Alyson Smith is an ASBMB Today contributor who writes about ASBMB scientists and their research. She recently earned her Ph.D. at The Scripps Research Institute, where she studied the red blood cell cytoskeleton. She now works as a scientist and scientific writer at Vala Sciences in San Diego. She is passionate about communicating science through the written word and enjoys working with other scientists to analyze and present data and to craft compelling stories about their discoveries for a variety of platforms. Outside of the office, she advocates for other scientists by volunteering for the local chapter of the Association for Women in Science and for PhD Balance, an organization that supports graduate student mental health. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, running and baking. You can find more of her writing at https://cellsandbooks.home.blog/