Stipend $18,000/year with tuition remission

Sydney S. Greenfield Botany Fellowship, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark 2010. $5000

 

Invited Speaking Engagements

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Keynote Address: From Science to Science Communication | Boston University GWISE Annual Fall Luncheon | October 2019 

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Invited Expert | Career Dinner and Speed Networking Event, ComSciCon 2018 | Boston, MA | June 2018

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Panelist | Professional Panel Discussion | UMass Amherst Outreach and Public Engagement Summit | April 2018 

 

Panelist | Career Panel Discussion | Center for Integrated Quantum Materials (CIQM) Summer School Convocation | Harvard University | April 2018 

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Home: Experience

PRESENTATIONS

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Presenter and Lead Producer: Current Science and Technology Center: 

Presenter and Co-producer: 

  • Dazzling Diamond and the Quantum Revolution

  • Top Ten Science Stories of 2016

  • Top Ten Science Stories of 2017

  • July 2018 Afternoon Report

  • Top Ten Science Stories of 2019
     

Presenter and Producer, MOS Live: 

selected examples - 

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PODCASTS

Headphones

Museum of Science Current Science and Technology Podcast

 

Producer, Editor, Host:

Co-host: ​

  • The Top Ten Science Stories of 2016

  • The Top Ten Science Stories of 2017

HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES

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In collaboration with museum educators and scientists, I've developed and co-developed over a dozen hands-on, inquiry-based science activities on topics including artificial intelligence, biomechanics, psychophysics, and quantum physics. 

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SCIENCE COMMUNICATION AND ISE TRAINING

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During my time at the Museum of Science, I've led and co-led countless workshops and coaching sessions with over 100 students and researchers from undergraduates to faculty members to help them improve their academic science communication skills and prepare them for effective Informal Science Education experiences. In 2020, I began developing and delivering virtual science communication training to accommodate participants during Covid times. 

EVENT PRODUCTION AND PLANNING

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I've played an integral role in the planning and production of four annual Museum-wide NanoDays events, and the conceptualization, planning, and production of the 2018 and 2019 Quantum Matters Science Communication Competition. I was a lead producer,  science communication coach, and event host for the Reach Out Science Communication Challenge. 

RESOURCES FOR FORMAL EDUCATION

Cheerful Wallart

WRITING

Two Pens on Notebook

Selections from The Eco Tome:

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Home: Skills

I’d love to hear from you.

Ludlow, VT USA

meg.clock@gmail.com

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