Ambika Kandasamy
@ambikakandasamy.bsky.social
Journalist interested in environmental and health reporting.
Reposted by Ambika Kandasamy
"This year, with public media facing headwinds, your belief in the importance of rigorous, independent investigative journalism helped make it possible for us to keep producing it," writes Raney Aronson-Rath, FRONTLINE's editor-in-chief and executive producer. Read her year-end message:
Reflecting on a Remarkable Year, and Your Meaningful Support | FRONTLINE | PBS | Official Site | Documentary Series
A year-end message to the FRONTLINE community from editor-in-chief and executive producer Raney Aronson-Rath.
www.pbs.org
December 30, 2025 at 6:50 PM
"This year, with public media facing headwinds, your belief in the importance of rigorous, independent investigative journalism helped make it possible for us to keep producing it," writes Raney Aronson-Rath, FRONTLINE's editor-in-chief and executive producer. Read her year-end message:
Reposted by Ambika Kandasamy
How did Robert F. Kennedy Jr. become a powerful figure reshaping public health in America? Watch our recent documentary "The Rise of RFK Jr." for an in-depth exploration of the Health and Human Services secretary's past, his anti-vaccine activism, and how he is now influencing policy.
The Rise of RFK Jr. | FRONTLINE | PBS | Official Site | Documentary Series
Watch FRONTLINE's documentary examining the dramatic and controversial rise of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
www.pbs.org
December 5, 2025 at 6:40 PM
How did Robert F. Kennedy Jr. become a powerful figure reshaping public health in America? Watch our recent documentary "The Rise of RFK Jr." for an in-depth exploration of the Health and Human Services secretary's past, his anti-vaccine activism, and how he is now influencing policy.
Reposted by Ambika Kandasamy
In Idaho's Clarkia fossil beds, ~15-million-yr-old leaves are sandwiched between rock. When exposed, the leaves momentarily retain their original colors—red, copper, sometimes even a chlorophyllic hue—before oxidizing and fading.
A sedimentary scrapbook. Reverse polaroids from Earth's deep past.
A sedimentary scrapbook. Reverse polaroids from Earth's deep past.
November 19, 2025 at 5:44 PM
In Idaho's Clarkia fossil beds, ~15-million-yr-old leaves are sandwiched between rock. When exposed, the leaves momentarily retain their original colors—red, copper, sometimes even a chlorophyllic hue—before oxidizing and fading.
A sedimentary scrapbook. Reverse polaroids from Earth's deep past.
A sedimentary scrapbook. Reverse polaroids from Earth's deep past.
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Lake Xochimilco in Mexico City is the only place in the world where you can find wild axolotls. Ecologist Luis Zambrano is on a quest to save these beloved amphibians: buff.ly/vnyg53i
!["If we save the axolotl and we save Xochimilco, which is threatened by a city of 20 million people, we can save anything around the world. Gives
[us] a lot of hope." —Dr. Luis Zambrano](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rjtifgmgwnacwa24lqp4tpsy/bafkreieu5td2pevirow7bnfsz7qfc6lm652yc3fbqjpel2ltjscz3ttceq@jpeg)
November 18, 2025 at 9:19 PM
꒰(˶• ᴗ •˶)꒱
Reposted by Ambika Kandasamy
Typhoon Halong slammed Alaska’s western coast this month, flooding numerous Native villages. “Alaska’s Vanishing Native Villages,” our April documentary with the Howard Center at ASU, examined how remote coastal communities are navigating flooding, erosion and warming temperatures. Watch now:
Alaska's Vanishing Native Villages | FRONTLINE | PBS | Official Site | Documentary Series
Watch FRONTLINE's documentary about Alaska Native villages fighting for survival against climate change.
www.pbs.org
October 23, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Typhoon Halong slammed Alaska’s western coast this month, flooding numerous Native villages. “Alaska’s Vanishing Native Villages,” our April documentary with the Howard Center at ASU, examined how remote coastal communities are navigating flooding, erosion and warming temperatures. Watch now:
Reposted by Ambika Kandasamy
"Born Poor" revisits children who first appeared in the documentary "Poor Kids" more than a decade later. Filmmaker Jezza Neumann and Kaylie, one of the young adults in the film, talk about what it reveals about hunger, loss and the daily fight for stability.
