Cathy Yarbrough

Recently published examples of my writing:

“Protecting Pharma Manufacturing Workers With Barrier/Containment Technologies,” Life Science Leader.

“Making the ‘undruggable’ Ras oncogene ‘druggable,’” press release for ASCB annual meeting.

“Assessing Your Metabolic Fitness,” text for DNA 3-Day website.

Contact:

858-243-1814; sciencematter@yahoo.com

Expertise:

• Writing and editing:  translating complex medical and scientific concepts to text and visuals that will be understood and engage  “lay” target audience.

• Creating web sites, e-newsletters, audiovisuals as well as printed material.

• Managing complex projects with tight budgets and deadlines.

• Developing & executing media relations strategy.

Clients have included:

• Life Science Leader magazine: reporting about pharma/biotech topics (2011-2012)
• Scripps Translational Science Institute: created new website: www.stsiweb.org (2010-2011)
• WholePoint Communications: media relations for  bio-pharmaceutical clients (2010-2011)
• Singapore’s A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research): media relations for  government agency driving the Asian nation’s transformation into a science powerhouse (2006-10)
• American Society for Cell Biology: media relations for annual conferences (2006-2011)
• American Society for Nephrology: science writing for “Kidney News” (2009-2011)
• DocGuide (www.docguide.com): medical writing (2009-2012)
• Trius Therapeutics, Inc.: media relations  (2006-2009)
• Pathway Genomics: science & medical writing (2009)
• Society for Neuroscience: media relations for annual meetings (2006, 2007 & 2010)
• American Association for Cancer Research: science writing (2006-2007)
• University of California at San Diego Moores Cancer Center: science & medical writing (2008)
• Gable Public Relations: media relations for annual meeting of company’s client, Biotechnology Industry Organization (2008)
• Porter Novelli Life Sciences: communications strategy for company’s client, Amgen (2006-2007)

Prior to launching my freelance career in 2006, I held senior staff positions at:

• Salk Institute of Biological Studies (VP Communications)
• Rockefeller University (VP Communications & Public Affairs)
• Novartis Pharmaceuticals (Executive Director, Media Relations)
• National Institutes of Health’s Human Genome Project (Public Information Director)
• American Heart Association national headquarters (Director, National Media Relations)
• Emory University’s Yerkes Primate Research Center (Public Affairs Officer)
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation national headquarters (Science Information Director)
• Atlanta Constitution (reporter)

EXAMPLES OF MY WORK:

Organization and most of text and visuals (photos & videos) on Scripps Translational Science Institute web site (www.stsiweb.org). For example:  ”Research Highlights”: www.stsiweb.org/index.php/translational_research/research_highlights

News releases for American Society for Cell Biology :

• “Making the ‘undruggable’ Ras oncogene ‘druggable,’”
• “Devastating ‘Founder Effect’ Genetic Disorder Raced to Defective Mitochondria in Cerebellar Neurons”

• “Pomegranate juice components inhibit cancer cell migration; in vivo testing planned”

• “’Art gallery’ of cell recognized at ASCB annual meeting”

29 articles during Sept. & Oct. 2010 for DocGuide  including:

• “Surgical Patients Who Smoke More Likely to Die or Develop Complications”:http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/852576140048867C852577C200563234?OpenDocument&id=48DDE4A73E09A969852568880078C249&c=Anaesthesiology%20Other&count=10
• “Preoperative Dexamethasone Improves Quality of Life After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy”:http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/852576140048867C852577C20059643B?OpenDocument&id=48DDE4A73E09A969852568880078C249&c=Anaesthesiology%20Other&count=10
• “Triglycerides Better Predictor of Survival Than Total Cholesterol, Lipoproteins in Hospitalised Heart Failure Patients”:http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/852576140048867C852577A30060ED36?OpenDocument&id=48DDE4A73E09A969852568880078C249&c=Congestive%20Heart%20Failure&count=10

Articles for 2009 & 2010 issues of Kidney News, a publication of American Society for Nephrology:

