The Story Collider

Amy Oestreicher: Life Without a Stomach

04 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Amy Oestreicher is a normal teenage theater nerd... until the day her stomach explodes. Amy Oestreicher is a PTSD peer-to-peer specialist, artist, aut...

Jana Watson-Capps: Shark-Infested Waters

28 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Biologist Jana Watson-Capps struggles with feeling in over her head in her scientific career. Jana Watson-Capps is an Associate Director of the Univer...

Herman Pontzer: Burning Calories

21 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Anthropologist Herman Pontzer spends time living among a Hadza hunter-gatherer tribe in order to see if they burn more calories than a typical Western...

Layne Jackson Hubbard: Still Myself

14 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Layne Jackson Hubbard wakes up in a hospital room with a head wound and no memory of how she got there. Layne Jackson Hubbard is a PhD student in Comp...

Aparna Nancherla: By Any Means Necessary

07 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

When comedian Aparna Nancherla's science fair project goes awry, she and her fellow students make some unethical choices. Aparna Nancherla is a standu...

Patrick Freeman: Elephant Time

30 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick Freeman is studying elephants in Namibia when he receives terrible news. Patrick Freeman is a Research Assistant at the Carnegie Institution f...

Rachel Yehuda: Cause and Effect

23 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

To discover why some survivors of trauma experience PTSD and some don't, scientist Rachel Yehuda must convince a community of Holocaust survivors to l...

Ira Flatow: The Sound of the Falls

16 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

As a young science reporter at NPR, Science Friday's Ira Flatow accepts a challenge to record what it sounds like to go over Niagara Falls. Award winn...

Wyatt Cenac: Driving Drunk for Science

09 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

While completing a community service requirement in high school, comedian Wyatt Cenac puts a drunk driving simulation to the test. Wyatt Cenac is a co...

Paula Croxson: How Cold Is Too Cold?

02 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Neuroscientist Paula Croxson is determined to finish her first open-water swimming race -- despite the dangers. Paula Croxson is a neuroscientist at M...

Ben Lillie: The Truth About My Grandfather

26 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

After his grandfather passes away, Ben Lillie learns the surprising truth about his life -- from Wikipedia. Ben is a high-energy particle physicist wh...

Elana Lancaster: The Egg & the Equinox

19 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In grade school, Elana Lancaster gets into trouble when he questions his student teacher's science. Elana Lancaster is a health educator and storytell...

Skylar Bayer: The Hummingbird of Doom

12 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Skylar Bayer's dreams of a career in scientific scuba diving are put in jeopardy when her heart begins acting strangely. Skylar Bayer is a PhD candida...

Aaron Wolfe: The Inseminator

06 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Aaron Wolfe seeks meaning through labor at a kibbutz dairy farm -- and finds himself tackling some rather unexpected tasks. Aaron Wolfe is a moth gran...

Jo Firestone: A Sex Education

29 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

When comedian Jo Firestone goes to college, she starts to worry she has an STD -- even though she's never had sex. Learn more about your ad choices. V...

MaryAnn Wilbur: Two Pregnancies

22 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

While she's 26 weeks pregnant, OB-GYN MaryAnn Wilbur treats a woman who is also 26 weeks pregnant -- and about to go into labor. MaryAnn Wilbur is cur...

Henry Duffy: 97 Days On Pitcairn Island

15 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

As a student, Henry Duffy jumps at a chance to do research...on the second most remote island in the world. Henry Duffy is a conservationist with a pa...

Nathan Boll: What Else Is Out There?

08 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Nathan Boll was an excellent physics student -- up until the day he suddenly dropped out. Nathan Boll is a Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology P...

Nitin Ron: Babies and Mountains

01 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Newborn and premature baby specialist Nitin Ron learns a surprising lesson from one of his young patients. Nitin Ron is a neonatologist (baby doctor) ...

