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IRE is thrilled to announce the hiring of Laura Jael Kurtzberg as the team’s newest training director.
Kurtzberg, an Arizona native, has been an assistant professor at Florida International University since 2020.
She has extensive experience as a data visualization specialist, cartographer and a news applications developer with a particular interest in environmental stories.
“We are very pleased to have someone of Laura's expertise and sensitivity joining the IRE staff," IRE Executive Director Diana R. Fuentes said. "Her ability to turn complex subjects into appealing, easier-to-understand lessons will greatly benefit our members, and her friendly, collaborative approach makes her a natural fit for our team. Laura shares our passion for training at all levels, and for seeking new ways to help journalists better cover the diverse communities they serve.”
Among her many accomplishments, Kurtzberg worked with scientist and consultant Cecilia Leal to build the first index of impact on freshwater for the Amazon basin for the award-winning Aquazônia project. She helped design and create maps for the project and also produced the interactive web platform for the Aquazônia story, using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Mapbox GL JS and Grav CMS.
In addition to Aquazônia, Kurtzberg has worked at the intersection of data journalism and design with organizations such as InfoAmazonia, Ambiental Media, WLRN Public Media, and Mongabay.
With experience in data analysis and programming with JavaScript, R and Python, she brings a critical range of skills to the IRE training team.
"I'm so excited to be joining the dynamic IRE training team,” Kurtzberg said. “I am passionate about the power of data and technology to help journalists publish innovative and groundbreaking stories."
Kurtzberg earned her MFA in Interactive Media from the University of Miami and her BA in Information Science from the University of Arizona. She is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.
In her free time, Kurtzberg enjoys reading fiction, trying to learn how to play the lever harp and crocheting chunky sweaters!
She will officially join IRE in mid-December, after the fall semester ends at Florida International.
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