Articles by Lisa Stiffler

Lisa Stiffler covers nonprofits, companies and researchers who are applying technology to environmental, energy, health, transit, education and other societal challenges.

Lisa is from the Northwest and a University of Washington alumna twice over, with a background in cell biology that was jettisoned for the excitement and nearly instant gratification of journalism.

Her first real media gig was at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer where for 10 years she primarily covered environmental issues. More recently Lisa worked as a freelancer for the Seattle Times covering the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Other recent endeavors include writing and editing for Seattle’s Child parenting magazine, research for Sightline Institute, and reporting for NPR, MSNBC, Smithsonian Magazine and local news websites.

Follow @lisa_stiffler and email [email protected].

Latest from Lisa Stiffler

From school nuggets to insect kibble: How the next generation of faux meats aims to win over skeptics

As startups and researchers advance alternative proteins for both people and pets, the sector is working to overcome hurdles like high costs, consumer skepticism and concerns over processing. By leveraging continuous manufacturing and sustainable ingredients like plant proteins and insects, companies like Rebellyous Foods and Jiminy’s are striving to make eco-friendly alternatives accessible, affordable and mainstream. Read More

Providence to receive $1.1B from Nike co-founder to build women’s health hospital in Oregon

Providence will receive $1.1 billion from Nike co-founder Phil Knight and his wife, Penny — one of the largest gifts ever pledged to a U.S. healthcare institution — to build Oregon’s first women’s hospital and expand cardiovascular services. The funds, directed to Portland’s Providence St. Vincent Medical Center and Providence Heart Institute, build on the Knights’ prior $200 million gift to the heart institute. Read More

With a headcount topping 800, Helion opens Seattle office in pursuit of fusion energy

Helion Energy has opened a downtown Seattle office as its headcount hits 800 employees, adding to its five-building Everett headquarters and its Malaga, Wash., site, where the fusion startup is building its Orion generator facility. The company, which has raised more than $1.5 billion, is racing to get Orion operational within two years to meet a contract to supply fusion energy to a Microsoft data center. Read More

How a new $7.5M UW facility aims to spark U.S. battery innovation

The University of Washington has opened the West Coast’s first public, open-access battery manufacturing lab to help startups scale novel chemistries for grid storage, defense and transportation. Built with $7.5 million in state climate funding, the Seattle facility provides equipment and expertise for developing prototype pouch cells Read More

Google to cut 52 employees in Washington state

Google is laying off 52 employees in Washington state, according to a state filing. The job cuts include software engineers, engineering and product managers, mechatronics engineers, UX designers and recruiters located in Kirkland, Redmond and Seattle offices as well as remote employees. Read More