Emily Mullin: Losing My Voice

24 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In high school, Emily Mullin dreams of becoming a broadcast journalist -- until her voice mysteriously begins to disappear. Emily Mullin is a freelanc...

Jeff Sparr: Obsession

17 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jeff Sparr finds an unexpected purpose after his life is torn apart... by a case of jock itch. PeaceLove co-founder Jeff Sparr is a man on an audaciou...

Amanda Duffy: A Picture of My Brain

10 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Neuroscientist Amanda Duffy gets some surprising news about her brain when she volunteers to be a control in an MRI study. Amanda Marie Duffy is a gra...

David Russell: In The Name Of Love

03 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In high school, David Russell joins a hospital apprentice program in order to get close to his crush. David Russell is a librarian, bookseller and sto...

Rochelle Williams: Potential

29 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

As a PhD student, Rochelle Williams faces barriers to a career in engineering. Rochelle Williams is a Louisiana girl, Spelman woman, and lover of all ...

Steve Crabtree: Painting A Nuclear Submarine

20 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Steve Crabtree gets an unusual start to his career: watching paint dry. Steve Crabtree left school aged 15 in 1985 and started work as a painter &...

Brion Randolph: Curiosity Saves The Cats

14 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Brion Randolph's journey to becoming a doctor begins with a box full of kittens. Dr. Brion Randolph is currently the Chief of Medical Oncology at Canc...

Dawn Fraser: The Mission

06 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

While working as a census taker in 2010, Dawn Fraser is taken by surprise when her partner asks her for a favor. Dawn J. Fraser is a storyteller, educ...

Bill Harwood: How A Chemist Becomes A Cop

29 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

As a young chemist working for the state crime lab, Bill Harwood is unexpectedly called to a crime scene. Lt. Bill Harwood is the director of the Main...

Nneze Akwiwu: The First Female President Of Nigeria

22 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

A chance conversation gives Nneze Akwiwu a chance to study in the United States. Nneze Akwiwu is currently a senior Biology major at Spelman College. ...

Chris Duffy: A Comedian Walks Into Some Neuroscience

15 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

After reading about scientific theories of humor, comedian Chris Duffy decides to see if those principles can make his act better. Chris Duffy is a NY...

Kia: Control

08 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

A young neuroscientist seeks control through an eating disorder. Kia is a recent graduate of Wellesley College, where she majored in neuroscience and ...

Amanda Stockton: The Girl With The Big Nose

01 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Growing up on a cattle ranch, Amanda Stockton dreams of searching for life elsewhere in the universe. Dr. Amanda Stockton is an assistant professor in...

Dan Daneshvar: Making The Death Call

26 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

To study a dangerous disease, Dan Daneshvar asks families to consider donating their loved one's brains. Dan Daneshvar received an S.B. from the Massa...

Joe Palca: 175 Riverside Drive

18 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

A series of incidents propels Joe Palca to a career in sleep research. Joe Palca is a science correspondent for NPR. He comes to journalism from a sci...

Erika Engelhaupt: Fear Of Flying

12 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Erika Engelhaupt gets a dream reporting assignment. There's just one problem--she has to take a small prop plane just like the one that she almost cra...

Maryam Zaringhalam: Cheating My Way To Smart

05 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Maryam Zaringhalam's scheme to cheat her way into the smart class makes clear a huge flaw in the education system. Maryam Zaringhalam is a molecular b...

Jonaki Bhattacharyya: Losing Control

26 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jonaki Bhattacharyya ventures out into rugged Canadian wilderness to research wild horses — but can does she have what it takes to survive? This sto...

David Putrino: Medical Records

20 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

While working at a hospital, David Putrino finds a surprise in his own medical records. David is a Physical Therapist with a PhD in Neuroscience. He h...

Saad Sarwana: The Math Test

12 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Saad Sarwana is finally about to win a high school award, but in his way is a math problem even the teacher got wrong. Saad Sarwana grew up in Pakista...

Rachel Fairbank: Scientist Or Subject?

