Julie Grisham

Overview

I have more than 15 years of experience writing about medicine, basic science, science policy, and environmental issues. My areas of expertise include translational and clinical oncology research; basic biology, including cell biology, developmental biology, molecular biology, and stem cell research; genetics; chemistry; and food safety.

I have been a writer and editor at BioScience, Chemical and Engineering News, and Nature Biotechnology and have worked in the Department of Public Affairs at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). As a freelance science and medical writer, my current clients include MSKCC, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation.

Before becoming a writer, I had laboratory experience including working in technical support for a cardiovascular diagnostic product, validating blood bank equipment, analyzing waste oil and water samples for an environmental services company, and running efficacy studies on new blends of laundry detergent.

I have a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Northwestern University with a concentration in genetics and developmental biology and a master’s degree in science journalism from Boston University.

My clients are all over the United States, but I’m based in Chicago.

Capabilities

Adept at identifying trends and developing original article topics.

Able to translate complex scientific topics and make them understandable to a lay audience.

Proficient in writing short, concise news stories on tight deadlines as well as longer, more in-depth feature articles.

Fluent in myriad life science, medical, and biotechnology subjects.

Broad knowledge of advances in cancer research.

Experience writing and editing business and regulatory news on a range of topics such as cloning, stem cell research, agricultural biotechnology, patents, and mergers and acquisitions of biotechnology companies.

Formal training in science writing.

Experience covering Congress and federal science agencies.

Familiar with varied editorial environments including weekly newsmagazines, peer-reviewed journals, trade publications, and nonprofit public affairs.

Extraordinary copyediting and proofreading skills.

Laboratory experience.

Experience in covering activities important to association members, donors, and other interested parties.

Member of the National Association of Science Writers, the American Medical Writers Association, and the American Chemical Society.

Experience

Editorial

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: senior writer/editor and freelance
American Society of Clinical Oncology: freelance
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: freelance
GeneTree/Sorenson Genealogical Research Foundation: freelance
Nature Biotechnology: assistant editor for news
Chemical & Engineering News: associate editor for editing and production, associate editor for government and science policy
BioScience: freelance

Education

Boston University: MS in science journalism
Northwestern University: BA in biological sciences with a concentration in genetics and developmental biology