• “Alzheimer’s and Kidney Disease: Common Molecular Culprit?,” cover article of Sept. 2010 issue.  PDF posted at: http://www.asn-online.org/publications/kidneynews/archives/
• “Epigenetics May Help Unravel Kidney Disease Complexities,” cover article of July 2010 issue.  PDF posted at:http://www.asn-online.org/publications/kidneynews/archives/
• “Residual Renal Function Similar among Elderly and Young Kidney Donors,” one of six articles about research presented at American Transplant Congress 2010 published in June 2010 issue.  PDF posted at: http://www.asn-online.org/publications/kidneynews/archives/
• “High Hopes for Kidney Drug Development during 2010,” page 1 article of May 2010 issue. PDF posted at: http://www.asn-online.org/publications/kidneynews/archives/
• “Basic Research with Clinical Applications to Kidney Care Featured in State-of-Art Lectures” (on page 9), and “A More Paradoxical ‘Obesity Paradox’: Skinny Dialysis Patients at Increased Risk for Death” (on page 10) of Dec. 2009 issue. PDF posted at: http://www.asn-online.org/publications/kidneynews/archives/

10 news articles about American Transplant Congress 2010 annual meeting and 11 reports about American Thoracic Society’s 2009 annual conference were published by www.DocGuide.com.  Among the articles:

• “Preoperative Fasting Glucose Level Is a Predictor of New-Onset Diabetes After Transplantation”:  http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/852576140048867C8525771C006C3763?OpenDocument&id=48DDE4A73E09A969852568880078C249&c=Organ%20Transplantation&count=10
• “Inhaled Mannitol Improves Mucus Clearance, Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Bronchiectasis”: http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/852571020057CCF6852575BC005F1F12?OpenDocument&id=48DDE4A73E09A969852568880078C249&c=Pulmonary Other&count=10

News releases & feature articles for Singapore A*STAR such as:

• “New concoction reprograms differentiated cells into pluripotent stem cells”: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-01/afst-ncr011810.php
• “Human embryonic stem cells remain embryonic because of epigenetic factors”:  http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-10/afst-hes100407.php
• “Singapore scientists discover new regulators that maintain embryonic stem cells’ unique epigenetic character”: http://www.astar.edu.sg/Media/News/PressReleases/tabid/828/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/187/Default.aspx
• “Hallmark features of human embryonic stem cells controlled by protein modifications that influence gene”: http://www.astar.edu.sg/Media/News/PressReleases/tabid/828/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/97/Default.aspx
• “Singapore to open Fusionopolis” (Research Technology Management 2008 magazine article): http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-184324728.html

News releases & other communications tools for Salk Institute include:

• “Prestigious HHMI appointments go to two Salk Institute Researchers”: http://www.salk.edu/news/pressrelease_details.php?press_id=120
• “Inaugural Salk Medals will honor leaders for improving health care of Haitian poor and cancer therapy worldwide” (news release):  http://www.salk.edu/news/news_press_details.php?id=153
• “Thank you, Dr. Salk”:  http://www.salk.edu/news/pressrelease_details.php?press_id=122
• Salk 40th anniversary video for institute’s “Sensational Salk” event: http://www.salk.edu/news/video.php?id=17
• Inside Salk magazines (April & Sept. 2005 & Feb.2006):   http://www.salk.edu/insidesalk/archives.php

News releases for the National Human Genome Institute of NIH include:

• “Down Syndrome Research Expedited by Decoding of Human Chromosome 21 – Second Human Chromosome Sequenced by the Human Genome Project” (news release): http://www.genome.gov/10001485
• “Mouse: Next in Line for DNA Sequencing” (news release): http://www.genome.gov/10002108
• “Scientists Complete First Chapter of Book of Life With Decoding of First Human Chromosome” (news release): http://www.genome.gov/10002104

ALSO:

• “Advancing the War on Breast Cancer” (Ranch and Coast 2006 magazine article): http://www.ranchandcoast.com/october2006/body-mind-spirit.html
• “Internationally renowned neurobiologist to join Rockefeller University; Cori Bargmann discovered ‘matchmaker’” (news-feature article): http://runews.rockefeller.edu/index.php?page=engine&id=5
• “Primates,” review article published in Science in June 1988: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/sci;240/4858/1475?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&author1=Yarbrough&author2=King&title=primates&andorexacttitle=or&andorexacttitleabs=or&andorexactfulltext=or&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&fdat

Cathy & pals while early morning caffeine brews in kitchen.