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KPLU “science guy” earns prestigious fellowship
August 09, 2007
KPLU health and science reporter Keith Seinfeld is heading off to the prestigious Massachusetts Institute for Technology in Cambridge, Mass., this September to begin a coveted nine-month fellowship.
Seinfeld was one of 10 journalists selected to receive the
Knight Science Journalism Fellowship, which targets reporters who wish to improve their coverage of science, technology, medicine or the environment. Other recipients include reporters from The New York Times and Forbes magazine, as well as international reporters from Australia, Dubai and Kampala.
Seinfeld said he’s excited about the fellowship and hopes it will sharpen his science reporting skills. He has worked at the Tacoma-based NPR station for a decade, where he is also the assistant news director. He took over the science beat in 2003.
Seinfeld earned a bachelor’s degree in modern thought and literature and a master’s in education, both from Stanford University. Since neither of his degrees deal with science, he felt the fellowship was a chance to deepen his understanding of the beat, while taking a break from daily, or in the case of radio, hourly journalism.
“This is an opportunity for a change of pace,” said Seinfeld, as he was wrapping up loose ends on a few assignments during his last week at the station on Aug. 2. “I think this (fellowship) will give me a chance to have a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of my beat.”
Seinfeld will audit courses throughout the academic year and return to his job at KPLU next summer. The fellowship includes a $55,000 stipend and the luxury to study at both MIT and Harvard on whatever topic may catch his interest.
That may be biology or genetics, Seinfeld said. Or his studies may focus on the brain.
“I’m more and more intrigued and fascinated by the brain itself and neuroscience; that’s where my passion is,” he said.
Seinfeld, 41, lives in Seattle with his wife and eight-year-old son. His hobbies include jogging and bike riding.
Seinfeld said he’s excited about the fellowship and hopes it will sharpen his science reporting skills. He has worked at the Tacoma-based NPR station for a decade, where he is also the assistant news director. He took over the science beat in 2003.
Seinfeld earned a bachelor’s degree in modern thought and literature and a master’s in education, both from Stanford University. Since neither of his degrees deal with science, he felt the fellowship was a chance to deepen his understanding of the beat, while taking a break from daily, or in the case of radio, hourly journalism.
“This is an opportunity for a change of pace,” said Seinfeld, as he was wrapping up loose ends on a few assignments during his last week at the station on Aug. 2. “I think this (fellowship) will give me a chance to have a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of my beat.”
Seinfeld will audit courses throughout the academic year and return to his job at KPLU next summer. The fellowship includes a $55,000 stipend and the luxury to study at both MIT and Harvard on whatever topic may catch his interest.
That may be biology or genetics, Seinfeld said. Or his studies may focus on the brain.
“I’m more and more intrigued and fascinated by the brain itself and neuroscience; that’s where my passion is,” he said.
Seinfeld, 41, lives in Seattle with his wife and eight-year-old son. His hobbies include jogging and bike riding.