Dr. Kelly Weinersmith

Dr. Kelly Weinersmith is a biologist, writer, and podcaster whose work connects scientific research with accessible science communication. Weinersmith earned a doctorate in ecology from the University of California, Davis, and serves as an adjunct faculty member in the BioSciences Department at Rice University. She is also an alumni collaborator with the Parasite Ecology Group at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her research centers on parasites that manipulate the behavior of their hosts, including the co-discovery of Euderus set, commonly known as the crypt-keeper wasp. This research demonstrated how the crypt-keeper wasp parasitizes gall wasps, manipulating them into plugging exit holes with their heads.

Weinersmith has contributed to popular science literature as co-author of the books "Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That'll Improve And/Or Ruin Everything" and "A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through?" "Soonish" appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list and was recognized by Wall Street Journal and Popular Science. "A City on Mars" explores the scientific and ecological challenges of space settlement, drawing on Weinersmith's expertise in ecology and astrobiology. The book reached 11th place on The New York Times Best Seller list for hardback non-fiction.

"A City on Mars" received critical recognition, including a Hugo Award and the Royal Society Trivedi Book Prize. Weinersmith's research has been featured in The Atlantic, National Geographic, BBC World, Science, and Nature. She has also spoken at Smithsonian Magazine's Future Is Here Festival.

In addition to research and writing, Weinersmith is active in science communication through podcasting. She co-hosts the podcast "Daniel and Kelly's Extraordinary Universe" and is a regular co-host of "Science...sort of," a leading natural science podcast. "Daniel and Kelly's Extraordinary Universe" is produced by iHeart. Through her work in biology, ecology, and science communication, Weinersmith engages audiences in topics ranging from behavioral ecology to space exploration.