Daniela Hernandez

Career Trajectory: From Neurobiology to Science Journalism

We’ve followed Daniela Hernandez’s career as she transitioned from academia to becoming a leading voice in science and health journalism. With a PhD in neurobiology from Columbia University, Hernandez brings rigorous analytical skills to her reporting, particularly on topics like AI in healthcare and environmental science. Her early work at Kaiser Health News and WIRED laid the foundation for her current role as a health and science reporter at The Wall Street Journal, where she produces investigative pieces and video content.

Key Articles and Impact

• How AI Is Revolutionizing Healthcare Diagnostics

This groundbreaking piece explores how machine learning algorithms are transforming diagnostic accuracy in hospitals. Hernandez interviewed clinicians using AI tools to detect cancers and rare diseases, highlighting both successes and ethical concerns about over-reliance on technology. Her analysis of FDA approval processes for AI-based devices revealed regulatory gaps that could impact patient safety.

• The Ethical Dilemmas of Genetic Engineering in Agriculture

In this WIRED feature, Hernandez examined CRISPR-modified crops through the lens of food security and ecological risk. She visited experimental farms in Kenya using drought-resistant maize, juxtaposing these innovations with concerns about corporate patent control. The article sparked debates at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization about equitable access to bioengineered crops.

• Disparities in Access to Mental Health Care During the Pandemic

This Kaiser Health News investigation revealed how telehealth expansion disproportionately excluded low-income communities. Hernandez analyzed Medicaid reimbursement data across 12 states, identifying systemic barriers to virtual care access. Her reporting influenced state-level policy changes in California and New York to fund broadband infrastructure for mental health clinics.

Beat Analysis and Pitching Recommendations

1. Focus on AI Implementation Challenges in Healthcare

Hernandez consistently explores the practical hurdles of deploying AI systems in clinical settings. A successful pitch might examine how hospitals are addressing algorithmic bias in diagnostic tools, similar to her 2023 WSJ piece on racial disparities in AI-powered mammography analysis. Include data from peer-reviewed studies or interviews with medical ethicists to align with her investigative approach.

2. Investigate Climate Change’s Impact on Disease Spread

Her coverage of Zika and COVID-19 outbreaks demonstrates interest in environmental factors driving pandemics. Propose stories linking rising temperatures to vector-borne disease patterns, ideally with geographic specificity (e.g., dengue fever expansion in the southern U.S.). Field data from epidemiologists and climate modelers would strengthen such pitches.

3. Highlight Neurotechnology Breakthroughs with Patient Perspectives

Given her neuroscience background, Hernandez prioritizes stories that humanize brain-computer interface research. Pitch case studies of patients using neural implants, paired with technical analysis from engineers. Avoid speculative futurism—focus on technologies currently in FDA trials with verifiable trial results.

Awards and Recognition

• AAAS Science Journalism Award (2022): Won for her WSJ series on AI in pandemic prediction, praised for balancing technical complexity with public health implications. The judging panel noted her ability to explain machine learning models to lay audiences without oversimplification.
• Gerald Loeb Award Finalist (2021): Recognized for investigative reporting on pharmaceutical companies using AI to manipulate drug pricing models. This series led to congressional hearings about algorithmic transparency in Medicare negotiations.