Health and science storyteller
Maddie Burakoff
About Me
Hi! My name is Maddie Burakoff and I'm a journalist with a passion for writing about health, science and the environment.
I'm currently working as a science reporter for the Associated Press, where I've gotten to dig into fascinating questions like: What stories can ancient DNA uncover about our human history and the world that came before? How do you make a mummy? Why do mosquitoes always come for me? And what does it mean to "hear" gravitational waves?
I previously worked as a digital reporter for Spectrum News 1 in Milwaukee as part of the Report for America program. There, I covered public health and the COVID-19 pandemic along with other breaking news and environmental features. I've also freelanced for the New York Times COVID-19 data team and interned with Smithsonian magazine and CNN's Atlanta Bureau -- after getting my journalism training at Medill and my many hours at The Daily Northwestern.
So — thanks for stopping by, and please feel free to reach out if there's anything I can do for you!
Featured Work
Scientists have finally ‘heard’ the chorus of gravitational waves that ripple through the universe (AP)
"Scientists have observed for the first time the faint ripples caused by the motion of black holes that are gently stretching and squeezing everything in the universe.
They reported Wednesday that they were able to 'hear' what are called low-frequency gravitational waves -- changes in the fabric of the universe that are created by huge objects moving around and colliding in space."
Their stories were lost to slavery. Now DNA is writing them (AP)
"In the 1700s, a boy was born into slavery in Colonial America. He spent his life working in the coastal city of Charleston, South Carolina. And when he died in middle age, he was buried alongside 35 other slaves.
That's the likely history that researchers have uncovered for the man -- there's no written record for him or the others buried at the long-forgotten site. Their names have been lost, along with any details of their lives. But their stories are now being told through what was left behind: bones, teeth and, especially, DNA."
Ancient DNA gives rare snapshot of Neanderthal family ties (AP)
"A new study suggests Neanderthals formed small, tightknit communities where females may have traveled to move in with their mates.
The research used genetic sleuthing to offer a rare snapshot of Neanderthal family dynamics -- including a father and his teenage daughter who lived together in Siberia more than 50,000 years ago."
Get in touch!
maddieburakoff (at) gmail (dot) com