Unidan
Ben Eisenkop | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1985 or 1986 (age 38–39) |
| Nationality | United States |
| Other names | Unidan (pseudonym) |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Alma mater | BS in Biology and BS in Environmental Science from Binghamton University |
| Known for | Answering questions about biology and ecology on Reddit |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Biology, ecology |
| Institutions | Binghamton University, New York, United States |
| Patrons | |
Ben Eisenkop, better known by his pseudonym Unidan, is a doctoral candidate in biology at Binghamton University, who became popular on the social media website Reddit as the "excited biologist" who answers questions and explains concepts related to biology and ecology.[1][2][3]
Background
Eisenkop earned his bachelor's degrees in biology and environmental science from Binghamton University in Vestal, New York, and is currently a doctoral student there. He works as a graduate instructor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Binghamton University, teaching courses in biology, ecology, and environmental science. His doctoral research is on ecosystem ecology; he studies how communally roosting crows in New York affect the environment. [2][4][5]
Eisenkop enjoys doing improv comedy, and has performed at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.[6]
Popularity on Reddit
Eisenkop, using the pseudonym Unidan, had been answering biology-related questions on Reddit for several years, when an Ask Me Anything ("AMA", a Q&A style event hosted on Reddit) he did in 2013 made it to the front page of Reddit. Thereafter, his popularity rose and he became one of the most recognizable Redditors (demonym of Reddit users). Eisenkop's popularity and visibility on Reddit garnered him many science education-related job offers, and he now works as a science writer for Mental Floss.[2][7]
References
- ^ "'I am the Excited Biologist! AMA': Unidan's Reddit AMA". Reddit. April 25, 2013. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
- ^ a b c Rahman, Tania (October 11, 2013). "Binghamton University TA schools Reddit". Binghamton University Pipe Dream. Vestal, New York: Binghamton University. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
- ^ Silverman, Matt (April 26, 2013). "'Excited Biologist' Captures Hearts and Minds of Reddit". Mashable. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
- ^ "How u/Unidan became Reddit's go-to science guy". Fox News. March 17, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
- ^ Shea, Anna (February 25, 2014). "Reddit, Research and the Strange Case of /u/Unidan". University of Melbourne. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
- ^ Fenn, Mike (November 14, 2013). "This ecologist and amateur comic is the most popular man on Reddit". The Daily Dot. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
- ^ Green, Alexa (October 19, 2013). "Binghamton University graduate assistant rises to Reddit fame". Central New York: Time Warner Cable News. Retrieved April 15, 2014.