05 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

While being treated after an accident, Rachel Fairbank struggles with not being the researcher. Rachel Fairbank received her bachelor's in biology fro...

Abhishek Shah: Waste Disposal

29 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Abhishek Shah takes a simple job to pay for school--toxic waste disposal. Being a biomedical engineer, Abhishek Shah knows everything about physics, c...

Brian Kennedy: The Back-Up Plan

22 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Brian Kennedy is forced to take a job in his local pharmacy to finance his theater dreams. Brian Kennedy is a writer/storyteller living in NYC. He's w...

Kaća Bradonjić: The Nature Of Space And Time

17 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Physicist Kaća Bradonjić's view of time is shaped by her experience as a war refugee. Originally from the former Yugoslavia, Kaća Bradonjić is a t...

Ali Mattu: My Brother The Trekkie

08 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Psychologist Ali Mattu didn't know what he wanted to be as a kid, but his older brother helped him find inspiration in Star Trek. Ali is a clinical ps...

Anna Nicanarova: Playing Sick

01 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Anna Nicanarova pretends to be sick to get out of a test, but how far will she take the ruse? Anna Nicanorova is Director of Annalect Labs -- space fo...

Tom Levenson: Henry

25 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Used to the controlled uncertainties of his work, science writer Tom Levenson is forced to confront the dramatic uncertainty of whether he’ll be abl...

Adam Foote: The Sea Urchin Massacre

18 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Foote confronts the problem of obtaining sea urchins in land-locked Pittsburgh...during a polar vortex. Adam recently graduated with a Master's d...

Neer Asherie: The Milk Heist

11 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

When he discovers his milk has been stolen from the dorm fridge, Neer Asherie has to resort to extreme science measures to find the culprit. Neer Ashe...

Rachel Pendergrass: A Bad Day At The Aquarium

04 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Rachel Pendergrass gets her dream job: talking to visitors in an aquarium, but dealing with the questions are not what she expected. Rachel Pendergras...

Alan Guth: Stumbling To Inflation

28 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Alan Guth is working on a fairly typical research paper, when he accidentally makes a huge discovery about the origin of the universe. Alan H. Guth is...

Adam Rogers: Separating Cells

22 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Rogers gets an exciting opportunity to work in a marine biology lab, and see if he really wants to be a biologist. Adam Rogers is articles editor...

April Salazar: The Heart Adapts

13 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Facing an incredibly important decision, April Salazar is infuriated by way scientific information about reproduction is distorted. April Salazar is a...

Jimmy Wohl: Calmfidence

06 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

As a musician and writer Jimmy Wohl thought he was the ultimate creative, then he encounters a pharmaceutical marketing campaign. Jimmy Wohl is a writ...

Erik Vance: Is This Biology?

31 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Erik Vance searches for the real meaning of biology while chasing porcupines. Erik Vance is a native Bay Area writer replanted in Mexico as a non-nati...

Aerin Jacob: Lessons From The Man With A Machine Gun

23 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

With her truck stuck in the mud in the Serengeti, Aerin Jacob learns three important lessons. This story was produced as part of the Springer Storytel...

Nicole Ferraro: The Summer Of West Nile

16 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

A remote disease comes very close to home for Queens resident Nicole Ferraro. Nicole Ferraro is a writer, editor, and storyteller living in NYC. Her p...

Teppei Katori: Becoming American

09 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

A Japanese particle physicist struggles to find his place (and learn English) in the American midwest. Teppei Katori is an experimental particle physi...

John Rennie: The Downside Of Being The Boss

02 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

John Rennie finds it’s great to be editor in chief of Scientific American, but not when all the ingredients of sarin gas are in his office. John Ren...

Adriana Salerno: A Different Kind Of Problem

25 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

As a mathematician, Adriana Salerno is used to solving problems, but depression is something else entirely. Adriana Salerno is originally from Caracas...

