Thannickal recently moved to Birmingham from Ann Arbor, Mich., where she was the senior PR specialist at the Institute for Research on Women and Gender at the University of Michigan. She previously worked at Boston University, specializing in research and science news, and she worked at PR firms in New York and Boston. While raising her three children she was a freelance writer for a women’s health magazine and a PR consultant for national clients. Beena’s professional roots started in Connecticut where she worked as a reporter at news organizations throughout the state. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Connecticut. In her very little spare time, she likes to run and travel.

Beats: The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, cancer patient stories, cancer-related research