CHEMICAL PROPERTIES & DRUG DISPOSITION
Why Does Fentanyl Accumulate in Fat? ↗
An explanation of how molecular properties and tissue partitioning shape drug distribution.
WORK WITH JOSEPH CALIHAN
Scientific Writing
& Consulting
Clear, rigorous scientific communication grounded in pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and molecular biology.
SCIENCE, CLEARLY COMMUNICATED
From complex evidence
to clear understanding.
I help scientific teams, publishers, and educators explain complex science with precision and purpose. My interdisciplinary background connects pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, biochemistry, and molecular and cellular biology.
Each project starts with the audience, the scientific question, and the evidence. The aim is communication that preserves important distinctions, explains mechanisms clearly, and makes the limits of current knowledge visible.
Explore my scientific background →01 / SCIENTIFIC WRITING
Writing that respects
the science—and the reader.
Research-informed content shaped around your audience, format, and educational goals.
- Scientific articles and educational content
- Technical explanations of complex biological mechanisms
- Literature reviews and research summaries
- Pharmaceutical and toxicological science communication
- Educational materials and instructional content
From an accessible explanation to a detailed technical narrative, I focus on logical structure, accurate terminology, and a clear relationship between claims and supporting evidence.
02 / SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH & CONSULTING
A careful reading.
A connected perspective.
Focused scientific research and content review to support your team’s writing and educational work.
- Scientific literature research and synthesis
- Mechanistic pharmacology research
- Pharmaceutical chemistry and drug metabolism research
- Technical content review
- Scientific accuracy and terminology review
I examine how findings fit together, distinguish established mechanisms from interpretation, and identify where wording or context needs greater precision. Project scope and deliverables are agreed before work begins.
WHO I WORK WITH
For teams with
science to explain.
Pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies
Scientific content, literature synthesis, and clear explanations of drug mechanisms, metabolism, and toxicology.
Publishers & medical education organizations
Articles and educational materials that translate complex evidence into coherent, audience-appropriate narratives.
Universities, educational companies & research organizations
Instructional content, research summaries, and technical explanations that support scientific learning and communication.
SELECTED SCIENTIFIC WRITING
See the approach
in practice.
The ten-part series The Molecular Pharmacology of Fentanyl connects chemical properties, drug disposition, receptor pharmacology, analytical toxicology, and clinical mechanisms. These independent writing samples demonstrate how I build explanations around evidence.
PHARMACOKINETIC MODELING
Can We Predict Where Fentanyl Goes in the Human Body? ↗
A structured introduction to physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling and its assumptions.
ANALYTICAL TOXICOLOGY
How Do Toxicologists Measure Fentanyl in Blood and Urine? ↗
A discussion of analytical measurement and the interpretation of toxicological evidence.
MECHANISTIC PHARMACOLOGY
How Does Naloxone Reverse a Fentanyl Overdose? ↗
An evidence-focused explanation of receptor antagonism and the pharmacology of overdose reversal.
START A CONVERSATION
What science do
you need to communicate?
Tell me about your organization, topic, intended audience, deliverables, and timeline. We can discuss the scientific scope and whether my background is a good fit for the project.
Inquire about a project on LinkedIn ↗Opens my professional LinkedIn profile. You may need to sign in to connect or send a message.