February 5, 2018

Linda Laubenstein and the kindness of a fighter

February 5, 2018

In the early years of the AIDS crisis, one woman fought for her patients against the odds. Linda Laubenstein's story led Gabriella Knowler to consider her own approach to science.

July 3, 2017

By Patrice Jones

Model Specimens

Ashley Montagu and the genetics of race

July 3, 2017

By Patrice Jones

Model Specimens

Having no time for ambiguous terms in biology, Patrice Jones was led to Ashley Montagu, who fought for race to be dropped as a biological distinction at a time when it was embedded in culture.

May 17, 2017

By Tessa Evans

Model Specimens

Luca Turin and the mischievous secret of scent

May 17, 2017

By Tessa Evans

Model Specimens

Luca Turin and the mischievous secret of scent

Tessa Evans muses about the time she thought she might become a perfume chemist, inspired by Luca Turin, the man who (may have) made sense of scent.

March 13, 2017

By Jack Scanlan

Model Specimens

Barbara McClintock and the children of the corn

March 13, 2017

By Jack Scanlan

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Barbara McClintock and the children of the corn

Misunderstood for decades, pioneering geneticist Barbara McClintock prompted Jack Scanlan to wonder: what’s the point of scientific ideas if we can’t communicate them to others?

February 10, 2017

By Nicki Cranna

Model Specimens

Elizabeth Finkel and the art of storytelling

February 10, 2017

By Nicki Cranna

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Elizabeth Finkel and the art of storytelling

As one of the most successful and recognisable figures in Australian science journalism, Elizabeth Finkel's style and passion helped launch Nicki Cranna into a career that combines writing, art and science.

January 9, 2017

By Andrew Katsis

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Bruce Frederick Cummings and the meaning of life (and death)

January 9, 2017

By Andrew Katsis

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Bruce Frederick Cummings and the meaning of life (and death)

His life was short and his scientific accomplishments modest, but Bruce Frederick Cummings’ personal journal made a lasting impact on Andrew Katsis.

December 13, 2016

By Clare Watson

Model Specimens

Oliver Sacks and the quirks of the mind

December 13, 2016

By Clare Watson

Model Specimens

He was a menace in the lab, but Oliver Sacks’ clinical compassion and insightful way with words inspires Clare Watson to keep an open mind while finding her own niche.

November 7, 2016

By Ellen Rykers

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Ben Goldacre and the power of evidence

November 7, 2016

By Ellen Rykers

Model Specimens

Famous for his Bad Science column in the Guardian, Ben Goldacre is a beloved science activist. For Ellen Rykers, he was the catalyst to get her out of the lab and into writing about science instead.