JOURNALISM
The Boston Globe
I started as a stringer, writing from Latin America, Washington D.C., and the former Yugoslavia. I spent more than two years writing narratives and breaking news about academia in New England, while also covering the deadlocked presidential election in Florida and the 9/11 attacks in New York. Some scoops made national news, including Harvard professor Cornel West’s row with Larry Summers, a cheating scandal at Dartmouth and admissions errors at Northeastern. Later, I launched a new beat at the paper covering poverty issues. Stories included how the region's largest homeless shelter cut services after amassing a multimillion-dollar endowment and how shelters barred hundreds of homeless people on the coldest nights. In 2005, I became co-editor of City Weekly, the equivalent of an urban magazine, which provided in-depth coverage of Boston’s neighborhoods. Several years later, after City Weekly and other sections of the paper stopped publishing due to budget cuts, I resumed reporting. In 2013, I was at the finish line of the Boston Marathon and played a key role covering the bombings. I was part of the team that won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News. A narrative I wrote about the toll of the bombings on one family won the 2015 Ernie Pyle Award for Human Interest Storytelling from Scripps Howard Foundation and the 2015 Sigma Delta Chi Award for Feature Reporting. For the past decade, I have covered the environment, focusing mainly on climate change. I have written about the accelerating melt of the Arctic Ocean from the northernmost city in North America and the impact of the depletion of the ozone layer on Tierra del Fuego. I have covered the damage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, and the collapse of the cod fishery in Newfoundland. My stories in New England have exposed the multibillion-dollar problem presented by nitrogen pollution in the waters off Cape Cod, extensive pollution and tainted water as a result of PFAS, or so-called “forever chemicals,” and how the rapidly warming waters of the Gulf of Maine are affecting everything from lobster to endangered whales. In 2022, a project he worked on with colleagues called “Lobster Trap” won a Sigma Delta Chi award for environment/climate reporting and was a finalist for a Gerald Loeb award and MIT's Victor K. McElheny award for science journalism.(December 1999 to present)
Climate Rising Podcast Host
I hosted more than a dozen episodes of a podcast about the impact of big business on climate change. The podcast, produced by Harvard Business School, considered the responsibility the corporate world bears for the problems, and the solutions, to climate change. (January to December 2019.)
Nieman Foundation at Harvard University
As a fellow, I studied a range of subjects at Harvard and MIT, including documentary filmmaking and narrative writing, energy and environmental issues, as well as poverty issues and African-American history. (August 2012 to June 2013)
Defense Week
I spent a year covering the conflict over Kosovo, war games aboard an aircraft carrier and the controversy surrounding the military’s former testing range in Vieques, Puerto Rico. Based in Washington, I spent much of my time at the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill, reporting about problems with submarine warfare and missile defense, the nation’s goal of fighting two wars simultaneously, pork in the defense budget and allegations of fraud among major contractors. (January to December 1999)
Latin America Freelance Correspondent
Before being deported from Cuba on Christmas Eve, I covered dozens of stories, including the 40th anniversary of the revolution, a crackdown on private businesses and the rise of rebel farmer movements. Among other stories in the region, I covered drug-trafficking issues and the last political-status referendum in Puerto Rico, the rise of Hugo Chávez in Venezuela, discrimination against Haitians and the spread of AIDS in the Dominican Republic, as well as an economic meltdown in Argentina. As a stringer, I wrote for more than a dozen papers, including The Boston Globe, Baltimore Sun, Christian Science Monitor, Dallas Morning News, Miami Herald, Newsday and San Francisco Chronicle. (May to December 1998)
The Palm Beach Post
I covered shootings, fires, and other breaking news around South Florida. I wrote a variety of features and data-rich stories on police issues. Occasionally, I reviewed books and music. (April 1997 to May 1998)
Mexico City Times
From Mexico City, I traveled around the country, often writing several stories a day on subjects including political reform, corruption in the federal police force, environmental mismanagement, kidnappings and U.S.-Mexican relations. I also reviewed films and classical music. (June 1996 to February 1997)
The (Mexico City) News
Through Northwestern’s internship program, I spent a semester as the paper’s Washington correspondent, writing daily stories about immigration, U.S. drug policy and the State Department’s certification process, NAFTA disputes and various pieces on culture. (January to March 1996)
FILMS
"IN THE WHALE"
I directed, produced, and shot this feature-length film, which is about arguably the greatest true fish story ever told. It’s the account of a man who survived to tell the tale of being swallowed by a whale, and what happened after he was spit out. "In the Whale" premiered at the New Hampshire Film Festival, where it won the Audience Choice Award. It also won Best New England Film at the Mystic Film Festival and the Director's Vision Award at the Blue Water Film Festival. The film is now being screened at theaters and festivals around the country. See more at www.inthewhalefilm.com.
