Christine Pulliam

*** **** ****, ***. ***

Marlborough, MA 01752

abqe78@r.postjobfree.com

Day: 617-***-****, Evening: 508-***-****

SUMMARY

Lead groups in formal and informal settings, focusing efforts to achieve common goals.

Strategize best methods of achieving immediate and long-term coverage in a constantly

changing media landscape. Pitch articles to and maintain contacts with traditional and

new-media journalists. Plan and conduct news conferences and public events. Research

technical subjects and communicate them in understandable terms.

SKILLS

Media relations

Persuasively pitch stories to media contacts and track resulting coverage. Recent

top-rated stories include the discovery of the first Earth-sized planets (Dec. 2011),

prospects of detecting city lights from E.T. civilizations (Nov. 2011), and finding an

alien world blacker than coal (Aug. 2011).

Coach speakers and prepare supporting materials for press conferences.

Professionally represent employer at national and international conferences.

Serve as institutional spokesperson.

Science writing

Write attention-grabbing and accurate news releases. (See highlights above.)

Acted as contributing writer for Planets, Stars, and Galaxies: A Visual

Encyclopedia of our Universe (2007 National Geographic Children s Books).

Published freelance writings in Sky & Telescope magazine [ Project Moonwatch:

Satellite Tracking at the Dawn of the Space Age (Oct. 2007), Deciphering the

Globular Cluster Code (Mar. 2006)].

Event organization

Crossroads: The Future of Human Life in the Universe (2009). Arranged three-day,

off-site conference whose distinguished participants included Freeman Dyson, J.

Craig Venter, Juan Enriquez, and Peter Ward.

The Challenges and Rewards for Women in Science (2005). Planned five-woman

panel of astronomers to discuss generational changes in the field.

Mars Approaches (2003). Coordinated three-day series of evening lectures and sky

viewings. Lectures were repeated up to three times in a single night to accommodate

demand.

A Day at the Airport (2010). Conducted Marlboro Airport open house, the first

event of its kind in two decades, which drew 2,000 attendees. Boosted public

impression of a community airport and of general aviation.

Routinely schedule and support Observatory Night astronomy lectures, Author s

Nights, Sci-fi Movie Nights, and other public events.

Public speaking

Provided compelling lectures to external audiences, e.g. Alien Worlds and How

We Find Them (2010) and December 21, 2012: Death from the Skies? (2012).

Represented organization to nationwide audiences, e.g. Smithsonian Magazine

Culturefest 2006, Flagstaff, Ariz. Skywatchers: Astronomy of the Ancients and

Meet the Moon.

Offered presentations to local visitors, e.g. The 40-Minute Universe, Oct. 2008.

Provide introductions and news updates at monthly public events.

Train astronomers for presentations to general audiences.

Deliver prepared and extemporaneous speeches as well as evaluations of other

speakers in local Toastmasters club.

Leadership

Two-term president of local pilots association an all-volunteer group with about

40 members (Chapter 673 of the Experimental Aircraft Association). Increased

cooperation with surrounding aviation groups; represented airport at local and

regional conferences.

Supervise telescope operators for monthly astronomy open nights, including

recruiting, training, target assignment, and payment coordination.

Innovation

Supervised taping and editing of the Center s first pre-recorded press conference.

Created hands-on, interactive children s program on the search for extrasolar

planets, presented in Cambridge and Chicago.

Established YouTube channel as the Center s first foray into new media.

Expanded audience for public lectures by posting to iTunes U.

Office management

Track department budget; input and monitor purchase orders.

EXPERIENCE

Public Relations Specialist (2001 Present)

Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

Community Relations Coordinator (1998 2001)

Brookhaven National Laboratory

EDUCATION

M.A. Astronomy, University of Texas at Austin (1997)

B.S. Physics, with High Honors, University of Texas at Austin (1994)

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