Thank you for visiting my website! My name is Isabel Torres, and I’m a science communicator and founder of Pretty Smart Science. My science journey began in high school when I saw cells under a microscope for the first time. I was so mesmerised that my teacher had to kick me out of class! In school I always enjoyed learning science, and I was lucky to have inspiring biology teachers who gave me the confidence to pursue a scientific career.
After I moved to the UK to do a summer internship in a lab, I never went back- research was so much fun! I did a PhD at the University of Cambridge and then a postdoc at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology studying how cells acquire different shapes and how important this process is for embryonic development. And because life never goes according to plan, I then discovered that more than doing science, I love explaining science.
My love affair with science communication began during my postdoc, when I got involved in several projects, such as running a science film festival and creating a resource website for setting up fun activities with microscopes that has about 35k visitors every month!
When I moved to France I also started writing about science, and now my science journey has brought me to Pretty Smart Science. Between my day job as an academic editor and freelance science writer, and my 24/7 job as a mom-of-4, I’m doing what I really, really love.
I’m also very passionate about promoting women in STEM and advocating for gender equality. Besides featuring extraordinary women scientists in this website, I co-founded Mothers in Science, a non-profit organisation that aims to retain women in STEM careers by providing support and raising awareness of gender stereotypes, motherhood bias, and other barriers preventing women with children from progressing in their STEM careers.
Thanks again for visiting my website and welcome to the family!
Every adult was once a curious child, so I believe there is an innate scientist in all of us.
AIMS OF PRETTY SMART SCIENCE
⇒Promote critical thinking and empower the public to make informed everyday life decisions
⇒Instigate curiosity and a love of learning by making science fun and accessible to everyone
⇒Encourage women to pursue and stay in a science career and advocate for gender equality
CONTRIBUTORS
Annora Thoeng
Operations manager
Nora joined the Pretty Smart Science team in May 2019 to gain experience as a science writer. After co-producing a few videos with Isabel, she began taking more responsibilities as a content producer and operations manager. Nora is a research technician and communications officer at King’s College London, but she’s also a vintage clothing lover, a true crime enthusiast, and a watercolour and bullet journal addict. Nora was born in Indonesia, attended university and worked in Australia for a total of 13 years, and now lives in London, UK. She also owns her own science history blog at Vintage Pillbox. You can follow Nora on Twitter and Instagram.
Holly Turner
Writer
Holly is a researcher and technical content writer based in Norway. She has a PhD in geology/palaeontology and a broad fascination for the natural sciences, from the microscopic world to terraforming Mars. Holly is keen to branch out into science communication and hopes to showcase recent science advances as well as the scientists behind the headlines. Follow Holly on Twitter and Instagram, and check her research on dating past climate changes.
Catarina Moreno
Illustrator
Catarina is a graphic designer and illustrator based in Lisbon, Portugal. She works mainly in branding, advertising, editorial and events, but also loves to express herself through illustration. Besides her graphic design background, she studied children’s books illustration and had drawing lessons with the artist Jorge Calero. She’s a mother of two, a retired soprano and a baking lover. Follow Catarina on Twitter and Instagram and check her portfolio here.
Mira Sytsma
Writer
Mira is a wildlife ecologist and science communicator based in Seattle, USA. She’s currently a Mammalogist at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture and a Science Communication Fellow with the Pacific Science Center, where she develops hands-on activities about her wildlife research. When she’s not thinking about animals, you can find her on a run, out in the mountains, or in the kitchen testing out new recipes for her food blog. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Francisco Figueiredo
Software Developer
Francisco is a software developer and AI (artificial intelligence) researcher based in Lisbon, Portugal. After completing a degree in Social Sciences, he decided to pursue a long time passion as a self-taught computer programmer. He develops applications mainly for the stock market and banking institutions and on the side he works on robotics and AI research. He’s a marathon runner, a vegetarian and an animal rights activist. Follow Francisco on Instagram.
Tori Delaine
Writer
Tori is a science writer based in Colorado, USA. After getting a PhD in neuroscience, she realised that she enjoys sharing science way more than actually doing science. She’s a blogger, freelance and institutional science writer with a love of writing about science history and the brain. She’s also a fan of sports, 90s music, and podcasts. Follow Tori on Twitter and check her portfolio here.
Alejandra Enriquez
Writer
Alejandra is a graduate student at the College of Charleston in Charleston, US. Her MSc research focuses on deep sea bacteria that can live and make rust in salt marshes. Alejandra is also passionate about marine biology, and she volunteers at the NOAA marine mammal lab. She’s an art lover and hopes to incorporate her art into science communication through science illustration. Follow Alejandra on Twitter and Instagram and buy her science artwork here.
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