Listen now on The FRONTLINE Dispatch:
Listen now on The FRONTLINE Dispatch:
Born Poor: A 14-Year Journey into Childhood Poverty | FRONTLINE | PBS | Official Site | Documentary Series
What happens when you grow up poor in America — and stay in touch with the same filmmaker for more than a decade?
www.pbs.org
October 16, 2025 at 7:43 PM
"Born Poor" revisits children who first appeared in the documentary "Poor Kids" more than a decade later. Filmmaker Jezza Neumann and Kaylie, one of the young adults in the film, talk about what it reveals about hunger, loss and the daily fight for stability.
Listen now on The FRONTLINE Dispatch:
Listen now on The FRONTLINE Dispatch:
Reposted by Ambika Kandasamy
The U.S. has one of the highest child poverty rates among wealthy countries. Here's a look at struggles kids living in poverty face, including access to food, healthcare and education.
What Are Some Challenges of Growing Up Poor in America? | FRONTLINE | PBS | Official Site | Documentary Series
The U.S. has one of the highest child poverty rates among wealthy countries. Here’s a look at struggles kids living in poverty face, including access to food, healthcare and education.
www.pbs.org
October 9, 2025 at 5:34 PM
The U.S. has one of the highest child poverty rates among wealthy countries. Here's a look at struggles kids living in poverty face, including access to food, healthcare and education.
I looked into research about the short and long-term struggles that children living in poverty face, including access to food, healthcare and education.
Thank you to Dr. @ritahamad.bsky.social and Dr. Joseph Llobrera for speaking with me for this story.
Thank you to Dr. @ritahamad.bsky.social and Dr. Joseph Llobrera for speaking with me for this story.
What Are Some Challenges of Growing Up Poor in America? | FRONTLINE | PBS | Official Site | Documentary Series
The U.S. has one of the highest child poverty rates among wealthy countries. Here’s a look at struggles kids living in poverty face, including access to food, healthcare and education.
www.pbs.org
October 9, 2025 at 1:16 AM
I looked into research about the short and long-term struggles that children living in poverty face, including access to food, healthcare and education.
Thank you to Dr. @ritahamad.bsky.social and Dr. Joseph Llobrera for speaking with me for this story.
Thank you to Dr. @ritahamad.bsky.social and Dr. Joseph Llobrera for speaking with me for this story.
Reposted by Ambika Kandasamy
Several species of birds from different continents use and understand similar alarm calls when they see an invader that might lay an egg in their nest – this shared call hints at the origin of language
20 bird species can understand each other’s anti-cuckoo call
Several species of birds from different continents use and understand similar alarm calls when they see an invader that might lay an egg in their nest – this shared call hints at the origin of language
www.newscientist.com
October 4, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Several species of birds from different continents use and understand similar alarm calls when they see an invader that might lay an egg in their nest – this shared call hints at the origin of language
Latest story for National Wildlife magazine. Thank you to the wonderful @jjww.bsky.social for the edits and to Ibrahim Rayintakath for the art.
www.nwf.org/Home/Magazin...
www.nwf.org/Home/Magazin...
October 3, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Latest story for National Wildlife magazine. Thank you to the wonderful @jjww.bsky.social for the edits and to Ibrahim Rayintakath for the art.
www.nwf.org/Home/Magazin...
www.nwf.org/Home/Magazin...
Reposted by Ambika Kandasamy
Earlier this summer, "Maui's Deadly Firestorm" was honored with a News Emmy for Outstanding Climate, Environment and Weather Coverage. The FRONTLINE documentary investigates the deadliest American wildfire in a century, and the missed warnings that made it so unstoppable.
Maui's Deadly Firestorm | FRONTLINE
Watch FRONTLINE's documentary on the deadly wildfires that swept through Lahaina and other parts of Maui, investigating the missed warnings and chaotic response.
www.pbs.org
September 15, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Earlier this summer, "Maui's Deadly Firestorm" was honored with a News Emmy for Outstanding Climate, Environment and Weather Coverage. The FRONTLINE documentary investigates the deadliest American wildfire in a century, and the missed warnings that made it so unstoppable.
Today marks five years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.
