
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 U.S. health care providers deal with hundreds of data breaches every year
Cyberattacks on health care providers in the U.S. have gone up steadily over the last decade, exposing the personal health data of millions of patients.
1 year ago
Listen 8:44How external researchers struggle to understand the ‘black box’ of Facebook
Facebook, like other social media companies, control all their data, so researchers either work with Facebook to access what data they can, or struggle on the outside.
1 year ago
Listen 10:15A disease wiped out a lot of Pennsylvania potatoes in 2016. Now research has found out how
After the 2016 outbreak, Penn State researchers collected samples from 26 potato fields in Pennsylvania to study the disease.
1 year ago
Listen 1:12Mütter Museum’s executive director tries to chart new paths despite criticism
Philadelphia's famous Mütter Museum of medical history started a national controversy in 2023 by removing all online exhibits and videos.
1 year ago
Listen 7:28Why archaeologists study virtual worlds from video games
There’s a growing field of academic study where archaeologists study virtual worlds, or work with game developers to recreate historical sites.
1 year ago
Listen 12:11COVID 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.
1 year 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.
1 year 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.
1 year 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.
1 year 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.
1 year 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.
1 year 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.
1 year ago
Listen 1:48