Brittany Bushnell: A Neuroscientist With A Brain Tumor

18 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Just after beginning a graduate program in neuroscience, Brittany Bushnell gets an unexpected look at her own brain. Brittany Bushnell has a BS in psy...

Nate Charles Troisi: Family Chemistry

11 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

A chemistry set is the perfect opportunity for Nate Charles Karagiannis-Troisi to connect with his engineer father. Nate Charles Karagiannis-Troisi i...

David Moinina Sengeh: Whose Story Is It?

04 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

When reporters call to cover David Moinina Sengeh's work, that should be a good thing, but it depends on what story they want to tell. David Moinina S...

Tara Lagu: Quitting The Lab To Save The World

28 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tara Lagu's passion for beating her high school rival in the science fair turns into an unusual medical career. Tara Lagu, M.D., M.P.H, is an Academic...

Karen James: I Could Be an Astronaut

21 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

A surprise email leads a biologist to NASA. Dr Karen James (@kejames on Twitter) is a biologist at the MDI Biological Laboratory, where she combines D...

Erica Ferencik: My Dad & His Mice

15 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Erica Ferencik's father left his family to pursue his obsession with finding monogamy in the animal kingdom. Award-winning novelist, screenwriter, and...

George Church: Playing With Fire

07 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

George Church learns a lesson on the power of nature the hard way. George Church is Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, Director of NIH C...

John Dimandja: The First Day Of Class

31 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Professor John Dimandja is confused when his class begins snickering on the first day -- until he realizes it's because they weren't expecting him to ...

Diana Reiss: Who is training who?

27 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Early in her career researching dolphin intelligence Diana Reiss began wondering, "Who is training who?" Diana Reiss, a cognitive psychologist and a m...

Uzma Rizvi: Being an Archaeologist

19 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

At a checkpoint in Iraq, not knowing if she'll get through, Uzma Rizvi reflects on what it means to be an archaeologist. This story was produced as pa...

Brian Wecht: The Littlest Experiment

13 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

For physicist Brian Wecht, his new baby is the perfect opportunity--to do experiments. Brian Wecht studies theoretical particle physics and string the...

Jessica Henkel: Stuck

06 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Ecologist Jessica Henkel finds the keys to her research truck missing, as it's parked on a remote beach with one of the biggest tides of the season ab...

Carter Edwards: Brontosaurus Claus

27 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Not even the truth about Santa Claus and George Washington could prepare Carter Edwards for what happened to Brontosaurus. Carter Edwards' work has ap...

Rose Eveleth: Looking For Help

19 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Rose Eveleth always wanted to be fiercely independent. But sometimes being too independent has its downsides. Rose Eveleth is a writer, producer, and ...

Virendra Singh: Farm To School

12 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Virendra Singh is responsible for carrying on his family's farm, but he begs his parents to be allowed to go to school. Virendra was born in a farmer'...

Sean Carroll: What Would Stephen Hawking Do?

04 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Sean Carroll gets a fabulous job offer—to work with Stephen Hawking—twice. Sean Carroll is a Research Professor of theoretical physics at the Cali...

Carl Hart: My Cousin's Meds

27 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

When neuroscientist Carl Hart meets with his cousin he wonders about what he now knows about psychiatric medication and society, and whether his own l...

David Kipping: Falling To Other Worlds

19 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

A near-fatal accident on a mountain leads exoplanet hunter David Kipping to a new goal. David Kipping is an astronomer based at the Harvard-Smithsonia...

Chris Gunter: My Prosthetic

11 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Geneticist Chris Gunter worries about passing on a rare condition to her son. Chris Gunter is a human geneticist by training, and a science communicat...

Bradford Jordan: The Brain In The Trunk

01 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Bradford Jordan finds there's more to the brain his dad brings to show his class than just how cool it is. Bradford Jordan is an actor, improviser, st...

Renee Hlozek: Who Looks Like A Scientist?

24 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

An offhand sexist comment enrages Renee Hlozek, and leads her to dig into how her colleagues really view people who aren't the stereotypical scientist...

