Shira Polan is a science journalist living in New York City. She works a science video producer for Business Insider's Science Insider and Tech Insider Youtube channels.
Shira covers topics on animal (animal behavior, cognition, urban ecology, animal biology, evolution, paleobiology), the human body (biology, health and medicine, genetics, neuroscience and the brain), and planetary science and exploration. She reviews recent research and scientific events to identify newsworthy stories and presents these stories in a manner that engages the public. Shira also provides voice over for videos across all Insider platforms.
Examples of her work include an exploration of the biological and cognitive costs of cannibalism, an explainer on why cochroaches are so hard to kill, and an account of what happens when you stop brushing your teeth.
She graduated from NYU Graduate School of Journalism Science, Health, Environment and Reporting Program (SHERP), where she received her master's degree with a concentration in science journalism. Earlier, she graduated from Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and received a Bachelor of Science in animal science with a minor in communication.
Her work has been published in Psychology Today, Science Friday, Scholastic Science World, Scholastic SuperScience, and Scienceline.