About Us

For the science geek in everyone, Live Science breaks down the stories behind the most interesting news and photos on the Internet, while also digging up fascinating discoveries that hit on a broad range of fields, from dinosaurs and archaeology to wacky physics and astronomy to health and human behavior. If you want to learn something interesting every day, Live Science is the place for you.

Our Mission and History

To empower and inspire our readers with the tools needed to understand the world and appreciate its everyday awe.

Live Science launched in 2004, with just three team members, as a complement to the space and astronomy news site Space.com. The site received Webby Awards as an Honoree in the Science category in 2008 and 2010. It was acquired by TechMediaNetwork, later called Purch, in 2009. In 2018, Future plc acquired Live Science's parent company Purch.

Starting in 2010, Live Science spun out sister sites to cover three of its most popular topics in greater depth: Life's Little Mysteries, MyHealthNewsDaily and OurAmazingPlanet. In the spring of 2013, the sites were rolled back into Live Science to make a more useful and interesting single site.

To find the most fascinating stories, our staff digs through science journals big and small, and keeps up with what the top institutions are working on, while figuring out how discoveries and achievements may affect our readers. We also make sure to answer your burning questions about the science behind the news, from hyped-up health claims and weird animal photos, to the top Reddit posts and other trending stories on social media.

Who We Are

Sarah Rafati Howard, Managing Director

Gemma Lavender, Content Director

Jeanna Bryner, Editor-in-Chief ([email protected])

Tia Ghose, Managing Editor ([email protected])

Laura Geggel, Channel Editor, History/Archaeology ([email protected])

Rachael Rettner, Channel Editor, Health ([email protected])

Mindy Weisberger, Channel Editor, Animals/Planet Earth ([email protected])

Brandon Specktor, Senior Writer ([email protected])

Nicoletta Lanese, Staff Writer ([email protected])

Ben Turner, Staff Writer ([email protected])

Patrick Pester, Staff Writer ([email protected])

Harry Baker, Staff Writer ([email protected])

Judi Stroh, Senior Video Producer ([email protected]) 

James Price, Production Editor ([email protected])

Jeanna Bryner

Editor-in-Chief

Jeanna is the editor-in-chief of Live Science. Previously, she was an assistant editor at Scholastic's Science World magazine. Jeanna has an English degree from Salisbury University, a master's degree in biogeochemistry and environmental sciences from the University of Maryland, and a graduate science journalism degree from New York University. She has worked as a biologist in Florida, where she monitored wetlands and did field surveys for endangered species. She also received an ocean sciences journalism fellowship from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Tia Ghose

Managing Editor

Tia is the assistant managing editor and was previously a senior writer for Live Science. Her work has appeared in Scientific American, Wired.com and other outlets. She holds a master's in bioengineering from the University of Washington, a graduate certificate in science writing from UC Santa Cruz and a bachelor's in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Tia was part of a team at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that published the Empty Cradles series on preterm births, which won multiple awards, including the 2012 Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism.

Laura Geggel

Channel Editor, History/Archaeology

Laura is an editor at Live Science. She edits Life's Little Mysteries and reports on general science, including archaeology and animals. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Scholastic, Popular Science and Spectrum, a site on autism research. She has won multiple awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association for her reporting at a weekly newspaper near Seattle. Laura holds a bachelor's degree in English literature and psychology from Washington University in St. Louis and an advanced certificate in science writing from NYU.

Rachael Rettner

Channel Editor, Health

Rachael has been with Live Science since 2010, covering all things health, from the COVID-19 pandemic to cancer to medical case reports. She has a master's degree in science and health journalism from New York University's Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program. She also holds a B.S. in molecular biology and an M.S. in biology from the University of California, San Diego. Her work has appeared in Scienceline, The Washington Post and Scientific American.

Mindy Weisberger

Channel Editor, Animals/Planet Earth

Mindy Weisberger is a Live Science senior writer covering a general beat that includes climate change, paleontology, weird animal behavior, and space. Mindy holds an M.F.A. in Film from Columbia University; prior to Live Science she produced, wrote and directed media for the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Her videos about dinosaurs, astrophysics, biodiversity and evolution appear in museums and science centers worldwide, earning awards such as the CINE Golden Eagle and the Communicator Award of Excellence. Her writing has also appeared in Scientific American, The Washington Post and How It Works Magazine.

Brandon Specktor

Senior Writer

Brandon has been a senior writer at Live Science since 2017, and he was formerly a staff writer and editor at Reader's Digest magazine. His writing has appeared in The Washington Post, CBS.com, the Richard Dawkins Foundation website and other outlets. He holds a bachelor's degree in creative writing from the University of Arizona, with minors in journalism and media arts. He enjoys writing most about space/astronomy, geoscience and the mysteries of the universe.

Nicoletta Lanese

Staff Writer

Nicoletta Lanese is a staff writer for Live Science covering health and medicine, along with an assortment of biology, animal, environment and climate stories. She holds degrees in neuroscience and dance from the University of Florida and a graduate certificate in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her work has appeared in The Scientist Magazine, Science News, The San Jose Mercury News and Mongabay, among other outlets.

Ben Turner

Staff Writer

Ben Turner is a U.K.-based staff writer at Live Science. He covers physics and astronomy, among other topics such as weird animals and climate change. He graduated from University College London with a degree in particle physics before training as a journalist. When he's not writing, Ben enjoys reading literature, playing the guitar and engaging in chess.

Patrick Pester

Staff Writer

Patrick Pester is a staff writer for Live Science. His background is in wildlife conservation and he has worked with endangered species around the world. Patrick holds a master's degree in international journalism from Cardiff University in the U.K. and is currently finishing a second master's degree in biodiversity, evolution and conservation in action at Middlesex University London.

Harry Baker

Staff Writer

Harry is a U.K.-based staff writer at Live Science. He studied Marine Biology at the University of Exeter (Penryn campus) and after graduating started his own blog site "Marine Madness," which he continues to run with other ocean enthusiasts. He is also interested in evolution, climate change, robots, space exploration, environmental conservation and anything that's been fossilized. When not at work he can be found watching sci-fi films, playing old Pokemon games or running (probably slower than he'd like). 

Judi Stroh

Senior Video Producer

Judi has been making videos for Live Science and Space.com since 2017. Before that she interviewed celebrities at EW.com and clowned around with comedians at CC.com (where she created the Emmy-winning series "The Daily Show Correspondents Explain"). She hails from Houston and got a bachelor's of science from the University of Texas College of Communications where she made her first documentary about a deaf family.

James Price

Production Editor

James is Live Science’s production editor and is based near London in the U.K. Before joining Live Science, he worked on a number of magazines, including How It Works, History of War and Digital Photographer. He also previously worked in Madrid, Spain, helping to create history and science textbooks and learning resources for schools. He has a bachelor’s degree in English and History from Coventry University.

Contact Us

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Phone: +1 (212) 378-0400

If you have any questions, concerns or feedback regarding the site, please feel free to contact us at: [email protected].

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Live Science is part of Future PLC. The site and overall company are fiercely committed to protecting your privacy. Please see our in-depth privacy policy (https://www.futureplc.com/privacy-policy/) to find out more.

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Live Science is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (which regulates the UK's magazine and newspaper industry). We abide by the Editors' Code of Practice and are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. 

If you think that we have not met those standards and want to make a complaint please contact [email protected]. If we are unable to resolve your complaint, or if you would like more information about IPSO or the Editors’ Code, contact IPSO on 0300 123 2220 or visit www.ipso.co.uk.