Science/Research reporter

Lisa Krieger

Lisa M. Krieger is a Bay Area News Group science writer for The Mercury News and East Bay Times, covering research, scientific policy and environmental news from Stanford University, the University of California, NASA-Ames, U.S. Geological Survey and other Bay Area-based research facilities. She graduated from Duke University with a BA degree in biology. She splits her time between Palo Alto and Inverness, and in her spare time likes wildlife photography, swimming, skiing and backpacking.

In a rare piece of environmental good news, harmful predators are almost gone. In their place are helpful creatures who are safely returning to eat algae and other fine particles.

Environment |
The mysterious shift that may be helping Lake Tahoe regain its legendary clarity

July 10, 2023 at 4:19 p.m.

In a rare piece of environmental good news, harmful predators are almost gone. In their place are helpful creatures who are safely returning to eat algae and other fine particles.

Soft and flexible electronics are bringing artificial “skin” closer than ever to reality.

Health |
Stanford team makes electronic skin that can sense touch

June 2, 2023 at 5:23 a.m.

Soft and flexible electronics are bringing artificial “skin” closer than ever to reality.

Kevin Bell, California director of Gold Prospectors of America, pans for gold in Moore Creek near Buck Meadows, Calif.

Environment |
Raging California rivers are replenishing historic Gold Rush spots

May 15, 2023 at 2:43 p.m.

Prospectors are racing to find “flood gold,” fine-sized flakes created by this winter's storms and then deposited by rivers.

A deer eyes a human walking the Sawyer Camp Trail alongside the Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir, Wednesday, May 19, 2021, in Burlingame, Calif.

Environment |
California's first case of COVID infection in wildlife

May 8, 2023 at 8:12 a.m.

The finding in a deer in El Dorado County, announced by California Department of Fish and Wildlife, adds to the growing concern by scientists that animals could act as a...

UC Davis medical students Sasha Beacham, left, and Kayla Alexander, second from left, work with Dr. Mark Henderson, center, as they visit with patient John Boreni, right, at the U.C. Davis Medical Center on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Sacramento, Calif.

Education |
One man's quest to diversify our doctors — without considering race

May 2, 2023 at 10:08 a.m.

When Dr. Mark Henderson took over admissions at UC Davis School of Medicine in 2007, about 15% of incoming students were Black, Hispanic or Indigenous, groups that are historically underrepresented...

The young orphan whale survived a ship strike last summer that killed her celebrity mother and was spotted Sunday in Monterey Bay – hale, hearty and hungry.

Environment |
A ship killed her celebrity mother. How Aria the orphan whale survived to play in Monterey Bay

April 20, 2023 at 10:49 a.m.

The young orphan whale survived a ship strike last summer that killed her celebrity mother and was spotted Sunday in Monterey Bay – hale, hearty and hungry.

Emily Griswold, senior staff horticulturalist for the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden, checks on a cedar elm tree growing in her "Climate-Ready Trees" project

Environment |
What California can learn from Texas trees

April 18, 2023 at 8:57 a.m.

A 20-year UC Davis research study called “Climate-Ready Trees” is using the university’s campus as a living lab to see if these trees can help California cities find new favorite...

Tammy Snyder prepares to plug an electrical power cord into a 1,500-watt power inverter located in the trunk of her 2017 Chevy Volt

Technology |
How your car can power your home

April 17, 2023 at 8:57 a.m.

Coming soon: EVs that are equipped to not just receive power, but also deliver it. A Santa Cruz Mountains woman's improvised system points the way forward.

An overall view of the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory campus, including the building that sits on top of the longest linear particle accelerator in the world, in Menlo Park, Calif.

Environment |
The race for a better battery: Stanford, SLAC and Silicon Valley join forces

April 14, 2023 at 7:36 a.m.

As demand soars for electric vehicles and renewable power, a new SLAC-Stanford Battery Center aims to build a better battery.

Rewriting the rules of reproduction, scientists have created mice with two dads. Could humans be next?

Science |
Two dads, one baby? Gene technique works in mice

April 10, 2023 at 1:07 p.m.

Rewriting the rules of reproduction, scientists have created mice with two dads. Could humans be next?

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