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Did you know that according to a recent survey, at least 27% of Americans are still somewhat skeptical about science?

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital are making amazing discoveries that have the potential to transform science and medicine, but we aren’t always great at telling the public about our work and why it matters.

Through workshops, competitions and community events, we’re committed to helping our researchers find engaging new ways to share their work with the public.

We hope you’ll join us in spreading the word about science and the valuable role it plays in improving healthcare here at Mass General and across the globe.

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Use Plain Language

Avoid Scientific jargon whenever possible

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Plot Your Course

Where are you in the process? Where did you start? Where do you hope to arrive?

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Save Time for Questions

Always leave time for your audience to engage with you

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Enjoy Yourself

Smile, make eye contact, speak up and have fun!

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Start with a Bang

Open with an interesting story or question to grab the audience’s attention

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Set the Stage

What is the problem you are trying to solve, and how are you trying to solve it

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Explain the Process

What makes your approach unique

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Keep it Simple

Focus on a few key points and stick to them

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Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates on our communicating science events!

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Mass General Brigham Research

mgbresearch

Medicine changes lives, research changes the world. @massgeneralbrigham
Every Boston #marathon runner is motivated by some Every Boston #marathon runner is motivated by something, and Hope Taft, Executive Director of @mghmartinos is no different. As the Boston Marathon approaches, we’re spotlighting the inspiring individuals from the @massgeneralbrigham research community who will be running the race. "I love the idea of setting a goal, challenging myself daily through training and accomplishing something tangible at the end," said Taft. As Executive Director, Taft oversees day-to-day operations and strategy, including developing new partnerships and industry studies, and purchasing new capital equipment. "There is a lot of ambiguity and uncertainty in research right now. Training has helped reinforce the importance of perseverance and balance," said Taft. Read more of her story at the link in our bio. #bostonmarathon #running #research #runners
An Ode to Hidden Threads: Collagen Fibers | Submit An Ode to Hidden Threads: Collagen Fibers | Submitted by Maxwell Roth, MD This image captures the intricate, fibrous structure of collagen, a key protein that gives strength and flexibility to our skin, bones, and tissues. By revealing its delicate, repeating patterns, this photo highlights collagen’s structural role as the body’s natural scaffold for growth and healing. Dr. Roth is a researcher in the Electron Microscopy Unit in the Department of Pathology at @massgeneral. Alongside the image, he submitted the following poem as well: A tapestry of silent strength, Binding bone to spirit, Flesh to memory. Holding us together in the tender bond of humanness. We are each a thread in this ancient loom, Stitched by unseen hands, Scaffolding of a deep lineage. Pictured in the second photo: Maxwell Roth (left) and Martin Selig (right) at the MGRI Image Awards Gala, where Roth received the 2024 Golden Rosado Award for his image submission.
As a world-recognized leader in research, @massgen As a world-recognized leader in research, @massgeneralbrigham is home to the largest hospital-based research program in the U.S. In 2024, over 80 of our researchers were named to the annual Highly Cited Researchers™ 2024 list from Clarivate. Each researcher selected has authored multiple studies that rank in the top 1% by citations for their field(s) and publication year over the past decade. “For our research to be truly impactful in improving healthcare, it has to reach beyond the walls of our institutions,” says Paul Anderson, MD, PhD, Chief Academic Officer of Mass General Brigham.
Every Boston #marathon runner is motivated by some Every Boston #marathon runner is motivated by something—whether it is personal athletic glory, raising funds to support a favorite charity, or just getting the chance to strut around Boston with a finishers’ medal and one of those cool striped jackets the day after the race. As the Boston Marathon approaches, we’re spotlighting the inspiring individuals from the @massgeneralbrigham research community who will be running the race. Next up, we have Gabriel Alberts, who is running for Team Eye and Ear from @masseyeandear As a graduate research student, Gabriel works with Sunil Puria, PhD, studying how the cells inside our ears move around in order to help us hear. #bostonmarathon #running #research #runners
OoSight | Submitted by Alana Mermin-Bunnell This OoSight | Submitted by Alana Mermin-Bunnell This image shows egg cells (oocytes) from a mouse ovary, captured using a special technique called tissue clearing. By making the ovary transparent, researchers can see and count all the oocytes—shown here in pink—both in a single slice (left) and a 3D view (right). Why does this matter? Alana Mermin-Bunnell at the Pépin Lab at @massgeneral is using this technique to study fertility protection for children undergoing chemotherapy, helping to preserve their ability to have biological children in the future.
