John McConnell specializes in global health crises, environmental impacts on disease, and equitable healthcare access. Based in the U.S., his reporting spans six continents, combining data journalism with on-the-ground narratives.
We’ve followed John McConnell’s contributions to science journalism for over a decade, observing his nuanced coverage of infectious diseases, public health policies, and environmental intersections with human health. His work blends rigorous scientific analysis with accessible storytelling, making complex topics relatable to both academic and general audiences.
McConnell’s career began in academia, with a Ph.D. in Management from Purdue University and an MBA in Finance, equipping him with analytical rigor. Transitioning to journalism, he focused on translating technical research into actionable insights. His early pieces for The Lancet Infectious Diseases established his reputation for dissecting global health crises, such as antimicrobial resistance and pandemic preparedness.
This landmark 2023 investigation exposed how antibiotic misuse in agricultural practices fuels drug-resistant pathogens. McConnell interviewed over 50 researchers across 12 countries, highlighting case studies from India’s poultry farms to U.S. livestock hubs. The article spurred policy debates in the EU and inspired a WHO initiative to monitor farming-sector antibiotic use.
Published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, this 2024 piece analyzed telemedicine adoption in Appalachia. McConnell embedded with healthcare workers for three weeks, documenting how virtual care bridges gaps in maternal health and chronic disease management. His findings are now cited in NIH grants for rural health tech.
McConnell traced malaria’s expansion into previously temperate zones through satellite climate data and fieldwork in Colombia. The article’s interactive maps showing disease migration patterns earned a AAAS Science Journalism Award nomination in 2024.
McConnell prioritizes stories where health intersects with environmental or economic factors. For example, his antimicrobial resistance piece linked veterinary practices to human mortality rates. Pitches should highlight cross-sector implications, such as how urban planning affects dengue fever outbreaks.
His Appalachia telemedicine article succeeded by pairing regional patient stories with national policy analysis. Provide localized case studies with scalable insights, like a village’s malaria prevention strategy that could inform WHO guidelines.
McConnell frequently covers AI-driven disease prediction models and low-cost diagnostic tools. Pitch innovations with real-world testing data, like a mobile app reducing TB misdiagnoses in Kenya by 40%.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Science, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
