The May 2025 issue of Scientific American will feature a diverse lineup of contributors, each bringing unique insights and experiences to the publication. The touching tale of an extraordinary family. Among this year’s featured authors is Caitlin O’Connell, whose work as a wildlife communicator is fueled by her emotional connection to elephants. Hannah Nordhaus dives into this amazing world of bees and finds out why they’re disappearing. In the process, Mark Belan literally takes readers’ breaths away with gorgeous photography. Willem Marx recounts his firsthand experience with the emerging deep-sea mining industry. There are many hardships that he must endure as he pioneers his way through these waters.
Caitlin O’Connell remembers the moment she first saw elephants, a moment that continues to make her weep 10 years later. It’s this emotional connection that has driven her desire to learn how they communicate and unlock the secrets of these majestic creatures. O’Connell first became interested in plant hopper insects. His research focused on how these insects converse, using sound waves that move down plant stalks and leaves.
While on a gap year after finishing her master’s program, she took a job at a national park in Namibia. It was here that she began to see the connections between the ways elephants communicate and what she had studied in the past. O’Connell’s observations led to her writing an article titled “Secrets of the Pachyderm Boys Club,” where she explores the social structures and interactions among elephant groups.
“This person has lived for so long, and what is his experience?” – Caitlin O’Connell
In addition to her research, O’Connell recently posed for a photograph squatting with three elephants in the background, capturing her deep connection to these animals and the natural world. Her efforts still keep readers entranced, gently coaxing them into discovering the marvelous world of wildlife communication.
In The Beekeeper’s Lament, Hannah Nordhaus deepens the contribution to the discussion by going deep into the scary collapse of bee communities. She began looking into this issue as far back as 2006. Whether she’s writing about bees or people, her work — which includes the book The Beekeeper’s Lament — illuminates the complex world of human-bee interactions. Nordhaus’ point is that for all her tales about bees, it always starts with people and what they’re doing with these essential pollinators.
Nordhaus grew up in Washington, D.C., in a politically engaged family. From there she ventured west to pursue her passions for history and environmental stewardship even further. Her unusual upbringing guides her vision as she addresses challenging environmental topics through her creative writing.
“All my bee stories have started with people.” – Hannah Nordhaus
Mark Belan, the third contributor, is a veteran of the field. His intention, as he says, is to make science sexy by using stunning visuals to capture the magic behind natural occurrences. Belan believes that by translating complex scientific ideas into captivating imagery, he can inspire a broader audience to appreciate scientific inquiry.
Willem Marx completes the quartet with his intrepid approach to reporting. His latest trip was aboard one of our MV Coco II off the coast of Papua New Guinea. During those months, he experienced the first commercial deep-sea mining operations in action. Marx, an avid traveller for assignments, here shares tales from his adventures on the creative road around the world. His recent reporting from Rome, including reporting on the pope’s health, is a testament to his adaptability as a reporter.
“It rarely happens that the industry at the center of controversy says [to a journalist], ‘Come and have a look,’” – Willem Marx
In her own retrospective, Marx recognizes that reporting in highly charged, controversial spaces is not without its pitfalls. In our conversation, he discusses the cumulative burden of restrictions thrust upon journalists working high-profile stories in areas of conflict—not just in war zones.
“That’s a pretty intense requirement for a story outside of a combat zone, as far as I’m concerned.” – Willem Marx
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