Gail Dutton
Verified
As seen in:
Forbes,
Substack,
Flipboard,
Big Think,
Discover Magazine,
The Scientist,
Genetic Literacy Project,
Data Center Knowledge,
NewsBreak,
Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News
and
Covers:
I cover life sciences, technology and policy. I also have covered training and logistics earlier in my career.
Dutton is a journalist, writing for GEN, Leaps, LabManager, Training and other publications.
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
I was a reporter for my college newspaper, then interned at my hometown newspaper. My first post-college job was editing research grants.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
I have used a typewriter in college but, thankfully, they were replaced by computers early in my career.
Why did you become a journalist?
I became a journalist because I love talking with people at the leading edge of their professions, who are excited about their work.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I worked for my college newspaper and loved the camaraderie and the ability to access original sources.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
The elite controller story that appeared in The Scientist several years ago. It captures the excitement of the research and its implications.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Read all sorts of topics from many sources. Ask, "Why?"
When's the best time to pitch you?
I prefer email, so the time is irrelevant.
What's your favorite drink?
I love iced tea, with lots of lemon, so possibly it's really lemon, flavored with tea.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Hiking, playing racquetball, cooking, or reading. Exercise is vital.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
I like the Wall Street Journal and the BBC online.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
Probably that science is too technical for non-scientists to understand.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.