@frontlinepbs.bsky.social has been covering the crisis since the beginning. I compiled a list of the documentaries — read more and watch them here:
@frontlinepbs.bsky.social has been covering the crisis since the beginning. I compiled a list of the documentaries — read more and watch them here:
5 Years Later, A Look Back at How the COVID-19 Pandemic Disrupted the World | FRONTLINE
FRONTLINE and our partners have been covering the pandemic and its fallout in the U.S. and around the world since COVID-19 broke out. Revisit our reporting.
www.pbs.org
March 11, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Today marks five years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.
@frontlinepbs.bsky.social has been covering the crisis since the beginning. I compiled a list of the documentaries — read more and watch them here:
@frontlinepbs.bsky.social has been covering the crisis since the beginning. I compiled a list of the documentaries — read more and watch them here:
Reposted by Ambika Kandasamy
UPDATE: We remain committed to organizing a conference this year after #SciWri25 hosts withdraw. More than ever, providing an opportunity for the professional science writing community to convene, learn, and support each other is critical.
READ MORE+HELP OUT: www.nasw.org/article...
READ MORE+HELP OUT: www.nasw.org/article...
ScienceWriters2025 conference
An update for the science-writing community about a change regarding this year’s conference, [ScienceWriters2025](https://sciencewriters2025.org/).
www.nasw.org
March 6, 2025 at 5:50 PM
UPDATE: We remain committed to organizing a conference this year after #SciWri25 hosts withdraw. More than ever, providing an opportunity for the professional science writing community to convene, learn, and support each other is critical.
READ MORE+HELP OUT: www.nasw.org/article...
READ MORE+HELP OUT: www.nasw.org/article...
"I hope it's a record that somebody breaks, because it will mean they are dedicated to the cause." - James Harrison
James Harrison, whose blood donations saved over 2 million babies, has died
Harrison, whose plasma contained a rare antibody, rolled up his sleeve 1,173 times from 1954 to 2018. The Australian is credited with helping 2.4 million babies and advancing scientific research.
www.npr.org
March 4, 2025 at 9:36 PM
"I hope it's a record that somebody breaks, because it will mean they are dedicated to the cause." - James Harrison
Reposted by Ambika Kandasamy
On the cutting room floor is the bit where the host introduced their interview series, The Interview, and I asked how long it took to come up with the name. Anyway, here’s me talking about birds and science and burnout and moving through the world. The photo’s nice! www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/m...
‘The Interview’: Ed Yong Wants to Show You the Hidden Reality of the World
The Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer talks about burnout from covering the pandemic and how bird-watching gave him a new sense of hope.
www.nytimes.com
February 22, 2025 at 5:07 PM
On the cutting room floor is the bit where the host introduced their interview series, The Interview, and I asked how long it took to come up with the name. Anyway, here’s me talking about birds and science and burnout and moving through the world. The photo’s nice! www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/m...
Excellent piece on using open data in science reporting by
@fleerackers.bsky.social
@fleerackers.bsky.social
Using Open Data to Sharpen Science Stories - The Open Notebook
Open research data are becoming increasingly available online, providing exciting opportunities for telling compelling, data-driven science stories. These freely available data sources can help journa...
www.theopennotebook.com
January 24, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Excellent piece on using open data in science reporting by
@fleerackers.bsky.social
@fleerackers.bsky.social
Thank you to @ire-nicar.bsky.social and all panelists for this important conversation.
IRE Radio: Dec. 2024
This edition of IRE Radio highlights the AccessFest24 panel, “Supporting Journalists with Disabilities and Improving Disability Coverage.”
www.ire.org
January 15, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Thank you to @ire-nicar.bsky.social and all panelists for this important conversation.
Reposted by Ambika Kandasamy
Many seniors who left their homes in the Pacific Palisades area evacuated to emergency shelters. Now they're trying to navigate life without their belongings.
Older adults who evacuated to shelters in L.A. struggle to figure out what's next
Many seniors who left their homes in the Pacific Palisades area evacuated to emergency shelters. Now they're trying to navigate life without their belongings. Several say learning basic information ab...
www.npr.org
January 13, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Many seniors who left their homes in the Pacific Palisades area evacuated to emergency shelters. Now they're trying to navigate life without their belongings.
Reposted by Ambika Kandasamy
Galen Buckwalter, 68, shared with me his harrowing tale of being forced to flee the Eaton fire alone on his wheelchair through dark streets and fierce winds, dodging debris as fire neared his home.
