Caitlin Looby

Bio

My research took me to cloud forests in Costa Rica and Dominican Republic, rainforests in Washington State, and boreal forests in Alaska. For most of my academic career, I travelled to tropical cloud forests to look at how soil microbes and decomposition change under warmer, drier conditions. I am also a freelance science writer and editor with clips that include an op-ed, feature articles for magazines, environmental news stories, and scripts for radio. I fell in love with the outdoors through science. I am an avid paddler and hiker, and use the outdoors to unwind and find unique outlets to communicate science to the public. I received my PhD at the University of California, Irvine. 

@caitlooby

Clips

• Efforts to phase out ozone-depleting substances are actually working, says a new review study from Loyola University New Orleans

• Nutria bounty (yes, the nutria bounty) in Louisiana rises after 'uptake in damage'

• As Gulf Coast dolphin strandings rise, scientists see a warning of greater ecological strains

• Boaters, take care: Manatees share boating channels in Louisiana waters, a new study finds

• Brown pelican nesting ground near Grand Isle will be restored this fall

• Reaction to waterspouts in New Orleans: 'Hoping and praying that it wasn’t [coming] my way'

• Louisiana, Florida to see biggest spike in 'extreme heat' days, study says; could force 'culture shift'

• Please stop feeding Louisiana alligators: 'It's setting stage for tragedy,' experts warn

• Gulf of Mexico just endured its hottest June ever, new report says

• New app offers swimming, fishing advisories across Louisiana, but doesn't include algae bloom notices

• LSU professor studies stress in wildlife using medical imaging technology

• Wind farms could one day power New Orleans, but high cost, other issues cause for concern

• Unhealthy, 'stagnant air' days increasing in New Orleans with hotter summer temperatures, report says

• Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, haven for nature lovers, to benefit from shoreline protection project

• Spillway opening foreshadows how dolphins may fare with planned river diversions, experts say