Fig. 0 · A first transmission, translated

Hello, world.

I’m Erin Kinghorn, a science communicator in Cape Town. I turn evidence into understanding, and understanding into the conditions for a decision.

Research Communications Officer at the University of Cape Town’s Clinical Omics and Informatics Unit (COIN), where I built the communications function from the ground up. Trained in human genetics; happiest where science, story and design overlap.

See selected work Connect on LinkedIn

Portrait of Erin Kinghorn, smiling, against a grey studio backdrop — Fig. 1 — Erin KinghornCape Town, ZA

* The headline is a protein. Each letter is the amino acid its codon encodes. “O” is pyrrolysine, read from TAG, usually a stop codon. The full stop is a real one: TAA.

Organic LinkedIn follower growth for COIN in year one: 126%; Organic LinkedIn follower growth for COIN in year one
LinkedIn impressions, no paid media: 74k+; LinkedIn impressions, no paid media
Countries listening to When the Code Speaks: 29; Countries listening to When the Code Speaks
Of podcast downloads from outside South Africa: 31%; Of podcast downloads from outside South Africa

Selected work

Three audiences. Three translations.

01The public

When the Code Speaks

Podcast · creator, producer & host

Challenge: Genomic medicine shapes diagnosis and care, yet it is often invisible and intimidating to the people it affects most.
Approach: Rather than explain genomics, I let people tell it. Each episode centres a researcher, clinician or patient, and I run every stage myself, from concept to edit, to keep one consistent voice.
Result: Nine episodes in plain language, heard in 29 countries across six continents.

A recording session for When the Code Speaks: a vision mixer showing camera feeds of guests on a studio sofa — Fig. 2 — On set, recording an episode

02Funders & partners

The Odyssey Project

Fundraising initiative · co-founder & lead

Challenge: Rare disease genomics is complex and hard to fund, and the people it helps are often overlooked.
Approach: Make giving easy and meet supporters where they already are: UCT’s Section 18A receipts, sport and peer-to-peer campaigns, and a Voyager identity that turns one-off donors into a community.
Result: A substantial sponsorship from Inqaba Biotech, a direct partnership with BackaBuddy, and a growing supporter community.

Two hands, one lighter and one darker, joined by a blue and turquoise beaded necklace against a bright blue background — Fig. 3 — “One genome at a time” campaign imagery

A hand holding a small beaded DNA double helix against a blue background — Fig. 3 — “One genome at a time” campaign imagery

03Patients & families

Patient-facing leaflets

Co-developed with N. Peerbhai

Challenge: Genomic information is hard to absorb, especially for families already navigating uncertainty.
Approach: Separate versions for adults and children that translate complex concepts into clear language and approachable visuals, without losing scientific accuracy or nuance.
Result: A suite of leaflets that supports better conversations with clinicians. Available on request.

01From Clinic to Discovery

02Your Genetics, Your Story

03The Gene Journey

Background

A geneticist by training, who found that the hardest part of the science was helping people hear it.