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
Senior living, hotel to replace St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
Main Line Health plans to redevelop a 73-acre seminary in Wynnewood to build a health and wellness campus over the next 10 to 12 years.
2 years ago
Parks on Tap returns to Philly parks for the summer season
Parks on Tap, a series of pop-up beer gardens that go across the city, is back this summer. Part of the sales benefit city parks.
2 years ago
Local parents are depending on out-of-state networks to find baby formula
One New Jersey mother, whose son has a rare food allergy, has been relying on formula supplies from other families.
2 years ago
What can human bones, buried beneath a construction site, teach us about 18th century Philadelphia?
Scientists, archaeologists, and historians are documenting stories from those buried and uncovered at the former First Baptist Church cemetery site.
2 years ago
Listen 1:44Museums aren’t getting as many animal specimens. Scientists say that’s bad
The decline in new specimens is especially noticeable in the study of mammals. One journal article called it a “perfect storm” for the field.
2 years ago
Listen 9:16Delaware State Fair bans poultry exhibitors amid bird flu fears
The state Dept. of Agriculture said the ban is a precaution to prevent the spread of the serious avian flu spreading across the U.S. in recent months.
2 years ago
Biden appoints Philly’s Dr. Ala Stanford to lead regional Health and Human Services office
Stanford will take charge of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Region 3, covering Delaware, D.C, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
2 years ago
Handful of unvaxxed Philly police officers without exemption to be placed on leave, possibly fired
An arbitration panel in February decided that officers had to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or get a religious or medical exemption.
2 years ago
How backyard chicken owners are protecting their flocks from the deadly avian flu outbreak
Backyard chicken owners in Pennsylvania are taking extra precautions to protect their birds, which they see as pets, from getting infected from the deadly avian flu.
2 years ago
Listen 1:52Doctors oppose bill that would let pharmacists continue to vaccinate children after pandemic
A bipartisan bill aims to permanently allow pharmacists and trained pharmacy staff members to vaccinate children. Pennsylvania Medical Society doctors oppose it.
2 years ago
Listen 1:53City Council members call for wealth tax in Philadelphia
City Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Jamie Gauthier, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and local union leaders joined a virtual gathering on Tuesday in support of the bill.
2 years ago
How pharmacies and labs are scrambling to manage loss of federal COVID funds
Testing sites have had to turn people away now that they can’t bill the federal government. Vaccinators are bracing for a similar fate.
2 years ago
Listen 3:12