About the Author: Elisabeth King

Elisabeth King is a science interpreter for the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. In Panama since 1992, Beth bridges the gap between research scientists and diverse audiences. She has created bilingual exhibitions, written press releases and fielded questions from reporters, hosted journalists and presented STRI research to audiences ranging from school kids to ambassadors.

May

¡Feliz cumpleaños BCI!

Celebrating 100 Years of Tropical Biology at the Smithsonian’s Barro Colorado Island Research Station in Panama Continue reading ¡Feliz cumpleaños BCI!

Apr

Endowed directorship named in honor of Ira Rubinoff

The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute has named the endowed directorship of STRI for Director Emeritus, Ira Rubinoff. STRI director Matthew C. Larsen announced in March that the endowed directorship of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute is now named the Ira Rubinoff Director, in honor of STRI’s director emeritus. Larsen made the announcement via a video… Continue reading Endowed directorship named in honor of Ira Rubinoff

Mar

Manatee Appreciation Day: So near and yet sonar

All three of the world’s manatee species are threatened with extinction. Smithsonian scientists were the first to use sonar to estimate how many of these vulnerable animals are left. Continue reading Manatee Appreciation Day: So near and yet sonar

Jan

Go ahead and lick that toad. It’s good for you.

New research indicates that secretions produced by frogs and other amphibians may have pharmaceutical benefits. But we were kidding about licking toads–don’t do it, they don’t like it. Continue reading Go ahead and lick that toad. It’s good for you.

Jun

Science for Empowerment: Bringing indigenous people into a global carbon market

How do we avoid the deforestation caused by logging the rainforests? The way may lie in a melding of high tech and indigenous culture. Continue reading Science for Empowerment: Bringing indigenous people into a global carbon market

Mar

Why spiders are so good at browsing the web

If spider webs are so sticky, why don’t the spiders themselves stick to their webs? Answer that, science! Okay, we will. Continue reading Why spiders are so good at browsing the web

Jan

The first rule of monkey fight club…

You’d think superior numbers might help a large group of monkeys invade a smaller group’s territory. Not necessarily. Continue reading The first rule of monkey fight club…

Dec

A whole new meaning for ‘thinking on your feet’

Imagine that your brain, your delicious brain, was so huge it filled your body cavity and overflowed into your legs. Cool, huh? Continue reading A whole new meaning for ‘thinking on your feet’

Nov