15 June 2010
WASHINGTON—AGU is pleased to announce that Kathleen O’Neil, a journalist and media relations professional, has joined the society’s staff as Public Information Specialist. She will work with Peter Weiss, AGU’s Public Information Manager, and Maria-José Viñas, Public Information Specialist, to disseminate findings presented in AGU journals and meetings to the public, primarily through the media.
Before coming to AGU, Kathleen worked in media relations for the National Parks Conservation Association in Washington, D.C. She was also previously part of the communications staff of the University of Southern California, Connecticut Sea Grant, and City of Hope, a cancer research and treatment facility.
In her journalism career, Kathleen has most recently worked as a freelance radio reporter, contributing stories to NPR affiliate station WAMU and to Public Radio International’s “Living on Earth” program. Previously, she was a science reporter for the Post Register newspaper in Idaho, where she was recognized with awards from the Idaho Press Club, the Associated Press and the Society of Professional Journalists. Kathleen also reported for the Westport (Conn.) Minuteman and E/The Environmental Magazine.
Before taking up journalism, Kathleen worked an environmental scientist for an engineering firm, where she contributed to Superfund site cleanup efforts and ensuring environmental compliance on a large tunneling project.
Kathleen has a master’s in journalism from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she also taught writing. She has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Clark University in Worcester, Mass.
She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers and the Association of Independents in Radio, and served as a board member for the DC Science Writers Association.
Kathleen can be reached at 202-777-7524, or [email protected].