Meet the Team
Dia L. Michels
Founder and Publisher
Dia L. Michels founded Science Naturally in 2006. With Platypus Media focusing on attachment parenting, she wanted a vehicle to promote entertaining and accurate ways to engage children in STEM topics. She loves working with the authors and selecting illustrators, and really enjoys developing and licensing world language editions of the books Science Naturally publishes.
In addition to editing and publishing manuscripts, she has written or coauthored over a dozen books for children and adults. Her books have been translated into Spanish, Dutch, Bengali, Hebrew, Haitian Creole, and Washoe. A popular speaker, Dia presents at healthcare, parenting, and education conferences across the country. She is the mother of three grown children, who still keep her busy with their crazy lives, and has several cats.
Favorite Children's Books:
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox
The Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau by Jon Agee
Tommy at the Grocery Store by Bill Grossman
Ali Trujillo
Chief Operating Officer
Ali keeps Science Naturally running by managing day-to-day operations and logistics. He works with the publisher to implement systems to streamline operations and finances. Ali also works on production coordination, proofreading, and translating Spanish titles.
Prior to joining Science Naturally, Ali worked at World Wildlife Fund as senior assistant for the food waste program where he managed contract processes for private sector consultants. At WWF Ali also collaborated in admin meetings with clients and colleagues on conservation efforts. He also worked at R Street Institute, a DC-based think tank as a finance and operations associate. Previously he was a production coordinator at Asia Pacific Offset, an international print management company.
Favorite Children's Book:
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
Eileen M. Halpin
Senior Editor and Art Director
Eileen is a creative professional with a passion for storytelling and collaboration. At Science Naturally, she operates in a cross-functional capacity, supporting project development, outreach, and marketing initiatives. In her dual role, she helps guide the visual and narrative direction of projects, working closely with authors, illustrators, and partners to execute and grow the company’s content and brand.
Eileen’s dedication to bookmaking stems from a desire to inspire wonder and create books that stay with a child long after the final page is turned. She is especially drawn to the intersection of narrative, education, and visual strategy, ensuring every page bridges ideas and hearts. When she isn’t shaping new titles for the press, she is working on her own mythic stories, whimsical illustrations and reading books to her new baby.
Favorite Children's Books:
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
The Hilda Series by Luke Pearson
Samantha DeWeese
Associate Editor and Marketing Coordinator
Samantha is interested in how storytelling shifts across forms. At Platypus Media, she moves between marketing and editorial work, bringing the same attention to voice and tone whether she’s shaping messaging or reading a manuscript. As a marketing major and creative writing minor, she’s especially drawn to the space where strategy and story overlap. Outside of work, she writes poetry and is always thinking about how language can feel different depending on where it lives, such as on a page, in a film, or in a campaign.
Samantha attends Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business, where she is pursuing a B.S. in Marketing with a minor in Creative Writing. Her coursework focuses on consumer behavior, marketing strategy, creative writing workshops, and digital media production. She additionally has a background in accounting and finance.
Favorite Children's Books:
Where the Wild Things Are
The Harry Potter Series
Darwin Castillo
Information and Technology Coordinator
Darwin has many talents that keep the company afloat, like building and repairing computers, troubleshooting technical difficulties, designing and building storage solutions, and generally fixing everyone's problems. He also has experience in graphic design and home renovation. In his free time, Darwin enjoys mountaineering across the US.
Favorite Book:
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes