Research

Dr. Opat first saw the importance of science communication while working for Textron Aviation, an aircraft manufacturing company in Wichita, Kansas. She held various communications positions within customer support during her time with the company. She was able to work closely with engineers and mechanics who needed to communicate important product and safety information to customers, but many lacked the skills to do so effectively. Dr. Opat soon realized this is a common issue in many STEM fields: although scientists wish to share their knowledge and stories with others, they are unsure of where to start.

As a researcher for the Center for Agri-Science Communications at Texas Tech University, Dr. Opat was able to help train the next generation of agricultural scientists to confidently speak out and engage with the public. Her research with the center primarily focused on using innovative web technologies to communicate science. She found that social media allows scientific information to be conveyed directly to stakeholders. Her studies included an analysis of Blue Bell Creameries’ (a large frozen treats manufacturer) response to a Listeria outbreak via Facebook, an assessment of graduate students’ use of social media to communicate research, and an analysis of organic food sciences on parenting websites among others. For her dissertation, Dr. Opat studied how to make scientific podcasts more interesting for Generation Z while maintaining the podcasts’ perceived credibility.

Dr. Opat studied engagement and views of the nature/science YouTube series Deep Look produced by KQED, particularly among women and minority populations, during her postdoc at Texas Tech University. She also helped measure Americans’ understanding of germs, bacteria, COVID-19, and vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Opat is currently studying the uses of artificial intelligence in the classroom and the communications field. She is specifically interested in how AI literacy curriculum is being integrated into higher education.