<ul><li>Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship recipient.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Six-time Dean’s Commendation for High Achievement recipient.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Earned GPA: 7 (High Distinction).</li></ul>

As an independent journalist, Donna has worked with many different publications.<ul><li>Wrote features and criticism for print and online publications, with bylines in The Guardian, The Atlantic, VICE, HuffPost, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Saturday Paper and more.</li><li>Published in the field of science, technology, and culture.</li></ul>

Journalist & Contributing Writer

Springer Nature publishes journals, databases, and online products and services across the life, physical and applied sciences, and clinical medicine.<ul><li>Provided freelance editorial and writing services for the Nature Research.&nbsp;</li><li>Published projects on science, technology, medical topics, and research summaries of complex scientific findings.</li></ul>

Writer

New Scientist is a science and technology magazine, and the go-to site for breaking news, exclusive content and breakthroughs.<ul><li>Researched and wrote multiple contents about technology and tech culture.</li><li>Examined copy for accuracy and checked all factual information, quotes, and statistics.</li><li>Interviewed news makers and taste makers on these subjects.</li><li>Contributed to breaking news coverage of major events.</li></ul>

Technology Reporter

The Queensland Brain Institute is an Australian neuroscience research institute, located in Brisbane at the St Lucia campus of The University of Queensland.&nbsp;<ul><li>Implemented major strategic campaigns and researched news coverage targeting mass national and international media.</li><li>Wrote and edited thought leadership pieces, content for speeches, and national print and online publications.&nbsp;</li><li>Managed, mentored, and edited the work of contributors and communications interns.</li><li>Translated complex scientific and medical research into readily understandable communications for targeted and broad audiences.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Science Writer & Communications Manager

npj Science of Learning is an interactive online community that brings together educators, policymakers, neuroscientists, and psychologists to understand learning.&nbsp;<ul><li>Led the partnership between leading academic publisher Springer Nature (publisher of Nature and related journals) and the Queensland Brain Institute at The University of Queensland.</li><li>Handled content strategy and oversaw all commissioned content, interviews, and editorial contributions to the site.</li><li>Solicited, commissioned and edited opinion pieces, analysis and research news.</li><li>Drove and implemented content distribution strategy across social media, SEO, ‘influencer’ contributors, cross-linking, content partnerships, and media.</li><li>Grew site audience and registered members.</li></ul>

Managing Editor

<ul><li>Commissioned and managed freelance and staff contributors.</li><li>Contributed feature articles, reviews, and interviews.</li><li>Developed and maintained relationships with publishers and publicists.</li><li>Sub-edited and proofread articles and managed social media accounts.</li><li>Oversaw content through CMS and distribution strategy.</li><li>Developed SEO strategy and analysis website traffic.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Books & Literature Editor

Ghostwrote op-ed on the difficulties of drug treatments for dementia.

Why It's so Hard to Treat Dementia

Donna Lu

Created scientific explainer explaining the link between concussion and irreversible brain injury.

What Does Concussion Do to the Brain?

Developed thought leadership op-ed about women in STEM, published to coincide with International Women's Day.

Gender Equality's Not Brain Surgery

Ghostwrote a lifestyle article offering tips on excelling in school tests and examinations.

The Secret to Doing Better in Tests, According to Science

Ghostwrote a thought leadership piece on the co-inventor of the Gardasil cervical cancer vaccine seeking to raise funds as part of a new University of Queensland initiative.

The Queensland Campaign Could Herald the next Great Scientific Breakthrough

Contributed heavily to an engaging and fully illustrated science magazine, The Brain magazine, which was produced for a general audience.

Magazine Copy

Crafted a news article on a new drug candidate for motor neurone disease (MND/ALS).

Government Partnership Leads to Motor Neurone Disease Drug Candidate

Ghostwrote op-ed piece discussing the dangers of concussion in children.

Kids, Sport, Concussion, and the Long-lasting Effects of Minor Brain Injury

Developed a research article that publishes findings from QBI research that giving vitamin D supplements to pregnant mice has prevented autism traits in their offspring.

Vitamin D Linked to Autism Prevention

Created a thought leadership article about the growing issue of dementia, one of the biggest public health problems of the time.

Why We Need to Talk About Dementia

Crafted a research news piece that discusses the current and direction of future findings of QBI researchers on understanding why a toxic protein builds up in brain cells dying from Alzheimer's disease.

Enzyme Plays Key Role in Build-up of Toxic Alzheimer's Proteins

Wrote a news article that covers news of companies paying white hat hackers to probe their cybersecurity systems for weaknesses.

When Ethical Hacking Can't Compete

Created a scientific article on a new research study determining if treatment of sleep apnoea lowers the risk of developing dementia.

Can Treating Sleep Apnoea Reduce Dementia Risk?

Interviewed Associate Professor Bruno van Swinderen on his research, discussing questions such as "Why and how do we sleep and what is consciousness?" and "Are all animals that sleep by definition conscious when they are awake?"

Podcast: General Anaesthetics and Consciousness

Wrote a light-hearted scientific news piece covering research into 'handedness' in honeybees.

Left or Right? Honeybees Have a Preference for Flight Direction

Developed a profile article featuring an Australian journalist and television personality, Ita Buttrose, who shares her personal experience with dementia.

Profile: Ita Buttrose, AO OBE

Created a personality profile article on Patricia Piccinini, an artist whose work incorporates scientific and technological concepts.

Patricia Piccinini's Changing Nature

Wrote a column article discussing a Boston radio station wading through the internet "time sink", Reddit and finding extraordinarily powerful stories.

Listen: The Podcast Inspired by Reddit's Most Compelling Stories

Crafted a news piece on Sigiriya in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's Sigiriya

Featured a ten-part Caliphate podcast series that offers a deeper dive into some of the incredible terrorism reporting of New York Times journalist, Rukmini Callimachi.

English (British)

Donna Lu is an experienced writer and communications specialist with a strong background in media, scientific, and medical writing. Skilled in implementing major strategic campaigns targeting mass and specialized media, she provides expertise in copywriting, medical and scientific research news features, and digital production. Her work has appeared in various publications including  The Atlantic, The Guardian, New Scientist, The Sydney Morning Herald, Good Weekend, The Saturday Paper, VICE, The Outline, The Big Issue, and the Griffith Review and throughout a wide range of topics.

Donna Lu

Employment Highlights

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Portfolio

Why It's so Hard to Treat Dementia

What Does Concussion Do to the Brain?

Gender Equality's Not Brain Surgery

The Secret to Doing Better in Tests, According to Science

The Queensland Campaign Could Herald the next Great Scientific Breakthrough

Magazine Copy

Why It's so Hard to Treat Dementia

What Does Concussion Do to the Brain?

Gender Equality's Not Brain Surgery

The Secret to Doing Better in Tests, According to Science

The Queensland Campaign Could Herald the next Great Scientific Breakthrough

Magazine Copy