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Danielle Gerhard, PhD

Danielle earned her PhD in psychology and behavioral neuroscience from Yale University and held a postdoctoral research position in neuroscience and psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine. During her graduate and postgraduate training she examined cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying stress and depression. In April 2023, Danielle joined The Scientist’s Editorial Team as an Assistant Editor.

Articles by Danielle Gerhard, PhD

Blue DNA chain surrounded by ones and zeroes and in the middle of a series of blue circles.

Hidden Messages in DNA Could Reduce Biosecurity Risks

Danielle Gerhard, PhD | Oct 15, 2024 | 7 min read

To improve traceability and enable authentication of synthetic nucleic acid sequences, researchers are embedding digital signatures into DNA.

Rows of old, microbe-covered headstones in a misty graveyard with two leafless trees in the background.

Microbial Tales from the Crypt

Danielle Gerhard, PhD | Oct 15, 2024 | 2 min read

Rock-dwelling bacteria and eukaryotes live in the company of the dead by feeding on tombstones.

Black and gold sketch of Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, the 2024 Nobel Prize laureates.

Nobel Prize for microRNA

Danielle Gerhard, PhD and Sneha Khedkar | Oct 7, 2024 | 4 min read

Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun won this year’s Physiology or Medicine award for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation.

Two hands holding tweezers and dissecting single points in a DNA sequence.

From CRISPR to Prime Editing: The Evolution of the Genome Editing Revolution

Danielle Gerhard, PhD | Sep 17, 2024 | 5 min read

Even as CRISPR-based tools become a lab staple, scientists strive to tackle the associated technological challenges to improve their efficacy and safety.

Collection of green and blue proteins with different conformations on a black background.

The Dynamic Lives of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins

Danielle Gerhard, PhD | Sep 13, 2024 | 10+ min read

Shapeshifting proteins challenge a long-standing maxim in biology.

Infographic depicting the variety of conformations that proteins can assume and how this facilitates multifunctionality.

Infographic: Shapeshifters in the Proteome

Danielle Gerhard, PhD | Sep 13, 2024 | 2 min read

Textbooks often depict proteins as nicely folded three-dimensional structures, but many proteins are far from it.

Photo of the Capitol Building in Washington DC.

From Lab Coat to Legislation

Danielle Gerhard, PhD | Sep 2, 2024 | 2 min read

Following graduate school, Sarah Carter headed to Washington, DC to carve out a career in science policy.

Cartoon of a young girl sitting at a table looking at a collection of cartoon viruses.

Crafting Science Stories for Young Audiences

Danielle Gerhard, PhD | Sep 2, 2024 | 7 min read

Finding a narrative that resonates with the audience and serving it in their preferred format helps make science engaging, relatable, and fun.

In the foreground, a magnifying glass hovers over a strand of DNA, revealing information hidden in the sequence. Binary code and silhouettes of people are in the background.

Biotechs Bolster Biosecurity to Safeguard the Future of Nucleic Acid Sequencing

Danielle Gerhard, PhD | Aug 22, 2024 | 10 min read

Synthetic DNA can pose significant biosecurity risks. Experts call for more screening by providers and institutions to mitigate security concerns.

Hand holding a golden pipette.

The Golden Pipette

Danielle Gerhard, PhD | Aug 1, 2024 | 2 min read

Science plays the long game, but Adrian Liston celebrates the small achievements his team makes along the way.

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