theGrio’s 100: Dr. Danielle Lee, scientist who uses hip-hop as a learning tool

theGRIO's 100- Dr. Danielle Lee is a scientist who works in the biology field. She uses social media, informal experiential science experiences, and draws from hip hop culture to share science with general audiences, particularly under-served groups...

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Who is Danielle Lee?
 
Danielle Lee, Ph.D is a scientist whose specialty is the  field of biology. She describes herself as a Hip Hop mavin blogging on urban ecology, evolutionary biology and diversity in the sciences. She uses social media, informal science experiences and draws from hip hop culture to share science with general audiences, particularly under-served groups. She also runs the popular blog, “The Urban Scientist” which is published in Scientific American.
 
 Why is Daniel Lee in theGrio’s 100?
 
As more blacks begin to embrace social media, Lee uses her “The Urban Scientist” blog to reach out to like minded people who are health conscious and consider their bodies “a temple.”
 
Lee specializes in breaking down the old barriers that prevent inner-city communities from embracing the science and tech fields.
 
Another one of her  blogs, Urban Science Adventures, was the recipient of the 2009 Black Weblog Best Science or Tech Blog Award and her blog SouthernPlaylisticEvolutionMusic, explains evolutionary science through hip hop songs.
 
She is often sought out to discuss bridge-building opportunities to connect under-served audiences to science. Her honors include:
  • Huffington Post Science Scientists on Twitter: 30 Biologists and Chemists to Follow
  • Top Women in Science to Follow on Twitter – Under the Microscope
  • 2011 Black Weblog Awards Blogging Heroine – Niche Blogging in Science
  • 2011 Young Professional of the Year, Urban League Young Professionals of Metropolitan St. Louis
  • 2009 Diversity Scholar, American Institute
 
What’s next for Danielle Lee?
 
Lee’s extensive academic background, opens multiple ways to follow her passions. Holding multiple degrees, Lee will continue write and contribute to any publication that wants her expertise. She has been a featured panelist at Blogging While Brown, the largest concentration of minority bloggers in the country. You can reach her here.

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