July 18, 2025

#350 How To Talk About DNA Without Losing People: Strategies Part 2

42 minutes

THIS IS PART TWO, go back and listen to Episode #345 for the first half of this conversation.

The co-founders of The Science Underground rejoin our host Kira Dineen for the second part of their conversation continued from Episode #345. This episode was also recorded in-person and discusses the importance of effective science communication in genetics and approaches to achieve this.

The Science Underground was founded by former NIH’s National Human Genome Research Institute communicators Jenny Montooth, Sarah Alex Bates, and Britny Kish.

Topics Discussed:

The Importance of Effective Science Communication

The Role of Humor and Pop Culture in Science

Creativity in Science Communication

Navigating Timeliness vs. Depth in Storytelling

The Y Chromosome: Myths and Misconceptions

Communicating Complex Genetics to Diverse Audiences

Celebrating Scientific Achievements: The T2T Project

The Importance of Teamwork in Big Science

Learning from Communication Failures

Effective Strategies for Science Communication

Advice for Scientists on Public Engagement

Engagement and Community Building

The Panel:

Alex Bates is a science communications expert with 20 years of experience leading national, metric-driven campaigns across government, nonprofit, and startup sectors. She is co-founder of The Science Underground, LLC, which crafts culturally competent, science-backed communications for early-stage startups and major consortia. Most recently, she served as Communications Director at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), where she led award-winning outreach on topics like the history of eugenics and helped establish NHGRI’s global reputation for innovative public engagement—work that ended with the April 1 HHS layoffs. Alex previously led communications for the National Science Foundation’s Engineering Directorate and BRAIN Initiative, earning Director’s Awards for both Excellence Pioneer and Diversity and Inclusion, and managed BrainFacts.org, a $1.2M science education initiative. She holds master’s degrees in journalism and astronomy, and a bachelor’s degree in physics and English.

Jenny Montooth is a science communications professional with a decade of experience making complex research engaging and accessible through innovative, culturally relevant strategies. She holds a master’s degree in public history from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she developed a passion for translating scholarship for broader audiences. As co-founder of The Science Underground, LLC, and former Lead Public Affairs Specialist at the National Human Genome Research Institute, Jenny has led nationally recognized outreach campaigns—including on the first complete human genome sequence- and earned multiple awards for her dynamic use of social media to bring science into the public conversation.

Britny Kish is co-founder of The Science Underground, leading administrative and financial operations to support the development of culturally aware, results-driven communications strategies for scientific organizations. Most recently, she served as Deputy Director of Communications at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), where she oversaw operations, budgeting, and campaign implementation, and played a key role in advancing equitable science communication and digital outreach. With over 15 years of experience in healthcare administration and communications, Britny specializes in program management, team leadership, and strategic communications, with additional expertise in virtual and exhibit event planning and management within the biomedical research space.

Resources/Links Mentioned:

Kira Dineen’s Invited NIH Talk: “Mastering the Mic: Interview Strategies for Science Communicators”

NHGRI’s Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T)

NHGRI’s Pangenome Project

NHGRI’s “How to Sequence a Human Genome in 7 'Easy' Steps!” Full Video

TIME100: The Most Influential People of 2025

“The Complete Sequence of a Human Y Chromosome” Nature Paper 2023

DNA Today Referenced/Relevant Episodes:

#34 Henrietta Lacks Relatives Interviewed About Their Grandmother’s Cells’ Impact

#182 Eric Green on the Complete Human Genome Project

#183 Dr. Miga and Dr. Phillippy on the Telomere to Telomere (T2T) Consortium

#100 Carl Zimmer on Human Heredity

#214 2022 Genetics Wrapped with Eric Green

#260 PhenoTips: Population Genomics in Clinical Practice (with Dr. Eric Green)

#266 Genetics Wrapped 2023 with Dr. Eric Green

#287 Familial Hypercholesterolemia with Jess and NIH’s Julie Sapp

#306 NIH’s Dr. Francis Collins’ Leadership in the Human Genome Project and COVID-19

#318 Genetics Wrapped 2024: Top Advances in Genomic Medicine (with Dr. Eric Green)

Most importantly check out The Science Underground! If you have genetics research or a project you are trying to inform people about Britny, Jenny and Alex are THE people to work with. They have already been helping us out at DNA Today and our new podcast network, Gene Pool Media. You can follow them on social media @TheScienceUnderground, including on Instagram, BluSky, and LinkedIn.

While you wait, why not dive into our library of over 350 episodes? Binge them all on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you love to listen—just search “DNA Today.”

Prefer watching? We’ve got you covered! For the past four years, we’ve been recording episodes with video, including some filmed at the iconic NBC Universal Stamford Studios. Check them out on our YouTube channel!

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . Our Video Lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Social Media Lead is Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC.

See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), BluSky, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected].

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