SOLS PhD student selected for prestigious AAAS science journalism fellowship

Risa Schnebly, a PhD student in the School of Life Sciences, has been awarded a coveted spot in the AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship designed to strengthen science journalism and deepen the public’s understanding of environmental and scientific issues. The program, which begins in Washington, D.C., and culminates in a placement at the Cascadia Daily News in Washington state, will offer Schnebly an immersive experience in science communication.

Schnebly, who is pursuing her PhD in biology and society with an emphasis on science communication, will spend ten weeks this summer honing her journalism skills. The fellowship starts with orientation in the nation’s capital before she relocates to the Pacific Northwest to work as a science and environment reporter. Her placement at Cascadia Daily News, a smaller and more flexible newsroom, will allow her to dive straight into long-form reporting, an opportunity she says is both exciting and motivating.

“I’m really looking forward to embedding myself in the community, learning what matters to people there, and telling stories that connect science to those lived experiences,” Schnebly said. “It’s a chance to grow as both a writer and researcher.”

Reflecting on her path into science journalism, she’s been passionate and inspired to communicate science in compelling ways. After navigating through school, she now sees this fellowship as a tangible step toward turning a dream into a sustainable career.

“This fellowship means a lot,” she said. “It feels like the first time this dream is actually possible.”

For Schnebly, the fellowship is about more than writing news stories, it’s about building bridges. She views her role as a science communicator as essential in an era marked by widespread mistrust in science. “Too often, science hasn’t prioritized communication with the public. I want to change that,” she said.

With a background in writing and research, Schnebly is particularly eager to tackle environmental reporting from a human-centered angle. “It’s not just about the data,” she explained. “It’s about understanding why science matters to people’s lives.”

While she will have editorial guidance and story assignments, Schnebly is enthusiastic about pitching her own ideas. Topics she’s already exploring include environmental issues affecting the Pacific Northwest, changes in national forest regulations, and how local communities respond to federal policy shifts. She is especially interested in covering climate-related challenges such as water quality and conservation which are issues quite distinct from the drought-focused stories covered in Arizona.

“Getting to work in a newsroom that values quality over quantity, where I can focus on telling meaningful stories will push me to be a better writer and communicator,” she said.

ASU News will continue following Schnebly’s journey through social media updates and a culminating feature later this summer. For now, she’s packing her bags and her curiosity for what promises to be a transformative summer of storytelling.