
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
What it’s like to be disabled now, in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic
People who are disabled or have chronic illnesses have a different perspective on the limits we’re all living with today.
5 years ago
What’s holding up coronavirus testing? Lack of necessary chemicals and lab equipment
Researchers say the U.S. needs to test at least 500,000 people a day. But labs and health systems have to share what’s required to perform the tests.
5 years ago
Listen 1:33A COVID-19 snapshot: How the Philadelphia region’s hospitals are managing
During interviews over the past week, as coronavirus cases continued to rise, officials said the tri-state region’s hospitals were up to the challenge.
5 years ago
Humans stay home because of the coronavirus. Some rats follow
Those restaurant dumpsters aren’t full of food waste anymore, so opportunistic rodents are going the residential route to fill their bellies.
5 years ago
Listen 1:21How do quick coronavirus tests work, and will the U.S. have enough?
Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb estimated at least 750,000 rapid point-of-care tests are needed weekly to guide the country out of the pandemic.
5 years ago
Einstein Healthcare Network to furlough workers
The health system, which employs 8,000 workers, instructed leadership to choose which positions to temporarily cut.
5 years ago
Philly area hospitals grapple with shortage of drugs to put patients on ventilators
It’s not just the ventilators: Hospitals are short the sedatives and painkillers used to keep patients on those ventilators during the coronavirus pandemic.
5 years ago
Listen 1:41Tips for a healthy coronavirus-era diet, from the nutritionist who ate at McDonald’s for a month
There are workarounds to takeout and whatever is left on the supermarket shelf. If canned or frozen fruits and veggies are all that’s left, use those.
5 years ago
Cats can get coronavirus. How worried should you be?
A study published in the journal Science now says the virus can infect both felines and ferrets. But there are some important caveats to the findings.
5 years ago
What’s the antibody coronavirus test Chester County is using?
The county started its program Wednesday: 10,000 test kits have already arrived and 10,000 more are expected next week.
5 years ago
Listen 1:49Coronavirus update: Philadelphia will write new budget due to economic impact of pandemic
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said the city’s finance and budget directors will work on a new budget and five-year plan, given the economic impact of the pandemic.
5 years ago
The dairy section is often empty. So why are farmers dumping milk?
During the pandemic, people are buying so much milk that grocery stores limit purchases. So why are dairy farmers dumping milk down the drain?
5 years ago
Listen 1:05