This spring, UCSB graduate student Menaka Wilhelm was awarded a AAAS Mass Media Fellowship to ​​work for WIRED magazine in San Francisco as a science journalist. She's now finishing up her summer at WIRED, where she has reported on a wide range of scientific topics, including the atmospheric chemistry of wildfires and the epidemiology of the MERS virus. The full list of her work at WIRED is here. 

This highly competitive program strengthens the connections between scientists and journalists by placing advanced undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate level science, engineering and mathematics students at media organizations nationwide.The fellowship program is designed to enhance coverage of science-related issues in the media in order to improve public understanding and appreciation of science and technology. Read more about the program here.

Menaka completed her Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering this spring, advised by Professor Megan Valentine.