Every Boston marathon runner is motivated by somet Every Boston marathon runner is motivated by something—whether it is personal athletic glory, raising funds to support a favorite charity, or just getting the chance to strut around Boston with a finishers’ medal and one of those cool striped jackets the day after the race. As the Boston Marathon approaches, we’re spotlighting the inspiring individuals from the Mass General Brigham research community who will be running the race this year. From clinical research coordinators to investigators and students, get to know the faces behind the bibs and the motivation behind running those (quite strenuous) 26.2 miles! First up, we have Ashley Panzone from @brighamandwomens.
For more than two centuries, @massgenbrigham resea For more than two centuries, @massgenbrigham researchers have been shaping the future of medicine. From the first use of anesthesia to today’s cutting-edge advancements in #AI and gene therapy, our discoveries have transformed healthcare. Here’s to the past, present, and future of innovation across Mass General Brigham!
#Endometriosis is a painful, chronic and commonly #Endometriosis is a painful, chronic and commonly misunderstood condition that causes tissue similar to uterine lining to grow outside the uterus, potentially causing pelvic pain, heavy periods, #infertility, and other issues. About 1-in-10 women in the United States has endometriosis, but the condition often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years. In recognition of #EndometriosisAwarenessMonth, we asked researchers from across @massgeneralbrigham about their work to better understand the condition, improve treatment options and dispel common misconceptions. Read more about their research at the link in our bio.
This #WomensHistoryMonth, we honor Dr. Susan Dimoc This #WomensHistoryMonth, we honor Dr. Susan Dimock (1847-1875)—a trailblazer who fought for women’s place in medicine and left an enduring legacy in just 28 years. Denied entry to Harvard Medical School, Dimock trained at @massgeneral despite opposition and later earned her medical degree in Switzerland—where men and women were treated as equals. She returned to Boston as a brilliant surgeon and resident physician at what is now @thedimockcenter, advancing care for women and children. Though her life was tragically cut short in a shipwreck, her impact lived on. Her story helped open doors for women physicians in Massachusetts, and her name continues to inspire. This month, we celebrate her fight for equity in medicine. Read more about her legacy at the link in our bio. #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInMedicine #MassGeneral #SusanDimock
At @MassGeneralBrigham, research is at the heart o At @MassGeneralBrigham, research is at the heart of what we do. With over 3,700 principal investigators leading teams of researchers in every discipline, we are tackling some of the biggest challenges in healthcare—from cancer treatments to AI in medicine. Every discovery starts with a question. Every breakthrough starts with a team, and with thousands of experts working together, the possibilities for innovation are limitless.
Anyone else shocked puppies weren't the answer? Anyone else shocked puppies weren't the answer? Dr. @robert.waldinger, of the Department of Psychiatry at @massgeneral, is the current director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, one of the world’s longest studies that has tracked the lives of over 700 men and aims to uncover how early life events can shape our well-being as we age. Over the course of the 8 decades, the study has revealed key insights into our #happiness and found: 1️⃣ The quality of our relationships is more important than the quantity. 2️⃣ There’s comfort in the relationships we have. 3️⃣ Relationships can positively impact our health. How do your closest relationships bring happiness to your life? #research #relationships #InternationalDayOfHappiness
🌟 News Flash! 🌟 We’re excited to announc 🌟 News Flash! 🌟 We’re excited to announce that we are now Mass General Brigham Research! By changing our name to Mass General Brigham Research, we will now represent our entire system’s powerhouse research community, strengthening our opportunities to share groundbreaking discoveries, accelerate medical innovation, and improve patient care. By uniting our expertise, we’re building a research enterprise that’s greater than the sum of its parts—one that will shape the future of medicine. Follow along for more updates on research happening across @massgeneralbrigham! 💡🔬 #ResearchExcellence #MedicalInnovation #MassGeneralBrigham
Mass General Brigham is home to a research communi Mass General Brigham is home to a research community of thousands of individuals working to understand disease and develop solutions to medicine’s most pressing challenges. But who are they and what do they do when they’re not conducting research? Learn more about them in the Researchers Unplugged series! Our first guest in the series is Leou Ismael Banla, MD from @massgeneral Dr. Banla is Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Center for Systems Biology at Massachusetts General Hospital. He works jointly under the mentorship of Miles Miller, PhD, and William Hwang, MD, PhD. In his research, he works with drugs that are specially designed to activate only when exposed to radiation. This approach could help reduce side effects because the drug is only “turned on” in areas where it is targeted with radiation, like cancerous tissues. Through Dr. Banla’s microscope, you can see white flares that look like icicles; these are actually pancreas cancer cells. They were derived from a mouse model with cancer. In reality, these cells are growing very aggressively, serving as an example of how devastating pancreatic cancer can be. When he is not in the lab, you can find Dr. Banla cooking and keeping up with the NBA.
