SciComm Spotlights! Elsa Jos

SciComm Spotlights April 2025 

Our newest edition of C&E Section SciComm Spotlights features our wonderful co-chair, Elsa Jos. Read on to find out how Elsa’s research lead to her dive into science communication.

Elsa is a PhD student in Ecology and Biology at Utah State University. For her PhD she’s studying how fruit traits, morphological and chemical, influences fruit removal and dispersal. Her work involves a combination of field work, experiments and lab analyses. Before this she got her Masters in 2017 from Pondicherry University, where she studied the ecological significance of touch-sensitive stigmas. Elsa hopes to collaborate with the other sections of ESA. As a graduate student, she’s also interested in building a resource to share graduate student journeys to help enhance graduate school experiences.

Elsa’s Career & SciComm Journey

Could you describe your current position?

I’m currently getting a doctorate in Biology and Ecology at Utah State University. For my PhD, I am studying how fruit traits, morphological and chemical, influence fruit removal and thereby seed dispersal. As a graduate research assistant and teaching assistant, I spend about half of my time on my research and half on helping teach classes or labs. My research involves a combination of field work, experiments and lab analyses in Utah and Panama. Read more about my work here.

Could you take us through your career journey?

After I finished my undergraduate degree in Biology, I worked as a research assistant for a couple of years to explore different areas of research. Plant-animal interactions piqued my interest and so I pursued a master’s in Ecology. I did another year as a research assistant before moving to Utah for my PhD.

How did you start stepping into science communication?

I am actually pretty new to the science communication world. I got interested as I interacted with a lot of students in various classes I teach, often explaining science concepts and my own research to them and to family and friends. Later I helped with activities at ‘Science Unwrapped’ which is my current university, USU’s, community outreach event. This event brings in a lot of families together with kids. Also I run the social media account as a part of the leadership team of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) Chapter  at USU. 

What types of science communication do you focus on?

I would say I’m still exploring different options. I enjoy one-on-one interactions explaining concepts. I also enjoy using simple activities to bring in curiosity, at outreach events. I enjoy writing and am hoping to write more  and explore science writing as I get closer to finishing up my PhD. 

Additional Q&A for Elsa

What is your dream for our section as the co-chair?

One of my dreams is continuing to have and expand our connections with other ESA sections. I would love for our section members to get to know each other better and be able to support each other on new project ideas or with venturing into science communication. I hope that we can get more member inputs on event ideas (especially year round virtual ones) to help gauge interests and needs, and try to meet them. It would be great to eventually have more member-lead events too. 

What are some things you’re planning on this year?

We had an amazing turn out at our virtual event last year, and we are planning to host more virtual events this year. We are also excited to connect with you all at ESA soon!

Want to keep up with Elsa’s work? You can read about her research here or contact her via elsa.jos@usu.edu.  

The SciComm Spotlight Series aims to bring C&E Section members (and other scicomm professionals) to the spotlight and showcase all the wonderful science communication work they do. If you’re interested in a feature, or would like to recommend someone to be featured, please submit your contact info here!