Irene Wright

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Irene Wright lives and works in Atlanta, Georgia.

As a Real Time Reporter for the McClatchy News national team, Irene pitches and writes stories that feel local, but have national interest and can be shared with all 30 McClatchy publications across the United States. She covers national health and medical stories, international animal and archaeology stories and real-time news in the southeast.

In 2021, she earned her BA in Ecology and Anthropology from the University of Georgia. Irene focused on the intersection between the environment and culture and spent time taking courses in science as well as creative writing and science communication.

Irene pursued Master’s in Health and Medical Journalism to bridge the gap between scientists and the public. As part of that program, she studied the healthcare system of Cuba and spent time in the country. She completed her program in December 2022.

As a graduate student, Irene worked as a writer for Columns where she wrote weekly segments on “Newsmakers” around campus and “Weekly Readers” from the UGA Press. She also wrote the “Campus Close-Up” profiles and various other feature pieces as she covered events and awards.

Irene served as the Medicine and Science Reporting Fellow for Dallas Morning News in the summer of 2022. She worked on the business desk to cover the booming biotechnology industry in Dallas, healthcare mergers and acquisitions, research funding for UT Southwestern, Mark Cuban’s pharmaceutical company, and other health topics. She also transitioned quickly to cover the Texas electricity grid during a historic heat wave in the state. She focused on the investment in renewable options as well as electric cars, electricity prices and company profits.

Irene worked with the Georgia Dolphin Ecology Program during her undergrad as a student researcher and photographer. She took photos of dolphin fins that could be used to create a database of identified individuals for population studies.
On the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, Irene studied tropical ecology and mangrove sustainability. As part of a larger project, Irene learned about agritourism in Costa Rica, particularly in the coffee industry.
In 2019, Irene hiked through Machu Picchu and spent time in the town speaking with locals about tourist sustainability. During this trip, Irene visited Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos.
Irene hopes to stay true to her ecology roots as she moves into public health. Human health can be directly attributed to the health of our planet, so by taking care of the planet you take care of yourself.
Irene lived in San Luis de Monteverde for four months in fall 2019 while she studied tropical ecology and conducted research on a coffee fungus known as coffee rust, or ‘roya’ to the locals. Her research was presented at the Graduate Student Symposium at the Odum School of Ecology.
As a travel writer for Global Treks and Adventures, Irene spent a summer in Big Sky, Montana, hiking trails, speaking with locals, and writing a chapter for an upcoming travel publication focusing on sustainable tourism. She wrote about how to be a good environmental steward and how to Leave No Trace.
While in Big Sky, Irene got a feel for the mountain life and was able to live and work almost entirely outside while she traveled and wrote.
Irene is an avid Dawg fan and stays engaged in the happenings and events of the University of Georgia.