about oUR JOURNALISTS
The Nahmias Cipher Report is an alternative news source which offers different perspectives of world events. Below are a few of our past and current writers who are some of the best and brightest international affairs and journalism students completing their undergraduate and graduate degrees at universities in the United States and abroad. TNCR provides a platform for rising journalists to report on global issues about which they are passionate, and the opportunity to highlight their human rights work. Our journalists are global citizens who utilize their tenure with TNCR to hone their writing skills while generating thought provoking content. Stories are contributed from Africa, Asia, the United States and the Middle East by journalists living in these regions, and by students who are on sabbatical or studying abroad.
Gloria Mutuku
is a go-getter Journalist and Writer. She holds a degree in Communication & Journalism, and currently pursuing masters in communication. Gloria was born a writer. She can write on closely any given topic.
However, she has special interest in giving voice to the voiceless. She puts all her thoughts and feelings on paper- it is the only way to communicate to the world. Born and ripaised in Africa, she has so much to say about the social injustices surrounding her community. Gloria’s other interests include psychology, health and nutrition. Psychology has always been at the back of her mind.
She reads widely on matters of health and often writes on the related topics. Looking into the future, Gloria would love to author fiction and non-fiction books on the untold tales of her community.
Twitter: @GloriaMutuku
Jonathan Davis
is a contributing reporter currently residing in the Washington DC metropolitan area. He is a recent graduate from the University of Maryland (UMD), where he received a degree in Economics and a Minor in Creative Writing. He is passionate about technology and worked as a software developer for the UMD.
Jonathan has participated in Hackathons around the country and helped organize his university’s first two hackathons. Additional studies include atmospheric and oceanic science, environmental science, and film.
In addition to technology, Jonathan is also interested in writing science fiction. He also has a fascination with Traffic Engineering and is known for his frequent comments on roundabouts and their superiority to stop lights. Jonathan looks forward to raising awareness about using technology to make the world a better place.
LinkedIn: Jonathan Davis
Nicole Shaker
is a recent graduate from Nova Southeastern University. She has a bachelor's in computer science and a bachelor's in communication with a concentration in journalism.
During her time as a student, she served as the co-editor-in-chief for The Current, where she edited articles for publication, decided the layout design of the paper, and led a team of reporters, editors, and graphic designers in their duties.
She was also an anchor and news reporter for Mako TV and a music reporter for Mako Radio. She has gained communications experience outside of NSU, too, traveling to Egypt as part of a mission trip with the nonprofit Coptic Orphans to teach orphaned children how to speak English.
She is passionate about using journalism to raise awareness of the situations of underserved populations.
Damian Mijares
is a 25-year old Venezuelan writer and journalist.
He has written several books throughout his career; he has also written articles about cultural and political interest for different national and international media sources.
Damian is a truth seeker and a storyteller; he likes to convey ideas differently, telling the truth from a neutral and informative perspective. he is truly convinced that people must see beyond what the media transmits to them to have a clear idea of what is happening beyond their borders.
Damian does not own the absolute truth, but he is willing to seek it everywhere until he finds it.
The road will be long.
“Veni, vidi, vici”
LinkedIn: Damian Mijares
Magdalene Cramer
holds a degree in English from the University of Maryland. In the past she has written for The Hyattsville Life and Times, The Mitzpeh and Pasquines. She does research for Ralph Bauer of Comparative Literature Department at the University of Maryland. She has traveled to Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, and the Bahamas. In her spare time Magdalene plays piano, reads and works on her poetry and fictional story writing.
She recently began working in an internship for SheGrowsIt! She is interested in U.S.-Russian relations, Latin American rights, and African environmental policies and policies towards women and girls.
In her spare time she home schools her son, She is interested in fashion, European, African and Latin American politics. Magdalene enjoys watching the news and reading The Washington Post.
