Carrie McDonough studies the ocean, but she also writes about it, and not just for other scientists. Through her blog—”oceanbites“—she translates complicated research into words the general public can understand.

Since her first post in the fall of 2013, she has gained more than 10,000 Twitter followers and 500 Facebook fans—no small feat for someone who is busy finishing up her Ph.D. at the URI Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO).

Most of Carrie’s 21 “oceanbites” contributors are GSO students or alumni writing about the chemistry, geology, biology, ecology, and physics of the oceans. The posts are serious and funny—a recent one in honor of Valentine’s Day was about the mating habits of lobsters—and always informative. McDonough’s specialty is marine pollution, an interest she cultivated as a child growing up in Cleveland near the Great Lakes. McDonough got the idea for the blog from “astrobites,’’ a blog with a compelling yet simple approach to astrophysics.

With issues like climate change, environmental pollution, and coastal erosion dominating policy debates, McDonough says it’s more important than ever for scientists to write in a way that everyone comprehends.

“Environmental scientists have a responsibility to explain their research to the public and policymakers,’’ says McDonough. “Our site strives to increase public awareness about the amazing resources in our ocean and the serious environmental threats it faces from climate change and chemical pollution.’’