Ava Dzurenda, EP-C

Ava Dzurenda is a 2025 graduate of Saint Francis University, where she earned a B.A. in Science Writing and a B.S. in Exercise Physiology, along with a minor in Communications. This fall, she will begin the online AAP program at Johns Hopkins University to pursue a Master’s in Science Writing. She is currently working as a freelance journalist and photographer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but is open to work and seeking a hybrid, full-time position in journalism, media relations, or any science writing role.

Ava has science writing experience in both public relations and journalism. At UPMC Media Relations in 2023, she wrote press releases and blog posts for the UPMC and Pitt Health Sciences Newsroom, and successfully pitched research stories that gained national coverage. At the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in 2024, she served as a health and science reporter, authoring 22 bylines that translated complex research into stories for the public.

On campus, Ava served as Associate and Features Editor for The Troubadour, SFU’s student newspaper. She wrote, edited, and published weekly content, led interviews with students and faculty, and created multimedia features that elevated campus voices.

From the newsroom to lab bench, Ava is passionate about making science understandable, accessible, engaging, and relevant.

Freelance Inquiries: ava.dzurenda@gmail.com