
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
How a turkey farmer dealt with an avian flu outbreak on Thanksgiving
The bird flu virus continues to spread around the world, including in mammals like cows. Scientists are worried it could become a human virus.
5 months ago
Listen 9:25Thousands of resident doctors in Philadelphia want to unionize
They say patient care suffers because of bad working conditions and long hours.
5 months ago
Listen 1:30The years-long quest to make an ‘artificial leaf’ as a promising fuel alternative
The artificial leaf was a vision for moving beyond fossil fuels. Researchers have since run into obstacles, but continue to push the field forward.
5 months ago
Listen 10:00The powerful animal tranquilizer has started appearing in the illicit heroin and fentanyl market in recent years.
5 months ago
Listen 1:47Penn Medicine and student group take over free West Philly community health clinic
Care providers recently wrote about the clinic as a model for how academic health systems can partner with community health organizations.
5 months ago
Listen 1:31Does it matter what time you take your medicine?
Years of research show it matters when a patient takes medicine. So why don't drugs come with those instructions?
5 months ago
Listen 9:48Did Philadelphia’s soda tax have an impact on people’s health?
A new study shows the soda tax made a small difference in slowing down weight gain, which researchers argue is still important.
5 months ago
Listen 1:44Hurricane Helene shut down a factory in North Carolina that makes more than half of the U.S. supply of intravenous fluids. Hospitals use them everyday.
6 months ago
Listen 1:39Penn Medicine residents vote to approve union contract, a first for Pennsylvania
The negotiations took more than a year and included a large public rally and a recent incident where hospital security drove residents off a sidewalk.
6 months ago
Listen 1:26Penn researchers develop new gene therapy for previously untreatable eye disorder
The gene therapy comes seven years after another research group at the university helped come up with the first FDA approved gene therapy for an inherited disease.
7 months ago
Listen 1:44Some parents say their children are not supported enough. The School District of Philadelphia says they need more staff and resources.
7 months ago
Listen 12:02Air pollution at Philadelphia’s 15th Street subway station ‘considerably higher’ than EPA standard
Local researchers say it’s unclear what the health impact is, but public transit is still preferable to driving.
7 months ago