Karen Hoffmann                                                                         hoffkar at gmail.com

Pittsburgh, PA                                                                                  www.karen-hoffmann.com

 

 

EXPERIENCE

* Writing, Editing, Photo/Video, Translation, Media Relations, Project Management, Self-employed, 2005-Present

- Write news, feature, print and Web articles/marketing copy

- Experienced media relations professional

- Fast and accurate copyediting/proofreading

- Precise, fluid Spanish-English translation

- Award-winning photography

- Clients include Ashoka, UPMC Health Journal, Duquesne University Regenerative Medicine Partnership in Education, University of Pittsburgh, De Frente

 

* Manager of Strategic Communications, Natural Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Arts and Sciences, 2006-2008

- Managed marketing communications projects for departments, helping them to reach target audiences with key messages

- Wrote and edited copy for Web sites, newsletters, and brochures

- Coordinated design, photography, and production schedules

 

* Senior News Representative, University of Pittsburgh, 2004-2006

- Wrote news releases on Pitt science, engineering, and information science research

- Placed stories in international, national, and regional publications

 

* Staff Writer (Intern), Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2003

- Wrote articles for Science, Health, and Local News sections of major metropolitan daily newspaper

 

* Research Assistant, Carnegie Mellon Department of Biological Sciences and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, 2001-2002

- Studied neural plasticity in transgenic mice

- Processed MRI scans of schizophrenic patients and controls

 

EDUCATION

* Non-Degree, University of Pittsburgh College of General Studies, 2007

- Coursework in Spanish conversation, environmental geology, Web design

 

* Master of International Development (Coursework Only), Development Planning and Environmental Sustainability, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, 2005-2006

- Coursework in international development, statistics, microeconomics

 

* Bachelor of Arts, Professional Writing and Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, 2000-2004

- Graduated with College Honors for Outstanding Undergraduate Research

- Science & Technology Editor, The Tartan

- Writer, FOCUS

 

HONORS & AWARDS

* 2nd Place, Urban Revival, Green Up America Photo Contest, 2007

* Speaker, "Young Professionals in PR and Publicity" panel, Carnegie Mellon, 2005 and 2006

* 1st Place, Undergraduate, Alan and Gloria Siegel Award for Professional Writing, 2003

* Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Grant, 2002

* Joseph F. Mulach, Jr. and Louisa A. Mulach Scholarship, 2002-2004

* Carnegie Mellon Institutional Scholarship, 2000-2004

* Science and Humanities Scholar, 2000-2004

 

AFFILIATIONS

* Pittsburgh Science Writers, Founding Member, 2006-Present

* International Science Writers Association, 2005-Present

* National Association of Science Writers, 2002-Present

* Student Pugwash USA, science/technology and ethics group, 2001-2004

* Biology and Science & Humanities Scholars Student Advisory Councils, 2002-2004

* Women in Science, 2001-2004