WIB-Metro New York: The Power of Communication – From Science to Storytelling

On July 24, 2026, WIB-Metro New York hosted a virtual panel that brought together about 40 attendees, including participants in our Mentoring Circles program, eager to learn how a scientific background can open doors to a career in science communications. Speakers Jordana Lovett, Julia Castello, Dawn Fallon, and Nancie Steinberg, guided by moderator Pooja Vinay, walked the group through the many paths within the field—public relations, media relations, corporate communications, medical writing, and more—unpacking the nuanced differences between them. A common thread ran through the conversation: effective communication starts with truly understanding your audience, whether that's physicians, patients, payers, investors, or the media.

Panelists shared that scientific training, especially a PhD or research background, is far more transferable than many realize, building resilience, curiosity, and comfort with ambiguity that translate directly into strong communications work. They also emphasized that data alone doesn't tell the whole story—it takes clear objectives and a compelling narrative to make science resonate. One idea that clearly struck a chord with the room: AI can boost efficiency, but it can't replace human judgment or the very human flair that makes storytelling powerful.

One of WIB-Metro New York's main goals is career development at all stages of one's career. Our Mentoring Circles program is among our most popular, and, in addition to formal mentorship, includes open-to-all sessions like this one on different career paths in the life sciences.

Submitted by Wendy Diller