TWITTER: @mcramer
THADDAUS BRECKENRIDGE
is a full-time Student at Davis & Elkins College, President of his Debate Society, and Advisory Board Member of the West Virginia Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs at the State Capitol. He is currently studying Political Science and Psychology, with minors in History and Communication.
Thaddaus, is a “Superior” rank debater in the oldest National Debate League in history “Pi Kappa Delta”. In additions, he has practical experience with advocacy, and attended the CPD Action Detroit 2019: The People Convention.
Thaddaus was part of the leadership from multi-issue and multiracial organizations from 34 states, DC and Puerto Rico. He often met with 2020 presidential candidates, from which he developed federal agenda and local initiatives. Thaddaus is also a 2020 WVHHOMA Board Trailblazer Awards Gala “Groundbreaker” Award Winner.
TWITTER: @THADDAUS
Sayuni Dharmasensa
is an upcoming freshman at Johns Hopkins University, where she will pursue a major in Biomedical Engineering.
As a teenager, Sayuni was passionate about providing a fresh perspective on current social and political issues in global affairs, particularly involving the Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Sayuni is also interested in exploring the darker side of academia, including the underlying gender disparities, discrimination, and large-scale corruption thatScience, technology, engineering, and mathematics persistently plague the private and public sectors.
Sayuni’s global perspective is positively influenced by her Sri Lankan heritage, and she hopes to shed light on the benefits of cultural diversity and protection against ethnic strife.
TWITTER: @sayunikd
Jason Fitch
is a current undergraduate at Montgomery College (Rockville, Maryland) with a background in the social sciences, information technology, and political ideologies. He is also technically trained as a video editor, graphic designer, and an online writer. As an avid consumer and producer of media, he is always on the look out for the next big thing in the news cycle to cover.
Jason is fascinated by the increasing role of automation in our lives, universal basic income, polarization of politics, and the threats of climate change, and global inequality. His current hobbies include: studying for information technology exams, reading the latest Thomas Pikkety book, and relearning the joys of commuter biking in the time of Coronavirus. His long-term goals are: to become a published professor of political science, fiction and non-fiction works, and also establishing online production studio.
TWITTER: @Poppychop
Adam Wolf
is a current AmeriCorps VISTA service member working with Fox Cities Habitat for Humanity in Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh with a BA in International Studies focusing on Africa and Global Security.
Previously, Adam spent time in New York where he monitored arms control negotiations at the United Nations Headquarters. He devotes much of his time to organizing Model United Nations conferences for students across the United States.
His areas of interest include security affairs in Sub-Saharan Africa and global governance within the United Nations.
TWITTER: @AdamWolfGlobal
Briana Taylor
holds a Master’s in Public Policy from George Washington University. Her portfolio focuses on gender-based violence (GBV) in conflict zones and genocide. Her previous work has been geographically centered in Bosnia-Herzegovina, South America, and the Horn of Africa.
Her research has been presented both nationally and internationally and her expertise has been sought on panels, colloquiums, and training about sexual violence prevention. She has also spoken on topics like the economic impact of sexual and domestic violence, Critical Theory, women's role in peace building, and more.
Taylor is also an alumna of Villanova University, and she aspires to pursue her PhD in subjects relating to genocide and atrocity. She recently received her MPP, and is fully devoted to her path of independent research, speaking, and writing. She is from New Jersey, but now lives in Washington, DC.
Twitter : @BrianaTaylorMPP
Raphael esseson
is a digital nomad with core interests in finance, Crypto, and holistic health. Having completed a diploma in leadership from the African Leadership University. This has helped him master the art of learning, unlearning, and relearning.
Born and raised in the most populous city in Africa, he has a strong connection to the continent. Having lived in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya seeing the laughter, anxiety, tears, and goosebumps of the African people he believes we are a people under God. Africa in his opinion is the city Abraham sought -- A city whose foundation and builder is God.
