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Rachel Crowell

Contributing Writer

An illustration of a polyhedral shape being folded flat.
geometry

Father-Son Team Solves Geometry Problem With Infinite Folds

By Rachel Crowell
April 4, 2022
Read Later

The result could help researchers answer a larger question about flattening objects from the fourth dimension to the third dimension.

Q&A

When a Gene Illness Discovery Means Breaking Bad News

By Rachel Crowell
December 14, 2021
Read Later

When scientists discover genes linked to dangerous illnesses in their samples, how should they convey that news to the study participants? The geneticist Cristen Willer had to tackle that challenge.

Illustrated scene showing characters reading glycan-shaped runes on a mystical sculpture shaped like a cell.
molecular biology

Researchers Read the Sugary ‘Language’ on Cell Surfaces

By Rachel Crowell
May 3, 2021
Read Later

Glycans, the complex sugars that stud cellular surfaces, are like a language that life uses to mediate vital interactions. Researchers are learning how to read their meaning.

A close-up, head-on portrait of computer scientist Rediet Abebe.
Q&A

A Computer Scientist Who Tackles Inequality Through Algorithms

By Rachel Crowell
April 1, 2021
Read Later

Rediet Abebe uses the tools of theoretical computer science to understand pressing social problems — and try to fix them.

Q&A

Searching Symbols for the Rules of Change

By Rachel Crowell
November 17, 2020
Read Later

Bryna Kra searches for the patterns in sequences of numbers that explain how complicated dynamical systems evolve over time.

Q&A

Conducting the Mathematical Orchestra From the Middle

By Rachel Crowell
September 2, 2020
Read Later

Emily Riehl is rewriting the foundations of higher category theory while also working to make mathematics more inclusive.

About the author

Rachel Crowell is a math and science writer based in Iowa who has written for Scientific American, Science News for Students, the American Mathematical Society, Eos and other publications. Rachel is also a former AAAS Mass Media fellow. Follow Rachel on Twitter at @writesRCrowell.

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