The Reynolds School of Journalism is happy to welcome back alumna Kelsey Fitzgerald this fall as Reynolds associate professor of practice in science communication. Fitzgerald is an experienced science communications professional with a background in biology and ecology.

After being inspired to write science stories during her work on restoration projects around the western U.S., Fitzgerald covered environmental issues as a journalist in Reno and worked as a science writer and senior communications official at the Desert Research Institute. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Skidmore College and earned a Master of Arts in Interactive Journalism from the Reynolds School in 2015.

“I had a fantastic experience here as a graduate student and I am excited to return and contribute in a different capacity,” Fitzgerald said. “I am happy to still see some familiar faces and looking forward to getting to know a lot of new colleagues.”

In addition to teaching science communication classes, Fitzgerald will also coordinate the Hitchcock Project for Visualizing Science, a Reynolds School initiative that produces health and science information in accessible, multimedia ways and trains scientists to better communicate their work to general audiences. The project is generously supported by Mick Hitchcock, a biochemist, microbiologist and philanthropist.

“With the Hitchcock Project, I am especially excited about the possibilities for reporting on how climate change is impacting people in Nevada and what some of the solutions might look like,” Fitzgerald said. “I am also interested in working with science students across UNR who would like to improve their communication skills.”