Meet the 2024 SHERF fellows

Twelve journalists have been selected for the National Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellowships (SHERF) program, now in its third year.

The fellowship is a collaboration of CASW, the Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ), and the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ), offering training, mentoring and networking opportunities to early-career journalists pursuing careers in science, health or environmental reporting while they continue their work.

“We’ve been continually impressed each year by the caliber of early career applicants for this fellowship,” said Kelsey Ryan, executive director of AHCJ. “This year’s cohort in particular shows a strong passion for reporting on science, health and environment—and sharing that with their diverse communities across the U.S.”

Supported by the HHMI Science and Educational Media Group, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the program will offer selected fellows custom workshops and webinars, registration and support to attend national conferences, and professional mentors to assist with their career development.

“Knowing how coverage of science, health, and the environment intertwines, the promise for SHERF fellows is to elevate public understanding, inspiring the conversations we need in an era marked by disinformation and distrust of the news media,” said Aparna Mukherjee, executive director of SEJ. “Empowering these emerging voices is a vital component of SEJ’s future and growth. I am inspired by their commitment to exploring these critical topics, as they guide us towards the future of community-engaged and responsive journalism.”

The 2024 fellows are:

• Alejandra Martinez, environmental reporter, The Texas Tribune, Fort Worth, Texas.

• Allison Kite, energy, environment, agriculture reporter, The Missouri Independent and The Kansas Reflector, Kansas City, Mo.

• Britny Cordera, audio reporter, Oklahoma City, Okla.

• Dillon Bergin, data reporter, MuckRock, Philadelphia, Pa.

• Eli Cahan, freelance journalist, New York, N.Y.

• Elizabeth Rembert, Harvest Public Media reporter, Nebraska Public Media, Omaha, Neb.

• Ian Stevenson, state politics and investigative reporter, The Idaho Statesman, Boise, Idaho.

• Jenae Barnes, health and environment reporter, Capital B/Capital B Gary, Gary, Ind.

• Jeniffer Solis, environment and energy reporter, States Newsroom and Nevada Current, Las Vegas, Nev.

• Mandy Nguyen, producer, Vox, Brooklyn, N.Y.

• Patrick Orsagos, video journalist, Associated Press, Columbus, Ohio.

• Sarah Volpenhein, health care reporter, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee, Wis.

“Reporting on science, health and environment demands training, dedication, and the agility and sensitivity to craft stories on complex topics for diverse audiences,” said Rosalind Reid, executive director of CASW. “These SHERF fellows have the commitment and vision they’ll need to become leaders in our fields. We’re thrilled with the opportunity to help them build their toolkit, and grateful to our supporters for helping ensure quality journalism in especially challenging times.”

The fellowship for the 2024 program attracted many highly qualified, talented applicants, with nearly 90 journalists applying for the opportunity.