K. S. NIKHIL KUMAR [email protected] 362, Riverside Drive, #9B5, New York, NY 10025 1(347) 556 9535 EDUCATION Master of Science, Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University, New York, (expected May ’10) Toni Stabile Fellow studying in-depth investigative narratives, hard interviewing techniques, examining corporations and computer assisted reporting. Coursework includes photography, audio-visual scripting, reporting and editing for the web; editorial and opinion writing. B.A. LL.B., Symbiosis Law School, Symbiosis International University, Pune, India (‘04 – ‘09) Dual-degree in humanities and law. Founded ECOCON, a student body for environmental protection and consumer rights; managing 30-40 students for projects involving sustainable urban planning, ecological awareness and consumer surveys (‘05 –‘08). JOURNALISM EXPERIENCE The Journalism School, Columbia University • Masters Project: a multimedia investigation on the safety of using New York City sewage sludge as fertilizer. • Student loan investigation with the Huffington Post Investigative Fund: examined the Congressional influence of for-profit lending companies in the Fall, and currently investigating study abroad programs in the Spring. • Reporter for The Brooklyn Ink: stories in print, audio slideshows and video for a metro website. Broadcast intern: CNN-IBN, New Delhi (Nov ‘08) • Worked on the newsgathering desk and accompanied reporters on local stories. Published an essay and photos on the India- Australia Cricket Test Match on IBNlive.com. Interviewed Rajdeep Sardesai, CNN-IBN founder & Editor-in-Chief, for the Pune Student Chronicle. Newspaper intern: The Hindu, Chennai (Apr - May ‘08) • Covered city and state news stories with reporters. Published stories on ecological tourism, increase in social media use and a hospital elevator emergency. Studied copy editing techniques and filed photographs. Founded the Pune Student Chronicle: a feature blog by and for students in Pune (Sept ‘08) ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH & WORK • Conducted an independent investigation on iron-ore mining in Karnataka, India (Nov - Dec ‘06). • Pursued research on iron-ore mining at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi (May ‘07). • Completed a certificate course on assessing environmental impacts in mining projects; and presented findings from TERI at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi (Aug ‘08). • Conducted workshops on the ecology of the Western Ghats for children in Amboli, Maharashtra (Aug ’07 – Dec ’08). LEGAL INTERNSHIPS • Office of the Advocate General of Karnataka, Bangalore (Nov ‘06) Researched cases on iron-ore mining, particularly in the Bellary-Hospet region of Karnataka. • Chambers of Awanish Sinha, Advocate, Supreme Court of India, New Delhi (Nov ‘05) Assisted in drafting of briefs and researched on matters relating to dowry deaths, economic fraud and customs law. • Sundaraswamy, Ramdas & Anand, Solicitors, Bangalore (Oct ‘04) Assisted in case law research on intellectual property rights and family law matters. MULTIMEDIA, SKILLS & ACTIVITIES • Audio and video editing, computer assisted reporting, photography, blogging and social media tools. • Proficient with Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, Wordpress, Excel, Lexis-Nexis and the Bloomberg terminal. • Languages: Advanced Kannada & Hindi. Fluent Telugu. Basic Marathi. • Certificate course in Basic Photography from Bangalore School of Art and Photography (May ‘06). • Model United Nations Assembly with Rotary Club of Pune North East – participated, won and later trained students in UN- format debating (’05 – ’09). REFERENCES 1) Michael Shapiro, The Journalism School, Columbia University; [email protected], 212 854 3851 2) Sheila Coronel, Director, Stabile Center, The Journalism School, Columbia University; [email protected], 212 854 5748 .