Lewis Kamb is an award-winning investigative reporter currently writing for U.S. Right to Know, specializing in public records-driven accountability journalism. His work focuses on three core areas:
intellectual property law, pharmaceutical R&D
Published April 7, 2025 in U.S. Right to Know, this landmark investigation revealed a suppressed Defense Department analysis suggesting SARS-CoV-2 could be laboratory-engineered. Kamb obtained previously classified documents through persistent FOIA litigation spanning three administrations. The methodology combined technical analysis of viral genome sequencing with geopolitical analysis of China's biosecurity protocols.
Key findings included internal debates about gain-of-function research oversight and discrepancies in early case reporting from Wuhan. This work sparked renewed Congressional hearings about pandemic origins transparency and influenced WHO's revised investigation framework.
This 2022 Axios investigation exposed systemic transparency failures in law enforcement record-keeping. Kamb filed parallel requests across 12 jurisdictions to establish comparative benchmarks, revealing Seattle PD's response time was 317% slower than comparable cities. The piece combined quantitative analysis of response timelines with qualitative interviews from families denied access to critical incident reports.
Kamb's early-career work unearthing municipal contracting irregularities earned him the 2016 SPJ Journalist of the Year award. Through forensic analysis of 14,000 pages of procurement documents, he revealed a pay-to-play scheme involving wastewater management contracts. The investigation led to two federal indictments and reforms in Washington's public bidding processes.
Kamb consistently investigates conflicts of interest in federally funded research. Recent FOIA-driven reporting on NIH grant oversight demonstrates his interest in institutional review board effectiveness. Pitch opportunities: Whistleblower accounts from research institutions, analysis of corporate influence on academic studies, comparative international regulatory frameworks.
His COVID-19 origins investigation exemplifies deep interest in biosecurity protocols and pandemic preparedness. Effective pitches would offer access to unreleased epidemiological data or insider perspectives on WHO investigation roadblocks. Avoid general public health trends without concrete policy angles.
Kamb's Axios work shows particular interest in systemic transparency failures. Pitch opportunities: Comparative analyses of body camera policy implementation, audits of evidence retention systems, or whistleblower accounts from records management staff.
Recognized for "exceptional service to public accountability" through municipal corruption investigations. The judging panel noted Kamb's "forensic document analysis techniques that set new standards for regional investigative reporting." This award is particularly significant given SPJ's rigorous evaluation criteria involving peer journalists and First Amendment experts.
His ongoing pharmaceutical industry investigation series earned recognition for exposing off-label drug marketing practices. The nominated work demonstrated innovative use of FDA adverse event reporting data cross-referenced with marketing expenditure disclosures.
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