Planet Detroit's Ethan Bakuli selected for national science-health-environment fellowship

Bakuli among six journalists chosen for 2026 National Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellowships

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Planet Detroit's Climate Solutions and Service Journalism Reporting Fellow Ethan Bakuli has been selected as one of six journalists for the 2026 National Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellowships (SHERF) program, marking the latest recognition of his collaborative work at the intersection of climate, health, and environmental justice.

Why it matters

The SHERF fellowship offers training, mentoring, and networking opportunities to early-career journalists pursuing careers in science, health, or environmental reporting, which aligns with Bakuli's work at Planet Detroit covering the intersection of climate, health, and environmental justice issues in the Detroit area.

The details

Through the SHERF fellowship, Bakuli will receive membership, registration, and support to attend all three partner organizations' national conferences, along with custom training and professional mentors to assist with career development for a year. Bakuli is also pursuing two other major fellowships in 2026 to support Planet Detroit's climate and health reporting, including the USC Health and Climate Change Reporting Fellowship and the Solutions Journalism Network's Revenue Accelerator Program.

  • In November 2025, Bakuli was selected for the inaugural USC Health and Climate Change Reporting Fellowship.
  • In March 2026, Planet Detroit was selected for the Solutions Journalism Network's Revenue Accelerator Program.

The players

Ethan Bakuli

Climate Solutions and Service Journalism Reporting Fellow at Planet Detroit.

Kelsey Ryan

Executive director of the Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ).

University of Southern California's Center for Health Journalism

Hosts the USC Health and Climate Change Reporting Fellowship.

Solutions Journalism Network

Runs the Revenue Accelerator Program that Planet Detroit was selected for.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to welcome this year's cohort to SHERF — one of the best fellowship opportunities in our field because it works at the intersection of science, health and environment. These fellows bring tremendous potential to our field as early career professionals, and we're happy to be a part of their journey.”

— Kelsey Ryan, Executive director of AHCJ (Planet Detroit)

“I've learned a lot on the job as a reporter with Planet. I'm looking forward to the time and space I'll have this year to pick up more skills and insights that I can bring back to our coverage of flooding, air pollution, and health outcomes for residents in environmentally burdened communities.”

— Ethan Bakuli (Planet Detroit)

What’s next

Through the SHERF fellowship, Bakuli will receive membership, registration, and support to attend all three partner organizations' national conferences, along with custom training and professional mentors to assist with career development for a year.

The takeaway

Ethan Bakuli's selection for the prestigious SHERF fellowship, as well as his other fellowships supporting Planet Detroit's climate and health reporting, demonstrates his commitment to covering the intersection of environmental, health, and science issues in the Detroit area, and the recognition of his work by leading journalism organizations.