
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
‘The family of Philadelphia’ came out to mourn 12 family members killed in Fairmount fire
Three sisters — Rosalee McDonald, Virginia Thomas, and Quinsha White — and nine of their children died in the blaze.
2 years ago
Philly hospitals ‘extremely stretched’ with COVID patients, but health officials see some hope
COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are still high in Philly overall, straining hospitals, city health officials said, but new positive cases are down slightly from last week.
2 years ago
I tested positive for COVID on a home test. How do I report it?
The quality of the test depends on the person using it, experts say. Yet some counties find the information useful for seeing the bigger picture.
2 years ago
Listen 3:31Losing Jennersville Hospital will mean longer trips to the nearest ER for southern Chesco residents
Some worry about what will happen if the closest emergency room is 40 minutes away, instead of 10 minutes.
2 years ago
Philly police, A.G. tout reductions in shootings in some parts of West Philly
A record number of people have been murdered in Philly this year, but Police Commissioner Outlaw and A.G. Shapiro say there’s hope in a collaboration.
2 years ago
Why is it so hard to get a COVID booster these days?
Demand is high, and appointments in and around Philadelphia are at a premium right now. But super vaccination clinics probably won’t be back.
2 years ago
Jennersville and Brandywine hospitals in Chester County to close
Tower Health says a deal with Texas-based hospital management firm Canyon Atlantic Partners LLC has fallen apart and left it no options.
2 years ago
Pennsylvania Supreme Court says school mask mandate can stay for now
Pennsylvania’s school mask mandate was set to expire on Saturday. Now, the state Supreme Court said the mandate can stay in place while a lawsuit plays out.
2 years ago
How a lawsuit against TerraCycle shows the limits of recycling trash in the U.S.
Critics say the way we recycle doesn’t work with plastic waste, which the U.S. produces more of than any other country, sending most of it to landfills.
2 years ago
Listen 5:05One farm tried to make sustainable food affordable. Here’s what happened
At Sylvanaqua Farms, Chris Newman tried to address two big problems with U.S. agriculture. But as some workers saw it, he was a problem too.
2 years ago
Listen 17:57Why COVID-19 hot spots are still happening — and how to prevent them
Seemingly anomalous COVID hot spots crop up, often where vaccination rates are high overall. Is there something localities can do to avoid it?
2 years ago
Listen 3:292021 Election: N.J. judge denies request to keep polls open later
In New Jersey, the governor’s race tops the ticket. In Pa., there are judicial contests and suburban school board races.
2 years ago