Environmental Reporting Fellowships (2001-2006)

  Former Fellows

 Blogs By Fellows

Brandie Jefferson had dreams of being a scientist until she discovered a desire to understand where science fits in society, in the past, today, and in the future. After graduating from the University of Illinois with a BA in History and Philosophy of Science, Jefferson moved to Rhode Island and earned her MA in print Journalism from Boston University. She then worked at The Providence Journal as a Chips Quinn Scholar and is now at the Journal as a Metcalf Fellow. Jefferson covers science-based environmental issues, especially those that concern urban areas, under the mentorship of Peter B. Lord, Environment Writer for the Journal. In the future, Jefferson would like to freelance, making it possible for her to write small, local news items as well as in-depth, magazine features of national and international importance. She currently is a reporter for Associated Press, Boston.

After graduating from Fordham University with a BS in psychology, Ayana Meade began her career in journalism at John Wiley and Sons, the scientific publisher. While working as an editorial assistant, she contributed articles to Inside R&D, a newsletter that covers emerging trends in science and technology. During her time at Wiley, she completed a Master's degree in publishing management from New York University in 2004. Meade worked at IBM as worldwide market intelligence Website staff writer. She did some freelance writing for the online publication, the JC Report, and produced her own cable TV show covering fashion, called "Fashion Informer".

Meade's passion for environmental issues has led her back to science journalism through the Metcalf Institute Environmental Reporting Fellowship, where she is currently reporting for WBUR radio in Boston.

Scott Lowe reported for The Providence Journal in Providence, RI and wrote more than 20 articles on many environmental issues, including invasive species, wildlife legislation and open space.

Before he began his work at the Journal, Lowe studied environmental sciences for four weeks with Dr. Peter August, Professor of Landscape Ecology, URI, and Director of the Coastal Institute; Dr. John Merrill, Professor of Oceanography, GSO; and Dr. Roger LeBrun, Carnegie Professor of Life Sciences, URI.

Prior to the fellowship, Lowe was a reporter at the University Daily Kansan, the Lawrence Journal-World, and the Prince George Gazette. A native of Virginia Beach, VA, he earned a BA in English from Morehouse College in Atlanta and a Master's in journalism from the University of Kansas. Lowe hopes to cover environmental issues abroad.

Scott Lowe can be contacted at hitorque@hotmail.com.

Caroline Rodriguez learned radio production at NPR-member station, WRNI, in Providence, Rhode Island, with Executive Producer Mark Degon, and wrote and produced radio features. Her stories included the declining health of Narragansett Bay, urban development, and fisheries.

Rodriguez began her Metcalf Institute fellowship at URI with guidance from Dr. John King, Professor of Oceanography, GSO and Dr. Arthur Gold, Professor, Natural Resources Science, URI. Rodriguez studied a wide array of environmental topics ranging from estuarine ecology to biotechnology and climate change. In July 2003, she was presented with a unique opportunity to accompany a team of scientists on the GSO research vessel Endeavor. The purpose of the expedition was to research the role of zooplankton grazers in harmful algal bloom dynamics.

Rodriguez freelanced for the Ithaca Journal, Ithaca Times, and Elmira Star-Gazette and was the arts and entertainment editor at the Ithaca Times. She received a BA in music and a minor in writing from Ithaca College in 2001. After her fellowship, Rodriguez was accepted to the Master's degree program in Environmental Science at Brown University.

Edward Ortiz was a Metcalf Fellow at The Providence Journal and worked with Peter B. Lord, Environment Writer, and Jean Plunkett, Assistant City Editor. Ortiz wrote more than 70 articles there, covering global warming, fish kills, air pollution, and water management.

Dr. John King, Professor of Oceanography, GSO, and Dr. Arthur Gold, Professor, Natural Resources Science, URI, mentored Ortiz during his independent study at URI.

Prior to working at The Providence Journal, Ortiz was a scriptwriter for the Academy of Television of Arts and Sciences, a social justice columnist for bustedhalo.com, and a reporter at the North Adams Transcript and Boston Globe. He was a feature writer for the Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Mass. Ortiz received a BA in film from San Francisco University in 1990 and an MFA in dramatic writing from New York University in 1998.

Edward Ortiz can be contacted at erevolver@hotmail.com.

Suzannah Gonzales was Metcalf Institute's first Environmental Reporting Fellow. She worked at NPR-member station WRNI, Providence, Rhode Island, where she wrote and produced 11 radio features, covering biodiversity, lead poisoning and public health risks in the environment.

Dr. John King, Professor of Oceanography, GSO, and Dr. Roger LeBrun, Carnegie Professor of Life Sciences, URI, worked with Gonzales during her four weeks of independent study at the University of Rhode Island.

A two-year reporting intern at The Providence Journal, Gonzales came to the fellowship with experience at the Washington Post, Newsweek Interactive, and Voice of America. She received a BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Chicago in 1998. Following her fellowship, Gonzales was a reporter for the St. Petersburg Times and is pursuing a Master's degree at the University of Texas, Austin.