Reconnecting Science and Society
Discover the Impact of Science on Our Lives
Explore how SciMatters is transforming the way we understand and engage with science, making it accessible and relevant to everyone.
Our Mission and Vision
At SciMatters.org, our mission is to reconnect society with the power and promise of science.
We create and share compelling, relatable content that reveals how scientific discovery shapes our daily lives—from the products we depend on, to the treatments that save lives, and the innovations tackling the world’s toughest challenges. We aim to empower all scientists to share their passion in ways that connect with the public, our communities, and beyond.
Our Leadership
United for Change.
Dr. Kathy Rowlen
Dr. John W. Birks
Jason Amsbaugh
Dr. Kathy Rowlen
Executive Director
Dr. Kathy Rowlen is CEO of InDevR Inc. and Executive Director of SciMatters.org. Her distinguished career began as a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Colorado in Boulder in 1991. Over her 17-year tenure there, she and her students co-authored over 100 scientific publications and were granted numerous patents. She co-founded InDevR Inc. in 2003 to translate cutting-edge research into impactful biotech tools. Dr. Rowlen has received multiple national awards for her scientific achievements and entrepreneurial accomplishments.
Dr. John Birks
Board Member
Dr. John W. Birks has had a distinguished career in atmospheric chemistry, spanning academia, public service, and entrepreneurship. Dr. Birks served as a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder for 25 years. He is widely recognized for his contributions to our understanding of the Antarctic ozone hole and his co-discovery of the environmental effects of nuclear war that became known as “nuclear winter.” John has published more than 150 scientific papers and given hundreds of scientific talks. At 2B Technologies, a company he co-founded in 1998, he led the development of a new generation of portable instruments for air quality measurements.
Jason Amsbaugh
Board Member
Jason Amsbaugh is CEO and founder of Samba Scientific, a marketing agency serving growth-stage life science companies, and a Board Director for SciMatters.org. Jason brings extensive commercial experience in research tools, genomics and molecular diagnostics, with a strong track record in strategy and commercial execution. Prior to founding Samba, Jason held commercial leadership roles at Inscripta and ArcherDX, among others.
The Role of Science in Society
Reconnecting Science & Society
We are scientists who believe that it is vital to do a better job telling the world what science really means—and why it matters.
From the air we breathe to the phones in our pockets, science shapes everyday life in powerful, often invisible ways. Yet too often, the story of science gets lost in translation. At SciMatters.org, we aim to change that—one story at a time.
Through real-life success stories, kitchen-table explanations, and community-driven content, we’re bringing science back into the conversations that matter most: around the dinner table, at school, in local communities, and online. Whether it’s the medicine in your cabinet, the food on our plates, or the technology powering our day, we show how science can be used to solve complex problems and improve lives.
Our Vision for the Future
Goals of SciMatters
Our goals are simple: To rebuild trust in science, make it relatable through visuals, and inspire a diverse new generation to carry it forward for all.
