Joan Slonczewski facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joan Lyn Slonczewski
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Slonczewski in 2022
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| Born | August 14, 1956 Hyde Park, New York, U.S.
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| Education | Bryn Mawr College (AB) Yale University (PhD) University of Pennsylvania |
| Occupation | Microbiology professor Science fiction author |
| Employer | Kenyon College |
| Known for | A Door into Ocean |
Joan Lyn Slonczewski, born on August 14, 1956, is an American scientist and author. She teaches about tiny living things called microbes at Kenyon College. She also writes exciting science fiction books. Her stories often mix real science with amazing adventures in space.
Her books have won the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel two times. These winning books are A Door into Ocean (1987) and The Highest Frontier (2011). She also helps write a science textbook called Microbiology: An Evolving Science.
Contents
About Joan Slonczewski
Joan Slonczewski was born in Hyde Park, New York. She grew up in Katonah, New York.
She studied biology at Bryn Mawr College and graduated in 1977. Later, she earned her PhD in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University in 1982. She then did more research at the University of Pennsylvania.
Since 1984, Dr. Slonczewski has taught at Kenyon College. She has also spent time doing research at Princeton University and the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Her main research looks at how bacteria like Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis react to changes in their environment, especially how acidic or basic it is (called pH). She uses genetic methods in her studies.
Teaching and Helping Students
Dr. Slonczewski teaches both biology and science fiction classes. For many years, she received money from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. She used this money to make science classes better for students. She also helped students from different backgrounds get summer science jobs.
In February 2011, Dr. Slonczewski was a special science speaker. She spoke at a big science fiction meeting called Boskone 48.
Dr. Slonczewski is also a member of the Quakers. This is a religious group that believes in peace. Their ideas about peace are often part of her novels.
Her Science Fiction Books
Joan Slonczewski's books often combine her knowledge of science with interesting ideas. She writes about genetics, how living things interact with their environment, and ideas like peace and equality.
Stories of Water Worlds and Microbes
Her book A Door into Ocean won an award in 1987. It shows her deep understanding of genetics and how ecosystems work. The story is about a planet completely covered by water. It is home to a group of women who are experts in genetic engineering. They live peacefully and value their unique way of life.
Other books like Daughters of Elysium (1993), The Children Star (1998), and Brain Plague (2000) are connected to A Door into Ocean. They explore similar themes.
The Children Star was published in a magazine called Analog Science Fiction and Fact. This magazine is known for its "hard science fiction," which means the stories are very accurate with scientific details.
In Brain Plague (2000), tiny intelligent microbes live inside human brains. These microbes can be helpful or harmful. They change and grow, much like bacteria that live in our bodies and help us stay healthy. This book also explores a future where genetic engineering and nanotechnology (working with tiny particles) can do amazing things. They can even change our bodies or build huge buildings.
Dr. Slonczewski once shared a fun story about Brain Plague. Her students were talking about the book in class. She asked if it was "liberal or conservative." One student said it was "conservative" because characters were married. Another student quickly pointed out that many of the marriages in the book were between people of the same gender, and some even included robots!
The Highest Frontier
The Highest Frontier (2011) is a story about a young woman named Jennifer Ramos Kennedy. She is starting her first year of college in 2108. Her college is located in a space station! On Earth, human actions have caused big environmental problems. Some people think space stations are the answer, but they can only hold a small number of people. This book looks at problems in politics, society, and the environment.
Awards and Recognition
Joan Slonczewski has received several awards for her work:
- 2001: Robert Tomsich Award for great achievements in science research, from Kenyon College.
- 1989: Silver Medalist in the National Professor of the Year program.
- 1987: John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel for A Door into Ocean.
- 2012: John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel for The Highest Frontier.
