Sinduja Rangarajan

Sinduja Rangarajan

Reporter, data scientist and visual storyteller specializing in accountability journalism

Pulitzer Prize finalist and award-winning data scientist and journalist with more than a decade of experience uncovering hidden patterns in complex datasets and translating them into insights that drive accountability and impact.

Previously at: Jerry.ai, Bloomberg News, Mother Jones, Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting

PythonSQLData VisualizationInvestigative Reporting

About

I am a reporter and data scientist with more than a decade of experience working on long form enterprise projects and off-the-news stories across a wide variety of formats. My work combines rigorous analysis with compelling storytelling across formats from charts and maps to national television and radio. I specialize in large-scale data analysis using Python and SQL. My investigations have been cited by legislators, academics, and advocacy groups, and recognized with top honors including the Loeb Award and Overseas Press Club award. I have extensive experience working with public and economic databases including Census, BLS, Bloomberg Terminal, and immigration court data. I build custom databases, interactive models, and policy-shaping narratives that inform both consumer audiences and policymakers.

Core Skills

  • Data analysis, statistical methods and machine learning
  • Python (Pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn)
  • SQL/PostgreSQL
  • Geospatial analysis
  • Knowledge of public datasets such as: Census, BLS data, Bloomberg Terminal, SERFF insurance data
  • Tableau,Flourish,Datawrapper, QGIS
  • Data storytelling & visualization
  • Public speaking & media interviews

Awards and Honors

  • Gerald Loeb Award winner, 2025
  • Pulitzer Prize Finalist, 2024
  • SABEW for International Reporting, 2024
  • SABEW for Environmental Reporting, 2024
  • UN Correspondents Award, 2024
  • Overseas Press Club Winner, 2023
  • Loeb Awards Honorable Mention, 2023
  • Edward R. Murrow Award, 2017

Featured work

Investigative projects that combine rigorous data analysis with compelling storytelling to drive accountability and policy change

Water Grab Investigation visualization
2024
Pulitzer Prize Finalist
SABEW Environmental
SABEW International

Bloomberg News

Analyzed opaque water ownership in California and Australia using large-scale financial and environmental datasets. Findings were cited by the California Senate and Australian Parliament.
Python
SQL
Geospatial analysis
Policy Impact
Corporate Emissions Investigation visualization
2022
Overseas Press Club Award

Bloomberg News

Examined how companies use market-based accounting to dramatically exaggerate their emissions reductions, analyzing almost 6,000 climate reports. Combined data analysis and visual storytelling to expose corporate greenwashing practices.
Climate Data
Corporate Analysis
Data Visualization
Data Analysis
Visual Storytelling
Silicon Valley Diversity Analysis visualization
2017
Edward R. Murrow Award

Reveal/CIR

Used Freedom of Information requests, sourcing, data analysis and academic collaboration to examine Silicon Valley's workforce diversity. Findings were cited by 30+ academic studies and contributed to Department of Labor policy change.
Freedom of Information Requests
Sourcing
Data Analysis
Academic Collaboration
Immigration Court Disparities visualization
2024
New York Press Club Award

Bloomberg News

Analyzed millions of immigration court records to expose disparities in asylum outcomes, revealing systemic inequities in the justice system.
Immigration Data
Justice System
Statistical Analysis
Jerry Car Tariffs Price Estimator visualization
2025
Industry First

Jerry

Created the first free tool to help consumers calculate the impact of tariffs on their car buying decisions. Also developed the Jerry Auto Insurance Premium Index, an economic indicator built on 300M+ records that tracked national auto insurance premiums month-to-month — the first such benchmark in the industry.
Economic Modeling
Trade Policy
Consumer Tools
Python
Microfinance Analysis visualization
2023
Loeb Award Honoree

Bloomberg News

Built custom databases on microfinance flows, analyzing global financial patterns and their impact on developing economies.
Financial Data
Global Economics
Database Design

Impact

My work has been cited by top academic journals such as the Georgetown Law Journal, Stanford Law, and ACM FAccT, and by media organizations including Bloomberg, Forbes, KQED, and DataJournalism.com. My reporting has led to policy changes and has been discussed in the Australian Parliament, the California Senate, and by U.S. Congress members (example). I have also appeared on TV, radio, and print. ➡️ Read the full list of my impact here

Talks, Panels & Workshops

Keynotes & Plenaries

Civic Data Solidarity / Hacking Politics — NICAR & SF MoMA, 2018

SciCAR 2018 — Keynote Speaker (Data + Science Journalism Conference, Germany)

Panels, Talks & Trainings

Data Dive on H-1B Visas — NICAR, 2020

How to Make Data Findings Come to Life on Radio (intermediate, hands-on training) — NICAR, 2020

Lightning Talk: How to Cover Immigration as an Immigrant — NICAR, 2020

Forging Academia-Journalism Partnerships (with Laura Laderman) — SRCCON, 2018

Data of the Divides (with Jennifer LaFleur) — SRCCON, 2020

Academic & Journalism Collaborations

Crossroads: A Convergence of Sonification Practitioners — Center for New Music & Audio Technologies, UC Berkeley, 2018

Mind to Mind (Main Organizer)

Judging and leadership

Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) judging committee, 2022

Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) Awards Judge

2019, 2021, 2022, 2024

Get in touch

Interested in collaborating on data journalism projects or discussing investigative opportunities?