Kathiann Kowalski

Freelance Writer

Kathiann Kowalski loves talking with scientists and engineers about their work and why it matters. And she loves getting into the field — whether that’s at a lab, in a research forest, at a drilling site or on a research boat. She has written more than 700 articles, plus 25 books for young people. “There’s always something new happening — and something new to learn,” she says.

 

Kathi graduated from Hofstra University in New York and got her law degree from Harvard Law School in Massachusetts. She previously practiced environmental law with a large firm. Kathi enjoys hiking, sewing, reading and travel.

All Stories by Kathiann Kowalski

  1. Health & Medicine

    Why you shouldn’t just brush off dandruff

    Research points to certain yeast and bacteria as culprits behind some dandruff. Special shampoos or prescription cleansers can help.

  2. Health & Medicine

    Science works to demystify hair and help it behave

    Research explores new ways to classify hair — from loose curls to tight coils — along with ways to control it and improve its looks and health.

  3. Artificial Intelligence

    Artificial intelligence is making it hard to tell truth from fiction

    Experts worry that by making it harder to tell what’s true, AI can threaten people’s reputations, health, fair elections and more.

  4. Science & Society

    U.S. lawmakers look for ways to protect kids on social media

    The U.S. government wants to protect young social media users from exploitation, bullying and more. The companies should play a role in this, it says.

  5. Science & Society

    Community action helps people cope with Flint’s water woes

    Activism, social media and public education are helping residents in the aftermath of the water crisis in Flint, Mich.

  6. Health & Medicine

    9 things to know about lead’s health risks — and how to curb them

    Lead has been linked to lower IQ, behavior problems, mental-health disorders, strokes and more health impacts. There are ways to reduce your exposure.

  7. Health & Medicine

    Health problems persist in Flint 10 years after water poisoning

    Flint, Mich., residents still show health impacts long after a switch in their drinking-water source exposed them to toxic lead and other pollutants.

  8. Climate

    Hydrogen energy could help our climate — depending on its source

    Hydrogen energy doesn’t emit greenhouse gases when it’s used. But how it’s produced will affect how useful it can be in slowing climate change.

  9. Tech

    Explainer: The hydrogen rainbow

    Hydrogen works the same, regardless of its source. But how clean or “green” it is very much hinges on its color-coded name — which points to how it was made.

  10. Environment

    Ultrasound waves can help remove polluting microplastics in water

    The innovative process concentrates microplastics within a flowing liquid. A two-step process then removes the potentially toxic bits.

  11. Science & Society

    Top 10 tips for how Gen Z’ers can get the best online experiences

    Emerging data point to how today’s teens can maximize their screen time’s benefits while limiting its risks.

  12. Environment

    Older diesel school buses linked to more student absences

    Schools that replaced or upgraded old diesel school buses increased student attendance rates, new research shows.