Leighana Luther BS, CHES

Science Writer

United States

Leighana Luther is a freelance science writer and graduate student in the Science Writing MA program at Johns Hopkins University. She has a degree in public health and worked as an epidemiologist at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, investigating diseases like COVID, flu, RSV, and rabies. She’s a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) who enjoys learning a lot about a weird subject and then telling everyone about it. She gravitates towards no-nonsense, unpretentious scientific storytelling.

Portfolio
The Therapy Inn
10/08/2025
Is Utah's elevation making me depressed?

Mental health practice blog post: You may have heard that the high elevation here in the Rocky Mountains causes depression. Is there any truth to that?

Unpublished
Study shows nature-based pain relief is legit

News Story: Researchers at the University of Vienna recently published neuroimaging evidence that shows nature exposure reduces pain. Interestingly, fMRI data emphasizes that the pain reduction is not a placebo effect.

Unpublished
Deadly Dust: Silicosis in Work and Play

Feature Article: "Deadly Dust: Silicosis in Work and Play" Inhaling silica dust can cause a deadly condition called silicosis. It is incurable, but preventable. New hobby potters may not be aware of this risk. You know the feeling. Rustling through the attic, bouncing along a country road with ...

Unpublished
What is Pasteurization?

Explanatory Piece: "What is Pasteurization?" How hot do you like your coffee? Most people like their coffee to be somewhere around 140℉ when they take their morning sip. 140℉ is enough to give you a second degree burn with 3 seconds of contact, but some people like to live on the edge, apparent...

Utah Department of Health and Human Services
04/08/2025
RSV Disease Plan

A disease plan provides instruction and reference to clinicians, epidemiologists, and members of the public statewide.