Rina Diane Caballar

Turning a deep distrust of water into love When a New Zealand town needed a new water-treatment facility, they built a first-of-its-kind community hub that combines art, science, indigenous knowledge and play.

I've had another article published (I know, I'm on a roll!) This one is about Waiaroha, a water-treatment plant, community hub, and discovery centre all in one, delivered by a huge team, and co-designed by local Māori 🧪 thebrilliant.com/case-studies...

Showcasing Māori engineering brilliance, one podcast at a time - The Brilliant As an undergrad, Alyce Lysaght struggled to find stories about Māori engineers. She decided to change that, launching a podcast that has become a destination for students and professionals alike

Resharing my article about Alyce Lysaght that was published last week in The Brilliant. I've been listening to Lysaght’s Māori in Engineering podcast for a while, so it was a genuine pleasure to sit down and talk with her about her life and work. thebrilliant-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/thebrill... 🧪

Love this, Laurie!

Sticky: The Secret Science of Surfaces a book by Laurie Winkless. You are surrounded by stickiness. With every step you take, air molecules cling to you and slow you down; the effect is harder to ignore in water. When you hit the road, whether powered by pedal or en...

If you're in the market for a pop-sci book, please consider picking up a copy of mine. I think it's the best thing I've ever written. Nature called it "a wild ride", which I love 🦎
Or if you've already read & enjoyed it, could you please write a lil review? Thx 😊
uk.bookshop.org/p/books/stic...

A kākāpō chick on the forest floor at night.

Want a deep dive into all things #kakapo? Check out the latest @docgovtnz Sounds of Science podcast, where I tell some of the #conservation stories you won’t hear elsewhere. Stream online at www.doc.govt.nz/podcast or in your podcast app. #parrots #SoundsOfScience #scicomms

Restoring giant underwater forests, one blade at a time Giant kelp are at risk due to climate change and human activities. In New Zealand, a community effort is rebuilding these underwater algal forests.

It's #NZ #SeaWeek 🌊 To celebrate, I'm sharing my feature for @snexplores.bsky.social on restoring giant kelp forests in Wellington. It's a community effort helmed by Love Rimurimu & involves scientists + a team of "kelpers" — volunteer divers, kids, and teens 🧪 🌏

www.snexplores.org/article/rest...

I don't like "Your first draft will be shitty" as advice, because it's a really negative framing.

I prefer, "You have the freedom to be messy creating your first draft."

Anyone crafter knows what their room looks like mid-creation. Writers should be as free to be as exhuberent and messy.

COP28 Takeaway: Are Low-Carbon Websites Possible? COP28 website’s low-carbon version is a missed opportunity

With #COP28 ending, I wrote about how the low-carbon version of its website is a missed opportunity, w/ brilliant analysis from two web developers & web sustainability advocates + tips on how to create a truly low-carbon website

spectrum.ieee.org/internet-car...

Appreciate the boost!

It is exciting! I hope I get to see one in person in my lifetime if these conservation efforts continue. Thanks for reading!

Awww❤️ You're a fricken awesome science writer yourself 🧪👩‍🔬

Thanks for sharing my story!

I had fun writing this story for Knowable Magazine about Aotearoa NZ's 🇳🇿quest to save its endangered kākāpō. Genomic sequencing 🧬 + relocating #birds from offshore islands to a mainland fenced sanctuary are slowly restoring these rotund, flightless parrots🦜 🪶 🧪

knowablemagazine.org/article/livi...

Just listened to this and the part about bringing a 'sense of touch' to robots & prosthetic limbs was so interesting!

Is this what I think it is? If it is, you'd be perfect for it!🤞🏽+ toes crossed for you!

Sending hugs and positive vibes!

Absolutely loved the SCANZ conference. Best array of nature and science gathered fashion I’ve ever seen. Also really interesting talks and great people.

Loved meeting you!

Thanks so much for linking us up☺️ Having a connector buddy was a huge help!

Rina and Laurie at the 2023 Science Communicators Association of New Zealand conference.

Enjoyed my 1st science comms conference in Aotearoa. THE highlight was hanging out w/ @lauriewinkless.bsky.social — brilliant writer, amazing science storyteller & lovely human all around. We're Twitter mutuals but finally met IRL & got on fabulously. I hope it's the start of a wonderful friendship.

#addBirder

Vote for your Bird of the Century poster featuring chubby cartoon kererū, kororā and huia with vegetation and a green check mark. www.birdoftheyear.org.nz

sry Aotearoa there's one more important election you need to vote in - polls open at 9am on Monday at www.birdoftheyear.org.nz ✅

We have a runner🦜

ML608452541 Green Heron Macaulay Library Macaulay Library ML608452541; © Arthur Mercado; Hennepin, Minnesota, United States

I carefully maintain a list of the funniest images I've ever seen on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's wonderful Macaulay Library, and today I gift them to you
macaulaylibrary.org/asset/608452...

As Malte Jung of Cornell says, "When we think about design in #HCI, there is often a tendency to focus on the primary user and design just for them ... We often forget these ‘onlookers’ and we’re not designing with them in mind.”

AR Glasses Spawn a Whole New Social Dynamic Is there a power imbalance between wearers and nonwearers in mixed company?

For IEEE Spectrum, I wrote about a study conducted by researchers at Cornell University & Brown University on how #AugmentedReality glasses create a power imbalance & insights on how the industry can design more inclusive #AR tech
spectrum.ieee.org/ar-glasses

For AARP International's annual magazine, The Journal, I ventured into Nelson's Brook Waimārama Sanctuary & Paremata Flats Reserve to profile older volunteers, who are major contributors to Aotearoa New Zealand's #conservation efforts🌏
www.aarpinternational.org/the-journal/...

Tūīs are my favorite birds. Love their regal and majestic vibes.

Kia Ora👋🏽

Finally made my way to bluer skies! I'm Rina, a freelance journalist covering tech & its intersections w/ science, society & the environment. I'm also a copy editor & content writer. Born & raised in the Philippines🇵🇭, now living in Aotearoa🇳🇿 Excited to connect & share my work w/ everyone on here!