Ralph is an enthusiastic content creator with a love for seafood enjoys Watching Netflix and meeting new people. When not doing any of the above mentioned he is writing the next article to keep you informed and updated on the latest trends in health, nutrition, and personal growth.
TWITTER: @ESSESONAHMED
Katrin Kutlucinar
is a freelance journalist, and research associate for the Bipolar Collaborative Network. She graduated college with a B.A. in History and is currently a graduate student at Washington Adventist University for Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Born in Washington, DC, she has spent a significant amount of time traveling, and living in Cape Coast, Ghana where she taught young children to read and write.
Katrin’s is passionate student of mental illness in children and adolescents, as well as human nature, multicultural differences, and psychopharmacology. She is an avid researcher and writes about issues underrepresented in the media particularly social issues abroad.
TWITTER: @ Kutlucinar.Willie
Olivia Elswick
is a contributing journalist and Asia Correspondent. Most recently she worked in India at a rehabilitation center for former child laborers.
Olivia is currently employed in Yanji, China, on the border of North Korea where she has been reporting on events in the region.
Olivia is passionate about art, literature, traveling, and social justice. A recent graduate of Clemson University in South Carolina, where she studied Writing and Publication Studies, and Communications.
Twitter: @OCElswick
AUSTIN BRYAN
previously served as the managing editor of the Technician from 2014 – 2015. He was also on the editorial board for two-years, and co-authored editorials on a variety of topics relating to higher education. This included editorials on topics such as free speech, hate crimes, campus racism, and adjunct professors.
He was born in North Carolina and is a Park Scholar and Caldwell Fellow at North Carolina State University. Austin will graduate with a degree in African Studies and currently resides in Kampala, Uganda where he is conducting a twelve-month ethnographic research project at The AIDS Support Organization-Uganda.
TWITTER: @AUSTINBRYAN
helen huang
is a contributing journalist pursing a degree at American University in international studies with a concentration in U.S. foreign policy and a regional focus on the Middle East.
She is also pursuing a minor in Applied Physics and Arabic Language. Her interests are global human rights, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the spread of jihadism, and regional instability in the Middle East and North Africa.
After graduation, she plans to serve in the U.S. Army reserves before pursuing a Masters in International Security and a career in foreign policy research and analysis.
TWITTER: @Helene_serena
Vineeta Tiwari
is a contributing journalist living and reporting from India. She is passionate about issues facing emerging economies and employment markets. Vineeta is a computer science graduate who chose to become a writer to explore and discuss with readers the complexities of current global economic initiatives and world affairs.
Vineeta writes about immigration and employment opportunities available in the countries of the Arabian Gulf region. Prior to the Coronavirus global pandemic, she was an avid marketer for companies seeking ex-pats to support the countries in this region and their growing prominence in global affairs.
Twitter: @vinita1204
Jessamy Nichols
was a contributor to TNCR as an Africa Correspondent. She graduated in 2013 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she graduated with majors in Global Studies and Political Science, and a minor in African Studies.
Jessamy contributed many of her articles during her stay in Northern Uganda where she work in communications for a nonprofit. She has traveled extensively throughout East Africa and has worked in international affairs in Washington, DC.
Her interests include global human rights issues, international conflict resolution, African politics, regional instability, and multilateral institution behavior.
Twitter:@ JessamyNichols
jonathan eizyk
is a recent graduate from Northern Kentucky University, where he received a degree in History, with an emphasis on Geography and Middle East/North African Studies. He has a strong passion for the Middle East and world affairs, security, and conflict resolution. He also dedicates time to learning Arabic dialectology.
Born in Israel, but raised in America, Jonathan holds dual American-Israeli citizenship. At age 20. he returned to Israel during which time he learned Hebrew. He also served two-and-a-half years in an elite combat unit in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), followed by a year with the Israeli Ministry of Defense. His time and experiences in the region gave him a healthy respect for and understanding of both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
TWITTER: @JonEizyk
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