Elin Roberts: The Bacon Sandwich

17 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

A simple interview about a bacon sandwich turns into a national, then international nightmare. Elin Roberts is Head of Public Engagement at the Centre...

Jon Ronson: Jon Ronson Vs Jon_Ronson

11 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

When Jon Ronson discovers a twitter account pretending to be him, he sets off to find it's creators. Jon Ronson is a British nonfiction author, docume...

Molly Payne Wynne: An Accomplice To Fish Murder

03 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

A summer job in Yellowstone National Park isn't quite what Molly Payne Wynne had been expecting. Molly is the Monitoring Coordinator for the Penobscot...

Bianca Jones Marlin: It's Because She's Black

27 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

On the first day of grad school for her PhD, a fellow student tells Bianca Jones Marlin that she doesn't really belong there. Bianca Jones Marlin is a...

Hillary Rea: A Standard Pregnancy

16 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Hillary Rea enjoys her job as a "standard patient" helping to train medical students, until she's asked to sub in on a birth gone quite wrong. Hillary...

Adam Becker: How To Save Your PhD Supervisor

06 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

When Adam Becker realizes a visiting film crew is made up of geocentrists, he has to prevent them from exploiting his adviser's work. Adam Becker is a...

Erin Barker: Plants And People

27 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Erin Barker's attempt to save a college relationship leads her to a plant biology class where the professor brought an ax to class. Erin Barker is sen...

Indre Viskontas: The Man Chart

12 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Neuroscientist Indre Viskontas and her friends turn to science to find the right way to date. Indre Viskontas is a neuroscientist and opera singer. Sh...

David Epstein: Holographic Supplements

04 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Sports writer David Epstein tracks down some surprising health claims circulating in the football world. David Epstein is author of the recent New Yor...

Tara Clancy: Adventures In Babymaking

29 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

The joys and dangers of getting pregnant for Tara Clancy and her wife. Tara Clancy is a writer and performer. Her writing has appeared in The New York...

Suze Kundu: A New Pair Of Shoes

22 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Suze Kundu is forced to abandon dancing for materials science, until materials science comes to the rescue. Suze Kundu is a Teaching Fellow at Imperia...

Bethany Brookshire: A Perfect Mentor

12 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Lost after arriving at grad school, Bethany Brookshire is happy to finally find a perfect mentor. Bethany Brookshire has a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. ...

Justin Cameron: A Dangerous Trick

03 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Sword swallower Justin Cameron gets an unexpected lesson in anatomy and medicine. Justin is a product manager and mobile app designer who works on sea...

Alex Bellos: Your Favorite Number

26 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Bellos is surprised that people ask him what his favorite number is, so he decides to ask everyone what theirs is. Alex Bellos is the author of t...

Ed Yong: Questioning A Hero

16 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Ed Yong is ecstatic to get an interview with his hero, Sir David Attenborough, but he's not prepared for a lesson in what having a science hero really...

Annalee Newitz: Honoring The Dead

11 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Annalee Newitz comes to terms with grief while exploring the remains of a mysterious ancient city. Annalee Newitz is the editor of io9, and author mos...

Shayle Matsuda: My First Expedition As A Man

25 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Marine biologist Shayle Matsuda adapts to his new identity as a transgender man while on assignment in the Philippines. Shayle Matsuda researches sea ...

Brian Fisher: Living With The Pygmies

16 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Alone in the African rainforest and on the brink of death, entomologist Brian Fisher finds help from an unexpected source. Dr. Brian Fisher is a moder...

Matineh Eybpoosh: Being Good

04 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Married young and used to giving up her own dreams, Iranian student Matineh Eybpoosh moves to the U.S. to study civil engineering—and a whole new wo...

Jeffrey Schell: Caught In The Rip Current

27 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Oceanographer Jeffrey Schell finds himself in a race against time when he encounters swimmers stuck in a dangerous rip current. Jeffrey M. Schell is a...