I am a multimedia journalist curious about others and the world around me. I produce stories revolving around healthcare, policy, politics, and immigration to highlight their impact on local and underserved communities. Through my various experiences, I have gained knowledge in investigative reporting, research, local news reporting, graphics, and more. I have also utilized my language skills to conduct interviews in Farsi (Persian).
I graduated from Queens University of Charlotte with a Bachelor’s in Communications and Journalism. In the past, I have worked with NC Health News as a reporting intern and Emma Bowen Fellow, the Charlotte Journalism Collaborative as a social media intern, and the Queens University News Service. Most recently, as the Investigative Research and Reporting Fellow for WFAE – Charlotte’s NPR Station, I aided a year-long investigative project, “Fractured,” with support from the PBS series FRONTLINE, which explored North Carolina’s mental health crisis.
Gentrification is becoming more prevalent in major U.S cities. In the mini-documentary, Dr. Kistenburg highlights her perspective on the growing issue of gentrification in the Charlotte area and how this issue affects vulnerable communities.
The mini-documentary follows Pantea Dougani, co-founder of Excel Body Fitness, a small studio gym in Cary, NC, and shows how COVID-19 has impacted Dougani’s business.