In 13 years reporting in Chicago, previously for The Washington Post out of the midwest bureau and as a freelancer, I've felt lucky to cover a wide range of stories related to the environment, health, energy, immigration, labor and politics, among other things. Chicago provided me a crash course and an ongoing education in all these realms, giving me a home base for reporting around the US and Latin America. I've become increasingly interested in health journalism in part because it is a lens through which to examine the human impacts of our environment, working conditions and social policies. I've published three books, most recently "Revolt on Goose Island: The Chicago Factory Takeover and What it Says About the Economic Crisis." I also teach journalism at Columbia College and to youth through a non-profit program. I grew up in San Diego and came to the midwest to join the swim team (and as it turned out, get a journalism degree) at Northwestern University. My website is www.karilydersen.net.