CITY NEWSROOM STAFF
City Newsroom illuminates the rich and varied intersections that make up the fabric of life in New York City. This site is staffed by students at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. They are managed by Professors Juan Manuel Benítez, Juanita Ceballos, & Ty Lawson. Contact Us: citynewsroom@columbia.edu
SERENA BALANI
Serena previously worked for Dataminr, breaking news for her clients, and Propwatch Project covering propaganda and communication techniques used by governments and public officials. She’s covering transportation for City Newsroom.
Email – srb2249@columbia.edu, Instagram – @serenabalaniofficial
XINYUAN Cao
Xinyuan is a City Newsroom reporter covering education in New York City. Born and raised in China, she earned a dual bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Sciences Po Paris and The University of Hong Kong. Her past working experience includes public relations and working as a legal assistant.
Email – xc2708@columbia.edu
Genevieve Charles
Genevieve is from Brooklyn, NY and covers Arts and Culture for City Newsroom. Genevieve is interested in stories that focus on the intersection of art and technology.
Email – gc3080@columbia.edu
Vincent Jiang
Vincent Jiang was born and raised in New York City, moving between Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan in his childhood. He’s written about politics, technology, and climate issues, and is covering education for City Newsroom.
Email: vyj2101@columbia.edu
EDWARD LOPEZ
Edward is from Fresno, California. He covers transportation for City Newsroom.
Email – el3253@columbia.edu
FRANCESCA MARIA LORENZINI
Francesca is an Italian reporter covering politics for City Newsroom. She has reported in print, web, audio and video. Francesca speaks three languages.
Email – fl2659@columbia.edu
Ashley Elizabeth Miller
Ashley was raised in Philadelphia, PA, but soon spread her wings as a college ice hockey player, influencing her start in sports journalism. She most recently lived in Maui, HI, working with the Hawaiian Land Trust, and now thrives in the high-speed environment of New York as a political reporter for City Newsroom.Email – aem2317@columbia.edu
Jason Evan Ponterotto
Jason is a reporter from Riverdale, New York and covers public health for City Newsroom. He has reported on a various issues including politics, racial justice and currently public health. Jason is a graduate of Howard University where he wrote for the The Hilltop Newspaper. Jason has also interned for New York Amsterdam News.Email – jep2231@columbia.edu
Andrea Pineda-Salgado
Andrea is a bilingual reporter covering immigration in New York City. She is a lifelong New Yorker whose work has centered on stories that affect the city’s immigrant communities.
Email – ap4503@columbia.edu
Urvi Shrivastav
Urvi is from India and covers housing in New York City for City Newsroom. She has worked as a business reporter covering markets, ESG, leadership, and enjoys long runs.
Email – us2204@columbia.edu
Davaughnia Wilson
Davaughnia is an Arts and Culture reporter for City Newsroom in New York City. She has experience in news, feature and magazine writing, as well as audio and video journalism.
Email – davaughnia.wilson@columbia.edu
John E. Williams
John is a journalist covering climate for City Newsroom. He moonlights as a geographer, historian, and professor. John is a native of Baconton, Georgia and a graduate of Florida A&M University with expertise in history, geography, urban studies, higher education leadership, HBCUs, and environmental justice.
Email – jew2159@columbia.edu