Loree Griffin Burns is an American scientist and children's book author focusing on science and the

scientific method The scientific method is an empirical method for acquiring knowledge that has characterized the development of science since at least the 17th century (with notable practitioners in previous centuries; see the article history of scientific m ...

Early life

Burns grew up in

Massachusetts Massachusetts (Massachusett language, Massachusett: ''Muhsachuweesut assachusett writing systems, məhswatʃəwiːsət'' English: , ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is the most populous U.S. state, state in the New England ...

. She studied biology at

Worcester Polytechnic Institute '' , mottoeng = "Theory and Practice" , established = , former_name = Worcester County Free Institute of Industrial Science (1865-1886) , type = Private research university , endowme ...

and graduated with her Bachelor of Science in 1991. She received her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction from Bay Path University. She received her PhD in

biochemistry Biochemistry or biological chemistry is the study of chemical processes within and relating to living organisms. A sub-discipline of both chemistry and biology, biochemistry may be divided into three fields: structural biology, enzymology and ...

from

University of Massachusetts Medical School The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School is a public medical school in Worcester, Massachusetts. It is part of the University of Massachusetts system. It is home to three schools: the T.H. Chan School of Medicine, the Morningside Grad ...

, focusing her studies on yeast gene regulation.

Career

Before becoming an author, Burns worked as a research scientist. She wrote her first book in 2007 entitled ''Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion'' after she became fascinated by the story of a shipping accident wherein thousands of bathtub toys were lost at sea, only to later wash ashore in

New England New England is a region comprising six states in the Northeastern United States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It is bordered by the state of New York to the west and by the Canadian provinces ...

. She is the author of several books of children’s nonfiction, including the middle grade titles ''Tracking Trash'', ''The Hive Detectives'', ''Citizen Scientists'', ''Beetle Busters'', and ''Life on Surtsey'', as well as the picture books ''Handle with Care'' and ''You’re Invited to a Moth Ball''. These books have been awarded

American Library Association The American Library Association (ALA) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with 49,727 members a ...

Notable designations, a ''Boston Globe''–''Horn Book'' Honor Book Award, an IRA Children’s Book Award, a Green Earth Book Award, and two Science Books & Films (SB&F) Prizes. She is also on the faculty list of

Vermont College of Fine Arts Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA) is a private graduate-level art school in Montpelier, Vermont. It offers Master's degrees in low-residency and residential programs. Its faculty includes Pulitzer Prize finalists, National Book Award winners, ...

Recognition

Her accolades include: * American Library Association Notable Lists - 2018 Notable Children's Books *

Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the state capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the United States. It is the 24th- most p ...

- 2007 Nonfiction Honor Book *

International Reading Association The International Literacy Association (ILA), formerly the International Reading Association (IRA), is an international global advocacy and member professional organization that was created in 1956 to improve reading instruction, facilitate dialo ...

Children’s Book Award * two AAAS Science Books & Films prizes.

Published books

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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Burns, Loree Griffin Worcester Polytechnic Institute alumni American children's writers University of Massachusetts Medical School alumni Living people Year of birth missing (living people)