Lissa Knudsen
MPH, PhD Candidate
Freelance Journalist
Independent journalist
Professional Bio
Lissa Knudsen is a freelance reporter with Source New Mexico, an affiliate of States Newsroom. Before that she served as the news editor at the New Mexico Daily Lobo, following a stint as the publication’s public health beat reporter. She also worked as a data analyst for local NPR affiliate KUNM News. Her areas of coverage include politics and policy with an emphasis on racial and gender equity. Knudsen holds a bachelor's degree in health science and a master's degree in program planning and health education. She’s a critical cultural communication doctoral candidate, emphasizing reproductive justice, maternity and health. She is a board member of the New Mexico Public Health Association. Before she realized she was supposed to be a journalist, Knudsen was involved in local politics up until mid-2014, getting into hot water with her bosses as she pushed for transparency and public accountability.
Affiliation
Parent: Independent journalist
Education
California State University, Northridge 2005
MPH
University of New Mexico 2023
PhD
Areas of Expertise
Reproductive health, substance use disorders, gun violence, mass migration, emergency response