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Rachel Crowell

Contributing Writer

Latest Articles

Q&A

She Tracks the DNA of Elusive Species That Hide in Harsh Places

By Rachel Crowell
April 17, 2023
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On Mount Everest and in the Peruvian Andes, Tracie Seimon uses DNA to study how species and ecosystems respond to climate change, pathogens and other influences.

Mathematician Lek-Heng Lim standing near some columns at the University of Chicago.
Q&A

An Applied Mathematician With an Unexpected Toolbox

By Rachel Crowell
March 1, 2023
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Lek-Heng Lim uses tools from algebra, geometry and topology to answer questions in machine learning.

Q&A

A Mathematician Dancing Between Algebra and Geometry

By Rachel Crowell
November 22, 2022
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Wei Ho, the first director of the Women and Mathematics program at the Institute for Advanced Study, combines algebra and geometry in her work on an ancient class of curves.

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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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