Alison Fromme publishes in magazines and newspapers, creates materials for educational publishers, writes newsletters for organizations, and contributes to books.
Alison has researched snails in New Zealand and Australia, collected oceanographic data off the coast of Honduras, taught high school science in Massachusetts, led ecotours in Mexico and Curacao,
and trekked around Costa Rica, Chile, Mexico, various Caribbean Islands, and several
European countries.
In her essay "The Watery Womb," Alison explores the meaning of six weeks of seasickness.
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Education
Washington State University, M.S. Zoology May 2004
Cornell University, B.S. Biology May 1999
Sea Education Association, Woods Hole, MA, Spring 1998
Experience
Freelance Writer and Consultant, Ithaca, NY August 2004-present
Self-employed writer of magazine articles, website content, and books, with specialization in the life sciences and environment. Magazine writing published in popular magazines and trade journals. Clients include PBS, McDougal Littell, Public Library of Science, and Glencoe. Manage all aspects of small business, such as sales, accounting, marketing, and recordkeeping.
Research Assistant, Washington State University, Pullman, WA September 2002-May 2004
Planned and executed research on the freshwater New Zealand mud snail, Potamopyrgus antipodarum, and its parasite, Microphallus sp. Collected specimens throughout New Zealand and Australia and organized hundreds of samples. Maintained live infection experiments. Conducted DNA analyses. Effectively worked with colleagues in
close quarters at a field station. Supervised undergraduate assistants. Invited to speak at two conferences.
Eco-Tour Leader, Atlantis Marine World Aquarium, NY September 2001-July 2002
Developed, advertised, coordinated, and led two eco-tours for K-12 teachers in Akumal, Mexico and Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. Planned for all group travel needs. Managed a $10,000 budget. Obtained NYS approval to award professional development credit. Taught underwater research methods and marine biology.
Science Teacher, Methuen High School, Methuen, MA September 1999-June 2002
Taught biology and physical science to ~330 9-12 graders, including Advanced Placement. Obtained donated materials worth $1,500. Participated in a Lehigh University NSF-funded study on technology and education. Team-taught with Special Education teachers. Consistently received positive evaluations from supervisors, parents, and students. Received accelerated certification from the Massachusetts Institute for New Teachers.
Additional Experience
Teaching Assistant, Biological Sciences, WSU, Pullman, WA Fall 2002
Curriculum Developer, Methuen High School, Methuen, MA 2001, 2000
Communications Intern, The National Zoo, Washington, D.C. 1998
Conference Presentations
American Fisheries Society (CA/NV), Sacramento, CA, 2005, Can Parasites Control California’s New Zealand Mudsnail Problem? (invited speaker)
American Association for the Advancement of Science, Seattle, WA 2004, Infecting the Uninfectible: Examining Parasite Resistance of Invasives in a Snail-Trematode System (poster presentation).
P. antipodarum in the Western U.S., MT 2003, Studies of a Trematode Parasites for Biocontrol of an Invasive Freshwater Snail (presentation).