"INUNDATION DISTRICT"
I directed, produced, and shot this feature-length film, is about the implications of one city’s decision to ignore the threats posed by climate change and spend billions of dollars on building a new waterfront district — on landfill, at sea level. Inundation District premiered at the GlobeDocs Film Festival and is now being screened at theaters and other festivals around the country. The film won Best Conservation Film at the Mystic Film Festival as well as the Monadnock International Film Festival's Jonathan Daniels Award, which is given to films that "fuse social and/or political awareness with artistic excellence and encompasses Jonathan Daniels courage by telling stories of hope, redemption, and the triumph of the human spirit." The film was broadcast nationally on PBS's World Channel in 2024. See more at www.inundationdistrict.com.
“ENTANGLED”
I directed, produced, and shot this feature-length film about how climate change has accelerated a collision between one of the world’s most endangered species, North America’s most valuable fishery, and a federal agency mandated to protect both. The film chronicles the efforts to protect North Atlantic right whales from extinction, the impacts of those efforts on the lobster industry, and how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has struggled to balance the vying interests. "Entangled" won a Jackson Wild award, known as the Oscars of nature films. It also won Best Feature Film at the International Wildlife Film Festival and at the Water Docs Film Festival; Best Conservation Film at the Mystic Film Festival and the International Ocean Film Festival, and the John de Graaf Environmental Filmmaking Award at the Wild & Scenic Film Festival. The film, which premiered at the Woods Hole Film Festival, was scheduled to be broadcast nationally on PBS's World Channel on Earth Day in 2021. See more at www.entangled-film.com.
“LOBSTER WAR: The Fight Over The World's Richest Fishing Grounds”
I directed, produced, and shot much of this feature-length film about a climate-fueled conflict between the United States and Canada over waters that both countries have claimed since the end of the Revolutionary War. The disputed 277 square miles of sea known as the Gray Zone were traditionally fished by US lobstermen. But as the Gulf of Maine has warmed faster than nearly any other body of water on the planet, the area’s previously modest lobster population has surged. As a result, Canadians have begun to assert their sovereignty, warring with the Americans to claim the bounty. The film premiered in the fall of 2018 at the International Maritime Film Festival, where a jury selected it as the runner-up for the grand prize for the Best Feature Film. It was featured at scores of independent theaters and film festivals, including the 2018 Mystic Film Festival, where it won Best New England Film. See more at www.lobsterwar.com.
“GLADESMEN: The Last of the Sawgrass Cowboys”
I directed and produced this feature-length documentary about the federal government’s ban on Florida’s iconic airboats in much of the Everglades. The measure is part of the world’s largest effort to repair a damaged ecosystem, a vast river of grass that has been ravaged by more than a century of development, pollution, and other environmental degradation. The outcome will determine the future of the region’s water supply, and its ability to withstand rising sea levels. It may also lead to the demise of the gladesmen. The film was selected for numerous festivals, including the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital and the Miami Film Festival, where it won the 2018 Made in Miami Award. See more at www.gladesmenfilm.com.
“SACRED COD: The Fight to Save America’s Oldest Fishery”
I co-directed and produced this feature-length documentary that looked at the collapse of the historic cod population in New England. The film delved into the role of overfishing, the impact of climate change, the effect of government policies on fishermen, and the fish, and the prospect of a region built on cod having no cod left to harvest. The film was broadcast on the Discovery Channel in the spring of 2017 and is being distributed by Bullfrog Films. See more at www.sacredcodfilm.com.
“UNDAUNTED: Chasing History at the Boston Marathon”
I co-directed and produced this feature film about the comeback of one unique runner, as well as a city that came together to rally against terror. At 2:49 p.m. on April 15, 2013, Juli Windsor was less than a mile from completing a lifelong quest to become the first little person to finish the Boston Marathon. The bombings that day transformed her triumph into horror. Juli and thousands of runners were turned back before crossing the finish line. She vowed to run again the next year. It would be a chance at redemption as much as making history. The film was broadcast on the BBC World News and the Discovery Life Channel in the spring of 2015. See more at www.undauntedinboston.blogspot.com.
“25.7: In Twice the Steps”
I directed, shot, and edited this short film about Juli Windsor, who long dreamed of being the first little person to run the Boston Marathon, and how her quest ended in a way she would have never expected. The film was broadcast on the Pivot network on the first anniversary of the attack in Boston in 2014.
“SACRED COD: The Fight to Save America’s Oldest Fishery”
I co-directed and produced this feature-length documentary that looked at the collapse of the historic cod population in New England. The film delved into the role of overfishing, the impact of climate change, the effect of government policies on fishermen, and the fish, and the prospect of a region built on cod having no cod left to harvest. The film was broadcast on the Discovery Channel in the spring of 2017 and is being distributed by Bullfrog Films. See more at www.sacredcodfilm.com.
