Jennifer Ouellette

Jennifer Ouellette is a science writer and author known for making complex scientific concepts accessible to general audiences. She has written several popular science books, including "The Calculus Diaries: How Math Can Help You Lose Weight, Win in Vegas, and Survive a Zombie Apocalypse," "The Physics of the Buffyverse," and "Black Bodies and Quantum Cats: Tales from the Annals of Physics," all published by Penguin. Her work has appeared in prominent publications such as The Washington Post, Discover, New Scientist, and Nature. Ouellette also maintains the science-and-culture blog Cocktail Party Physics, originally hosted at Discovery News and later at Scientific American, where she explores diverse topics in an engaging, narrative-driven style.

With an English literature background, Ouellette transitioned into science writing through what she describes as a serendipitous accident. Her articles span an eclectic range of subjects, from the physics of eggshells to the game theory of poker, demonstrating her ability to find scientific angles in unexpected places. She served as director of The Science & Entertainment Exchange, a National Academy of Sciences program connecting scientists with Hollywood creatives, further showcasing her commitment to bridging science and popular culture. Ouellette's books target curious non-specialists, blending storytelling with scientific exploration, as seen in her work "Me, Myself and Why: Searching for the Science of Self," which examines the factors shaping human identity.