Melissa Dai
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
Melissa Dai is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, with a track record in investigative reporting.
She has examined inadequate police responses to 911 mental health crises; exposed racial inequities in farm internet access; and contributed to investigations into the dangers of America’s generic drugs. Her work centers on empathetic, human-focused storytelling that exposes systemic failures and amplifies underrepresented voices.
Previously, she interned with Injustice Watch, NBC Chicago’s investigative unit, and Investigate Midwest. She has also reported for ProPublica, MindSite News, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, and The Daily Northwestern.
In 2024 and 2025, she received the Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Award for Investigative Reporting across Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. She also won the 2026 North American Agricultural Journalists Student Writing Award.
