Resume

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Z. Irene Ying | Science Writer

+1 626.888.9464 | irene.ying@gmail.com | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ireneying/ 

Science writer with Master’s Degree in molecular biology and experience developing, editing, and publishing documents in topics including biomedical research, digital health, and clinical diagnostic devices. Reached audiences of 300,000+ through web, print, and social media.

Education

M.A. in molecular biology (2010) | Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
B.S. in biology (2006) | California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA

Skills

  • Media & Publishing: Canva, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro
  • Social media: X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
  • Microsoft Office: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams
  • Editing: Associated Press, APA

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Bhagwat A., Ying ZI., and Smith A. (2014) Evaluation of Ribosomal RNA Removal Protocols for Salmonella RNA-Seq Projects. Advances in Microbiology, 4, 25-32. DOI: 10.4236/aim.2014.41006

Bhagwat AA, Ying ZI, Karns J, and Smith A. (2013) Determining RNA quality for NextGen sequencing: some exceptions to the gold standard rule of 23S to 16S rRNA ratio. Microbiology Discovery, 1. DOI: 10.7243/2052-6180-1-10

Ju C, Yoon GM, Shemansky JM, Lin DY, Ying ZI, Chang J, Garrett WM, Kessenbrock M, Groth G, Tucker ML, Cooper B, Kieber JJ, Chang C. (2012) CTR1 phosphorylates the central regulator EIN2 to control ethylene hormone signaling from the ER membrane to the nucleus in Arabidopsis. PNAS, 109 (47):19486-91. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1214848109

Selected Experience

Scientific Technical Editor (Contractor), 10/2024–Present
The Networking and Information Technology R&D (NITRD) Program, Washington, DC
Coordinated the editing and publication of 10+ federal scientific reports on topics including digital health, AI/ML, big data, robotics, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, digital twins, privacy, and wireless spectrum for NITRD, a program operating under the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

  • Coordinated with 20+ stakeholders to edit and publish 10+ strategic plans, technical reports, public notices, and other federal-level publications, ensuring compliance with federal guidelines and internal standards (https://www.nitrd.gov/publications/)
  • Edited 20+ internal documents including newsletters, reports, and federal submissions for quality and accuracy
  • Developed new written style guide to ensure quality and consistency of internal and external publications

Communications Specialist (Contractor), 10/2020–9/2024
U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD
Developed, edited, and coordinated publication of 100+ pieces of biomedical research policy content to support NIH’s external/internal users and strategic goals. Received 2023 NIH Director’s Award.

  • On a daily basis, coordinated 3+ projects with stakeholders across multiple cross-functional federal offices to successfully meet multiple shifting deadlines
  • Developed and edited 100+ content pieces on NIH’s regulatory policies on research grants for quality and accuracy
  • Coordinated content development and successful launch of a website covering NIH policies regulating scientific data sharing (300k+ visitors in first 1.5 years).
  • Led successful migration of website providing NIH policy on sharing scientific publications
  • Wrote, edited, posted, and moderated regulatory policy content for NIH’s Extramural Nexus Blog (348,000+ subscribers)

Communications Coordinator, 11/2016—5/2019
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Managed social media channels and profiled research at the university’s College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences.

  • Conducted literature reviews and interviews to write 15+ press releases on research findings, receiving nationwide media coverage including in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, National Geographic, New Scientist and Popular Science
  • Launched college’s Instagram account in addition to conceiving and posting content to college’s social media accounts; total follower number increased 1000+
  • Produced e-newsletters sent to more than 30,000 alumni, students, faculty and staff

Technical Writer, 12/2015—10/2016
Phase Change, Golden, CO
Conceived, produced, wrote, and edited internal technical documentation for an AI software company.

  • Recorded and edited four training videos for new engineers describing how the company’s AI assists COBOL and Java software engineers
  • Interviewed engineers and conducted independent research to write three technical papers describing the mathematical and compiler specifications of software modules
  • Conceived and led development of an in-house style guide and glossary

Technical Writer (Freelancer), 6/2016—10/2016
SomaLogic, Boulder, CO
Documented statistical methods and data specifications of a novel protein biomarker discovery and clinical diagnostics platform.

  • Wrote a document and created graphics describing statistical methods for analyzing data yielded by company’s product
  • Revised reference documents describing statistical procedures and file specifications for company’s product
  • Developed an internal style guide to support consistent terminology in documentation for internal audiences as well as users of company’s product

Communications Specialist (Contractor), 8/2014—8/2015
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO
Supported renewable energy engineers by writing, editing, and managing technical publications for audiences including policymakers, engineers and the general public.

  • Project managed, created, and distributed 50+ periodic e-newsletters to business developers, policymakers and researchers
  • Wrote nomination package for NREL-developed biofuel that won 2015 R&D 100 and Editor’s Choice Awards