Janelle Retka is an investigative reporter and editorial illustrator. Her work focuses on science and education.

Originally from Seattle, she spent her early career reporting in Southeast Asia and the rural U.S. before relocating to New York City. Her journalism has been recognized through several awards over the last decade, including an Edward R. Murrow investigative award, SPJ Sigma Delta Chi award for societal inequalities reporting, and Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing award in climate journalism. She has also been the recipient of three reporting fellowships.

In 2022, Janelle completed an MA in science reporting at Columbia Journalism School. Her illustrations have appeared in The New Yorker, Latino USA, Prison Journalism Project, The Mekong Review and elsewhere. She is a research associate producer on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

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