Technical
Science Writing
This category includes white papers, technical reports, evidence-based persuasive writing, and other long-form research projects. It is the heavy-lifting category. These projects typically involve extensive literature review, multiple rounds of revision, and formally cited references.
Pieces in this category are often written for professional audiences. They might educate practitioners about emerging research in a specific field, inform the planning and development of a new product line, or summarize the evidence needed to guide clinical pathways and other decisions.
The priority is accuracy—not only getting the facts and details right, but understanding the material at least one level deeper than I write from. One test I use while editing is to imagine a live Q&A with the intended audience. If I would not be comfortable explaining a section in different words or answering reasonable follow-up questions about it, I research it further, qualify it more carefully, or leave it out.
The following are excerpts from pieces I have written professionally. Each includes a “Read More” link that will take you to a longer selection. So on this page are excerpts of excerpts. None of the original pieces are included in their entirety.
These selections are examples of my writing style, research approach, and range. If you do not see a sample that closely matches your project, please reach out. I am always interested in discussing new subjects, formats, or audiences.
Red Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation)
Photobiomodulation (PBM) was discovered in 1967 by Hungarian physician Endre Mester, who was studying lasers and tumor ablation. He noticed that in areas where the power of the laser was insufficient to ablate the tumor, there was an increase in hair growth. The initial term “Low Level Laser Therapy" was replaced by “photobiomodulation” or PBM, in the late 2010s. "Low level" was rather subjective and non-scientific, and lasers were rapidly being replaced by LEDs in delivery devices.[1]
Mechanisms
Cytocrome C Oxidase
The first law of photobiology says that to have a biological effect, a photon must be absorbed by a molecule in the cell. This can be a chromophore or a photoacceptor. The important chromophores in the skin are melanin, hemoglobin and water. The distinction is that the chromophores absorb light and convert the energy into heat. A photoacceptor absorbs photons and uses the energy to catalyze a chemical reaction. PBM primary involves using photoacceptors to cataylze reactions.
The photoacceptor thought to be central to the effects of PBM cytochrome c oxidase (CCO or COX). CCO is a component of the electron transport chain in the mitochondrial membrane. Photon absorption by CCO increases cellular respiration, thus increasing ATP, and the cell’s ability to do work. The leading hypothesis to explain exactly how light increases COX activity is that nitric oxide, which is known to bind to COX and inhibit respiration, is displaced by a photon of red or NIR light. So, it disables an inhibitor. [2]
Secondary Mechanisms
Reactive Oxygen Species
The secondary effects of photon absorption include increases in ATP, an increase in nitric oxide, change in calcium levels, and a brief burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Reactive oxygen species are by-products of aerobic (using oxygen) metabolism. They are unstable molecules that want to “steal” electrons from other molecules to become more stable. In doing so, they disrupt other molecules, potentially causing damage to proteins, cells, and DNA.