My New Home!

As I look down the list of amazing bloggers joining this SciAm network my guess is that I fall into the category of bloggers labelled "who's that guy and what’s he doing here?" Well, let me introduce myself.

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American



On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


As I look down the list of amazing bloggers joining this SciAm network my guess is that I fall into the category of bloggers labelled “who’s that guy and what’s he doing here?” Well, let me introduce myself.

My name is James Byrne. I’m currently trying very hard to finish my PhD thesis in bacteriology where I work on Streptococcus pneumoniae. For those bacteriologists out there, I work on the regulatory machinery that controls the production of capsular polysaccharide for S. pneumo, and other related bugs. I have written about it here and for the more adventurous here as well.

(more…)

Dr James Byrne has a PhD in Microbiology and works as a science communicator at the Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus), Australia's unique national science hub, which showcases the importance of science in everyday life.

More by James Byrne

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe