Hi, I'm Helen ✍️
I'm a freelance writer with an academic background in neuroscience, pharmacology and journalism. I most recently was a senior science writer for the UCLA Department of Medicine, where I penned internal communications, press releases, web content and much more. Before joining UCLA I covered preclinical research for Fierce Biotech.
I am also a former host and writer for Wisecrack, a YouTube channel with more than 3 million subscribers that teaches viewers about philosophy, history, science, and more through a comedy and pop culture lens. My work has appeared on Some More News as well.
I have also worked in senior product and content development roles at True, a social app, and was lead social media producer at Celestial Citizen. I began my writing career at the San Fernando Valley Business Journal, where I reported on healthcare, law, biotech and retail in the greater San Fernando Valley.
News
Metabolomics, checkpoint inhibitors, and immunophenotyping—oh my! Here are some samples of my work from my time at Fierce Biotech.
Video
I've written videos for Wisecrack, a YouTube channel that explores connections between philosophy and pop culture, and Some More News. Check out my YouTube channel for more.
Social Media
As lead social media producer at Celestial Citizen and its news outlet, Continuum, I oversaw content creation for Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. That included making videos and posts myself using Premiere Pro, Illustrator, After Effects and occasionally Canva. I also produced a short live series, Celestial Careers.
Check out the Celestial Citizen Instagram and Twitter accounts and the Continuum Instagram account for more.
Audio
For Fierce Biotech's podcast The Top Line, I interviewed structural chemist Martin Burke on his start-up Sfunga Therapeutics and its first drug: a potential replacement for the powerful but dangerous antifungal amphotericin B.
For Celestial Citizen's Continuum podcast, I provided voiceover for episodes written by Evan Yee.
Copywriting + UX Content Design
Copywriting
I have written web copy for an olive oil brand, an international grocer, a DJ, a therapist, and for a social app called True.
For specific copywriting samples, please contact me directly.
UX content design
Among the many hats I wore at True, my favorite was UX writing and content design. I collaborated with product designers to write UX content that helped people flow seamlessly from A to B to C, all the while maintaining a clear, friendly tone.
For specific UX writing samples, please reach out.
Press Releases + Thought Leadership
I've crafted press releases, though leadership pieces and keynote speeches for startup executives. Please contact me directly for samples.