“In emergencies, disabled people are the last to get services…We have no system. You’re on your own”
“In emergencies, disabled people are the last to get services…We have no system. You’re on your own”
Fleeing the LA fires alone on a wheelchair: ‘I had to take my chances’
An evacuation order when the Eaton fire threatened Galen Buckwalter’s Sierra Madre home triggered a nightmare odyssey through chaotic streets
www.theguardian.com
January 10, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Galen Buckwalter, 68, shared with me his harrowing tale of being forced to flee the Eaton fire alone on his wheelchair through dark streets and fierce winds, dodging debris as fire neared his home.
“In emergencies, disabled people are the last to get services…We have no system. You’re on your own”
“In emergencies, disabled people are the last to get services…We have no system. You’re on your own”
I interviewed Xinyan Yu and Christina Avalos, the filmmakers behind the @frontlinepbs.bsky.social documentary "Maui's Deadly Firestorm" about the recovery process for survivors of the August 2023 wildfire, the steps being taken to prevent the next tragedy and more.
How Filmmakers Documented the Response and Aftermath of ‘Maui’s Deadly Firestorm’
The filmmakers spoke about how they pieced together the chaotic response to the 2023 Lahaina wildfire, how they gained the community’s trust and what the recovery has been like for residents who lost ...
www.pbs.org
January 8, 2025 at 12:05 AM
I interviewed Xinyan Yu and Christina Avalos, the filmmakers behind the @frontlinepbs.bsky.social documentary "Maui's Deadly Firestorm" about the recovery process for survivors of the August 2023 wildfire, the steps being taken to prevent the next tragedy and more.
Reposted by Ambika Kandasamy
In winter through early spring, you can sometimes find unspoiled, still-bright groundcherries sitting in the latticed remnants of their husks, like hearts suspended in paper ribcages
January 6, 2025 at 7:37 PM
In winter through early spring, you can sometimes find unspoiled, still-bright groundcherries sitting in the latticed remnants of their husks, like hearts suspended in paper ribcages
Reposted by Ambika Kandasamy
Powerful reporting by Elana Gordon (KSJ '19). Gordon spent her fellowship year researching addiction and the US overdose crisis.
wapo.st/49RO9N9
wapo.st/49RO9N9
These people used Narcan to save lives. Here’s how they did it.
Learn how to respond to an overdose with Narcan and save a life.
wapo.st
January 3, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Powerful reporting by Elana Gordon (KSJ '19). Gordon spent her fellowship year researching addiction and the US overdose crisis.
wapo.st/49RO9N9
wapo.st/49RO9N9
Reposted by Ambika Kandasamy
Leading off the Special Issue is a lived experience essay by Samantha Laswell PTA (USA). It appropriately centers this volume of work on the patient’s voice. We clinicians and researchers benefit from leadership from people living with Long Covid in all we do. journals.lww.com/cptj/fulltex...
Long Covid: A Lived Experience : Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal
An abstract is unavailable.
journals.lww.com
December 30, 2024 at 4:13 PM
Leading off the Special Issue is a lived experience essay by Samantha Laswell PTA (USA). It appropriately centers this volume of work on the patient’s voice. We clinicians and researchers benefit from leadership from people living with Long Covid in all we do. journals.lww.com/cptj/fulltex...
Reposted by Ambika Kandasamy
“We wanted to help ProPublica’s readers recognize the humanity of the people we had met and talked to, so we gave them notecards and asked them to describe their experiences with sweeps.”
“I Have Lost Everything”: The Toll of Cities’ Homeless Sweeps
Cities often take belongings — including important documents and irreplaceable mementos — when they conduct sweeps of homeless encampments. ProPublica gave notecards to people across the country so th...
projects.propublica.org
December 30, 2024 at 1:24 AM
“We wanted to help ProPublica’s readers recognize the humanity of the people we had met and talked to, so we gave them notecards and asked them to describe their experiences with sweeps.”
As an aspiring birder, I loved this piece and the beautiful graphics.
The Bay Area is an important region for birds. Here's why and where to find them
About a billion birds migrate through California as they head south for the winter. For many, the Bay Area is a perfect rest stop and here's why.
www.sfchronicle.com
December 28, 2024 at 6:21 AM
As an aspiring birder, I loved this piece and the beautiful graphics.