“UNDAUNTED: Chasing History at the Boston Marathon”
I co-directed and produced this feature film about the comeback of one unique runner, as well as a city that came together to rally against terror. At 2:49 p.m. on April 15, 2013, Juli Windsor was less than a mile from completing a lifelong quest to become the first little person to finish the Boston Marathon. The bombings that day transformed her triumph into horror. Juli and thousands of runners were turned back before crossing the finish line. She vowed to run again the next year. It would be a chance at redemption as much as making history. The film was broadcast on the BBC World News and the Discovery Life Channel in the spring of 2015. See more at www.undauntedinboston.blogspot.com.
“25.7: In Twice the Steps”
I directed, shot, and edited this short film about Juli Windsor, who long dreamed of being the first little person to run the Boston Marathon, and how her quest ended in a way she would have never expected. The film was broadcast on the Pivot network on the first anniversary of the attack in Boston in 2014.
TEACHING
Boston University
I teach science journalism and other courses as a professor of the practice in the journalism department of the College of Communication. (August 2022 to present)
Vermont Law School
I taught a writing course for aspiring lawyers and environmental advocates. (July 2020)
Harvard University Extension School
I taught courses on narrative writing, focused on travel. (June 2013 to 2015)
University of Miami
I spent a semester as the visiting Knight Chair in journalism at the University of Miami’s Center for Communication, Culture and Change, where I worked with students and directed “Gladesmen.” (August to December 2016)
Emerson College
As an adjunct professor, I taught an advanced reporting class that required students to cover beats, report a range of stories, and post them on a class website. (January 2007 to 2011)
Northeastern University
I taught Journalism 101 to freshman and sophomores. My class provided a comprehensive survey of the craft. Students focused on AP style, news writing, and among other things, the ethical implications of their work. (January 2004 to 2006)
Boston Center for Adult Education and Mediabistro
I taught seminars on travel writing, focusing on how to research stories, find compelling angles, pitch to relevant publications, and craft compelling pieces. (March 2007 to 2018)
EDUCATION
Northwestern University
Medill School of Journalism, master of science in journalism, Evanston, Ill. (May 1996)
University of Michigan
College of Literature, Sciences and the Arts, Ann Arbor, Mich. Bachelor of arts in political science. I also wrote for The Michigan Daily. (May 1994)
Université Libre de Bruxelles
I spent my junior year in Brussels, studying European history, French, and beer. (January to August 1993)
AWARDS
- 2024: The Monadnock International Film Festival's Jonathan Daniels Award, which is given to directors whose films "fuse social and/or political awareness with artistic excellence and encompasses Jonathan Daniels courage by telling stories of hope, redemption, and the triumph of the human spirit."
- 2024: Best Conservation Film at the Mystic Film Festival for "Inundation District"
- 2024: Director's Vision Award at the Blue Water Film Festival for "In the Whale"
- 2023: Winner of the Audience Choice Award at the New Hampshire Film Festival for "In the Whale"
- 2023: Best New England Film at the Mystic Film Festival for "In the Whale"
- 2022: Winner of a Sigma Delta Chi award for environment/climate reporting, shared with colleagues for "Lobster Trap" series
- 2022: Nominated for a national Emmy award for "Entangled"
- 2022: Finalist for a Gerald Loeb Award and MIT's Victor K. McElheny award for science journalism, shared with colleagues for "Lobster Trap" series
- 2022: Best Social Impact Documentary at the Reading Film Festival
- 2021: Best Feature Film at the International Wildlife Film Festival
- 2021: Winner of the John de Graaf Environmental Filmmaking Award at the Wild & Scenic Film Festival
- 2021: Best Conservation Film at the International Ocean Film Festival
- 2021: Director's Vision Award at the Blue Water Film Festival for "Entangled"
- 2021: Best Feature Film at the Water Docs Film Festival
- 2020: Winner of a Jackson Wild award, known as the Oscars of nature films
- 2020: Best Conservation Film at the Mystic Film Festival
- 2018: Best New England Film at the Mystic Film Festival
- 2018: Grand Prize Runner-up for Best Feature Film at the International Maritime Film Festival
- 2018: Made in Miami Award at the Miami Film Festival, for best film made in South Florida
- 2015: Ernie Pyle Award for Human Interest Storytelling from Scripps Howard Foundation
- 2015: Sigma Delta Chi Award for Feature Reporting
- 2014: Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News, which was awarded to the Globe Staff
- 2014: Edward R. Murrow Award
- 2013: New England Newspaper and Press Association Publick Occurrences Award for Outstanding Journalism