Ari Daniel

Ari Daniel is a science and environment reporter for PRI's The World and many museum, non-profit, academic and news organizations. He is passionate about telling human stories about science and empowering others to do the same.

I've always loved science. As a graduate student, I trained gray seal pups (Halichoerus grypus) for my Master's degree at the University of St. Andrews and helped tag wild Norwegian killer whales (Orcinus orca) for my Ph.D. at MIT and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. 

These days, as a science reporter, I record a species that I'm better equipped to understand — Homo sapiens.  My radio stories have been featured on PRI’s The World, Radiolab, and NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered. In the fifth grade, I won the “Most Contagious Smile” award.

Two students working on a computer

Texas A&M is shutting down its Qatar campus amid charges of a disinformation campaign

In the two decades since Texas A&M opened a campus in Doha, there have been plenty of challenges, including ongoing conflicts in the region. The school also faced criticisms because it operated under the autocratic Qatari government and censorship is common. But the partnership brought in millions of dollars and the campus flourished. So, Qataris were stunned when the Texas A&M Board of Regents voted to close the school in part because of "instability" in the region.

Texas A&M is shutting down its Qatar campus amid charges of a disinformation campaign
beach

Why corals in American Samoa are thriving despite warmer oceans 

Why corals in American Samoa are thriving despite warmer oceans 
Barnacle geese have developed new migration routes and breeding grounds amid warming global temperatures. 

Animal species are evolving to adjust to climate change, but scientists say time is running out

Animal species are evolving to adjust to climate change, but scientists say time is running out
woman at computer

‘Out of reach’: Over 40 academic editors leave global publishing company they say overcharged to publish their work

‘Out of reach’: Over 40 academic editors leave global publishing company they say overcharged to publish their work
buildings collapsed in rubble

The geology behind the deadly earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

The geology behind the deadly earthquakes in Turkey and Syria
Today, Rami is a resident at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, where he sees patients with numerous ailments, including COVID-19.

After years apart, this Syrian doctor in New York is finally celebrating Ramadan with his family

Saturday evening marks the end of Ramadan. Even though Rami is putting in long hours treating patients with the coronavirus, he’s thankful for a more traditional celebration of Ramadan — with his wife and young son.

After years apart, this Syrian doctor in New York is finally celebrating Ramadan with his family
Observers in southern Iceland stand watch, scanning the sea for killer whales. 

Research on whales, cosmos among many studies derailed by pandemic

All over the world, the scientific community is feeling the impact of the coronavirus, both in the field and in the laboratory. In some cases, research has been paused or discontinued. For some, it means changing plans — staying put instead of going abroad, or not being able to return home.   

Research on whales, cosmos among many studies derailed by pandemic
A team of researchers at the Vanderbilt Vaccine Center selects lead antibody candidates for further screening.

Racing to develop a drug to fight COVID-19

Doctors in China and the US have transfused antibodies from recovered patients directly into the blood of people with severe cases of COVID-19. Dr. Mario Ostrowski and his collaborators want to identify the genes that encode these antibodies and use them to mass produce lab-grown versions — to turn into a drug to treat the infection.

Racing to develop a drug to fight COVID-19
The author's 3-year-old daughter Leila has been occupying herself during the "stay at home" order in Boston amid the coronavirus outbreak by making cards and beaded necklaces for her preschool friends. 

How families around the world talk coronavirus with kids

It’s hard explaining to kids what COVID-19 is, much less the new restrictions that come with it. Reporter Ari Daniel spoke to a bunch of families all over the world about their challenges and how they’re making do.  

How families around the world talk coronavirus with kids
Building

In Iceland, turning CO2 into rock could be a big breakthrough for carbon capture

About a half hour east of Reykjavik, the ground seethes with steam — a bizarre, thick fog pouring out of the pebbly earth.

In Iceland, turning CO2 into rock could be a big breakthrough for carbon capture
A man is perched atop a propeller of a small twin engine plane on a tarmac. The plane is bright cherry red.

At sea and in the sky, scientists brave wicked weather to explore a key ocean current

The global circulatory system is incredibly complex, and parts of it, like the North Icelandic Jet, are barely understood. That's why these scientists are in Iceland in the dead of winter.

At sea and in the sky, scientists brave wicked weather to explore a key ocean current
Many silhouetted figures depicting the evolution of man

Where does language come from?

Humans are the only creatures on Earth that can choke on their own food. Yes, that’s right. Why would humans have evolved such potentially fatal architecture? Some experts say the reason is speech. This week on the podcast, we explore several theories about where language comes from.

Where does language come from?
Saturn has been Cassini's home for 13 years.

Farewell, Cassini

After more than 20 years, NASA today said goodbye to the Cassini space probe and sent it plunging into Saturn's atmosphere to burn up. It was the end of a remarkable mission that revealed deep secrets of the ringed planet and its many moons.

Farewell, Cassini
A school girl watches a partial solar eclipse at the Planetarium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, March 9, 2016.

What will we learn from this year's solar eclipse?

Over the centuries, solar eclipses have helped us learn about the Earth, the sun and the universe, and have proved the power of the scientific method itself.

What will we learn from this year's solar eclipse?
There are curious parallels between "love" between two particles and two people.

Love, quantum physics and 'entanglement'

The curious parallels between love and the bizarre — but potentially very useful — phenomenon called "quantum entanglement."

Love, quantum physics and 'entanglement'