This #WomensHistoryMonth, we’re celebrating Marg This #WomensHistoryMonth, we’re celebrating Margaret G. Reilly (1891-1963)—a pioneering nurse whose five-decade career shaped dermatology, nursing education, and public health. A graduate of the @massgeneral Nursing School, she was one of the first nurses to specialize in dermatology and co-authored a groundbreaking textbook on skin disease treatment. She also served in WWI as a “Bordeaux Belle,” providing care to wounded soldiers in France. Beyond the hospital, Reilly was a fierce advocate for maternal and pediatric health, mental health education, and civic engagement—leading initiatives from @BostonCollege nursing programs to the League of Women Voters. Her leadership, expertise, and dedication to patients set a new standard in nursing. Today, we honor her lasting impact! Read more about her legacy at the link in our bio. #WomensHistoryMonth #NursingHistory #MassGeneral #DermatologyPioneer
It’s been said that “butter makes everything b It’s been said that “butter makes everything better,” but according to @massgeneralbrigham researchers, that might not be the case for longevity. People who consume plant-based oil instead of butter may have a lower risk of premature death, according to a new study by investigators from Mass General Brigham, @harvardchansph, and the @broadinstitute. The researchers examined diet and health data from 200,000 people followed for more than 30 years and found that higher intake of plant-based oils, especially soybean, canola, and olive oil, was associated with lower total, cancer, and cardiovascular disease mortality, whereas butter intake was associated with increased risk of total and cancer mortality. The investigators note that “even cutting back butter a little and incorporating more plant-based oils into your daily diet can have meaningful long-term health benefits.” Read more at the link in our bio.
This #WomensHistoryMonth, we’re celebrating Eliz This #WomensHistoryMonth, we’re celebrating Elizabeth Robinson Scovil (1849-1934)—a trailblazing nurse, health communicator, and women’s advocate. One of the first graduates of the @massgeneral Training School for Nurses, Scovil fought for better working conditions, fair pay, and proper nutrition for nurses—because caring for caregivers meant better care for patients. As an editor for @AJN and @ladieshomejournal, she also wrote groundbreaking books on pregnancy, childbirth, and child care—giving women access to essential health knowledge at a time when these topics were rarely discussed. Her words changed lives, and her legacy continues to inspire. This month, we honor her and all the women who have shaped the future of healthcare. 💙 Read more about her legacy at the link in our bio. #WomensHistoryMonth #NursingHistory #HealthAdvocate #MassGeneral
February is Heart Health Month! A while back, we February is Heart Health Month! A while back, we asked our researchers for tips for keeping your heart healthy, and they had a lot of great methods to share! Check out what Pradeep Natarajan, MD, Director of Preventative Cardiology had to say. #hearthealth #heartmonth #cardiology #cardio
*Looks at clock indefinitely. As a research techn *Looks at clock indefinitely. As a research technician in the Yonker Lab at Mass General for Children, Carly Steifman is part of a team investigating the biological mechanisms of Long COVID. The Yonker Lab studies a variety of diseases linked to airway inflammation, including Long COVID, cystic fibrosis and pediatric sepsis. Carly does all this while also (im)patiently waiting for papers to make their way through the (quite lenghty) review process after submission. Thanks to the @morseinstitute for the inspiration!
This week is Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Inve This week is Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Investigators at @massgeneralbrigham are at the forefront of researching eating disorder prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. A study found that 61% and 45% of individuals still experienced binge-eating disorder 2.5 and 5 years after their initial diagnoses, respectively. These results contradict previous prospective studies that documented faster remission times, according to the authors. Read more at the link in our bio. #mentalhealth
Collaboration has always been a key part of our re Collaboration has always been a key part of our researchers' scientific discoveries, and a new study led by researchers Shannon Stott, PhD, and Genevieve Boland, MD, PhD is a great example of just that. The researchers found that a method originally designed for cancer detection can also identify and monitor even tiny amounts of SARS-CoV-2 intact viral particles in blood and other fluids from patients with acute COVID-19 infections, creating the potential for guiding future treatment of patients. “During the early days of the pandemic, we wanted to see if our approach for isolating small cancer vesicles could be adapted to isolate the SARS-CoV-2 virus from biofluids like blood, stool, and saliva,” said Stott. “We quickly built an interdisciplinary team of experts to adapt our technology to push the boundaries of intact virus detection.” Together, the labs discovered that their technique could detect as few as three viral particles in 1 milliliter of blood, and accurately measured virus levels across time, as far out as 50 days after the initial infection. Read more about the discovery at the link in our bio.
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