founder and host kirsten sanford holds a b.s. in conservation biology and a ph.d in molecular, cellular and integrative physiology from the university of california, davis, and is a frequent lecturer on the davis campus. sanford was awarded the 2005 american association for the advancement of science (aaas) mass media fellowship award in recognition for her work with "this week in science". through this fellowship she worked as a television news producer at wnbc news in new york city working with noted health and science reporter max gomez.