Kirsti Kivinen-Newman, BSc

Recently, I began a summer position as a Science Communicator (Exhibits) at Science North, Sudbury. Prior to this, I completed an internship at Science North and gained valuable experience in exhibit research, design and development.

I will be graduating with a Graduate Diploma in Science Communication (G.Dip.Sci.Comm.) at the end of June, 2006.

My background is an Honours Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from Laurentian University (2002).  For three summers I worked in the St. Catharines West Nile virus Research Lab and did a great deal of biological illustration.

Resume (PDF format)

Current projects with the Science Communication Programme...

Work Placement / Internship:

• As a part of the programme, I completed an 8-week internship through Science North. This internship put me on the design team for Ends of the Earth: From Polar Bears to Penguins, a travelling exhibition that will open in March of 2007 in conjunction with International Polar Year (IPY Canada).  

Visitor Studies Research:

• I am currently completing a 'grounded theory' study of the visitor experience at the Cochrane Polar Bear Conservation and Education Habitat, and will submit my final report at the end of June, 2006.

Side projects:

• Advertisement layout in PDF format - English, Français
• Organizing Committee - Roots & Shoots Conference, 2006
• Poster design - Poster for the Science Communication programme

My Passions...

• Photography - www.kirsti.ca
• Biological & scientific illustration - mosquito anatomy illustrations
• The biological sciences
• Entomology (I love insects!)
• The outdoors & travelling
• Making things by hand

• Exhibit and 'object theatre' design & development
• Risk communication
• Public health communication
• Scientific illustration

• Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge - by the National Science Foundation
  
• Beetle Science at Cornell University - the minute details of the carbon dust illustrations fascinate me.


• Quirks & Quarks - with host Bob McDonald on CBC Radio One.


• Phylotaxis - "an exploration of the space where science meets culture," by Jonathan Harris.


• Jane Goodall Institute - "advances the power of individuals to take informed and compassionate action to improve the environment of all living things."


• Roots & Shoots - founded by Dr. Jane Goodall, the program "emphasizes the principle that knowledge leads to compassion, which inspires action." The program works to "foster respect and compassion for all living things, to promote understanding of all cultures and beliefs, and to inspire each individual to take action to make the world a better place for people, animals, and the environment."


• Orangutan Foundation International - founded by Dr. Biruté Galdikas and Dr. Gary Shapiro, the foundation "promotes the dissemination of information about the orangutan and its plight in order to galvanize the public and policy-makers towards an appreciation of the ape's value and current dilemma so that it might be saved from extinction."
  
• Science Communication Blog: A friendly place... - the Science Communication students' blog