Vanessa Wasta has spent more than 20 years in science and medical communications. She manages communications for basic science research at Johns Hopkins Medicine, spanning three institutes and more than 250 faculty. Her team oversees media relations, digital publications and social media channels relating to basic science research.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and a master's degree in business administration. Previously, she managed media relations and web projects at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, covering laboratory and clinical research news, as well as social media. Before joining Johns Hopkins, she was a graduate resident in the marketing and public relations office for the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center.

She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers and an emeritus member and former chair of the public affairs and marketing network of the nation's top cancer centers.

Twitter: @vanessawasta
Email: wasta@jhmi.edu