Alan was all set on majoring in biology, but then he realized he liked writing about science more than doing research, so he left Hong Kong and went to study journalism in the U.S. After interning at NPR and WBEZ in Chicago, he has never wanted to work anywhere outside of public radio. He covers space and all other kinds of innovation. He enjoys comic books, LEGO, and dragon boating.
More from the Contributor
COVID and flu cases are on the rise as vaccination rates remain low, CDC warns
Experts are concerned that the number of flu and COVID-19 patients in hospitals could peak at around the same time and strain capacity.
4 months ago
New organ donation technique challenges line between life and death
A new organ donation technique can recover more organs from each donor, and organs that are less likely to fail. But some doctors say it’s unethical.
4 months ago
Listen 10:02‘Act like everything’s fine’: What it was like to work at the Philadelphia Insectarium
Conversations with former staffers and people close to the museum reveal that trouble had been brewing for years.
5 months ago
Listen 5:40Did Pa.’s exposure notification apps help prevent the spread of COVID-19?
"We were building the plane while we were flying it,” said one consultant.
5 months ago
Listen 2:54Penn police called FBI to help investigate threatening antisemitic emails
The threats come amid heightened tensions on US college campuses and at Penn, in particular, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
5 months ago
Scientists need good data to study UFOs. But how can they collect it?
Researchers say it's difficult to draw scientific conclusions from UFO sightings because there isn't enough data to study.
6 months ago
Listen 10:28After recent backlash, community members weigh in on Mütter Museum’s future
The museum’s new leadership recently removed online exhibits and videos in the name of an ethical review. The CEO resigned after two years into her tenure.
6 months ago
Listen 1:48This Philadelphia doctor wants you to consider eating animal organs
Eating organ meat is not mainstream in the U.S., leading to waste in the food supply. A doctor wants to change that.
6 months ago
Listen 4:27CEO of the College of Physicians, Mütter Museum resigns after a tumultuous 2 years
Dr. Mira Irons' brief tenure was marked by turmoil; a mass exodus of staff, and major changes in terms of the museum’s online exhibits.
7 months ago
Listen 1:45As they prepare to dole out newly updated booster shots, local health workers are trying to incorporate lessons learned from three years’ worth of vaccine campaigns.
7 months ago
Listen 4:03Staff and shoppers at a Montco garden store saved a woman and her baby
Rasheida Colon said the people in the store “literally saved my life because it could have been so bad.”
9 months ago
Listen 2:42Where can the U.S. put 88,000 tons of nuclear waste?
While the U.S. struggles to build long-term storage for nuclear waste, other countries like Sweden, Finland, and Canada move forward with plans for geologic repositories.
10 months ago
Listen 10:51