Her research concerns science communication and risk communication. A Virginia native and George Mason University alumna, she recently returned to her alma mater after 15 years on the faculty at Purdue University in Indiana. At Purdue, she taught courses in journalistic writing, science reporting, and risk communication. Her doctorate in the teaching of rhetoric and composition is from Purdue's English Department. Professor Rowan became interested in risk communication through her research on science communication in the mass media. She has several dozen scholarly and professional publications concerning effective methods for earning trust and explaining complex science. Kathy has presented workshops on risk communication for the Department of Agriculture, the National Academy of Sciences, and the EPA, among others.