#SoCaltech: Lori Dajose

“I decided I wanted to be some sort of science educator when I was in fifth grade after I happened to watch a PBS documentary about string theory featuring Maria Spiropulu. Of course, I barely understood any of it, and neither of my parents were in scientific fields at all, but I got hooked on the idea of explaining how the universe worked, as if I were a science-y Elle Woods.

“Fast forward several years (and one detour into thinking I wanted to be a hairdresser), and I was a first-year in the common area of what’s now known as Venerable House when I first picked up Caltech magazine. I remember thinking, ‘How cool would it be to be a science writer.’

“When I started this job as an editorial assistant in 2015, freshly rejected from multiple grad school programs, I really did not expect to stay more than a few years. But this is a very special place: Can you believe I get paid to learn and write about how our cells work, how our planet evolves, how we got to be here? I find so much joy in science writing, and my friends actually tease me about liking my job so much.”

Lori Dajose (BS ’15) is a content and media strategist in the Office of Communications and External Relations whose stories about science can be found both on Caltech.edu and in Caltech magazine.

#SoCaltech is an occasional series celebrating the diverse individuals who give Caltech its spirit of excellence, ambition, and ingenuity. Know someone we should profile? Send nominations to magazine@caltech.edu.