Journalism Faculty and Staff

Prakash Acharya is currently a Ph.D. candidate and instructor at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. He began his studies in the graduate program in spring 2023. Since then, he has taught several courses, including 1. JOUR3330: Editing, 2. JOUR2311: Multiplatform Reporting and Writing, and 3. JOUR4790_5790: Data Journalism. Acharya is scheduled to teach JOUR3140: Fundamentals of Online Journalism in the Fall of 2025. His research focuses on misinformation, disinformation, fact-checking, audience engagement, and rhetorical analysis within the complex communication landscape that intertwines journalism and non-journalism. With over 17 years of experience as a journalist and 20 years of teaching journalism, he has effectively integrated his practical experience in daily newspapers with his teaching for more than 13 years. Additionally, his academic pursuits—including research and writing—have advanced his career. These dual experiences in both industry and academia, combined with his research efforts, have provided him with essential skills: reporting on socio-political and data-driven stories for multiplatform news outlets, conducting thorough fact-checking and verification using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and other contemporary tools like AI, as well as editing, interviewing, and employing mixed methods in research. 

pa467622@ohio.edu

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Eric Boll is a Ph.D. student in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism specializing in science communication and science news. A three-time bobcat, Eric got both his B.S.J and M.S.J from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. Eric has also obtained certificates in political communications and war and peace studies.

Professionally, Eric has covered several beats including general news, basketball, track and field, cross country, agriculture, the environment and more. He currently works for the Athens County Independent as an environment and science reporter.

eb633118@ohio.edu

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Raja Das is a Ph.D. candidate in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. His teaching and research intersect media, law, and education, with a focus on how issues of gender, race, and class shape media practices and representations. At Ohio University, he has designed and taught courses in Race, Gender, and Class in Mass Media and Journalism, Online Journalism, Reporting and Writing in TV and Radio, and News and Information Literacy over the last three years. His research focuses on developing an inclusive journalism pedagogy to prepare journalists as a global citizen.

Raja’s current dissertation, Navigating Hate Speech Education in U.S. Journalism Schools, critically examines how journalism pedagogy engages with hate speech law and democratic discourse in the classroom. He presented his research at various international conferences organized by World Journalism Education Congress (WJEC), Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), and South Asia Communication Association (SACA).

Before joining academia, Raja worked as a journalist with The Telegraph in India, covering education, politics, and human-interest stories. He also served as Program Officer at a non-profit Media Research Organization, coordinating projects on media literacy, digital safety, and hate speech awareness in collaboration with organizations such as UNICEF and the Commonwealth Secretariat. His research has appeared in Economic and Political Weekly, Global Media Journal, and in publications supported by UCLA and the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Lina Elshrief, originally from Egypt, is a PhD student, a Teaching Assistant, and a Scripps Howard Teaching Fellow at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, at Ohio University. She has more than 13 years of experience as a multimedia journalist, translator, and consultant, working with different Egyptian and Middle Eastern news websites and international organizations, including the United Nations.

Lina is a Fulbright alumna who holds a Master of Arts in Multimedia Journalism from Arkansas Tech University. Her master’s graduation capstone, “The Voiceless,” is a digital platform that focuses on the stories of Syrian refugees in the U.S., emphasizing their struggles and contributions.

She also earned a Bachelor of Mass Communication, majoring in Journalism, from Cairo University. Additionally, she holds diplomas in Media & Literary Translation, and Legal & UN Translation from The American University in Cairo.

Her work spans multiple disciplines, including creating and editing news, conducting interviews, and producing videos. Lina believes that translation creates peace among people, and she translated numerous articles and reports from English into Arabic and vice versa, working as the Arabic translator for IJNET, a project of  the International Center for Journalists, the Egyptian Shorouknews, the Emirates Al-Ain, the Egyptian Mada Masr, and more. She is also a member of the Egyptian Syndicate of Journalists.

Beyond journalism, Lina has worked with international organizations, such as a multimedia consultant for the International Rescue Committee, a social media consultant at the headquarters of the United Nations Population Fund in New York, a communication assistant with the regional office of the United Nations World Food Programme in Egypt, and a Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse consultant with United Nations International Organization for Migration in Egypt.

Her research interests cover topics related to migration and refugees in media, ethics and disinformation related to covering those minorities. She is a teaching assistant for JOUR 2311 Introduction to Multiplatform Reporting and Writing class, as well as an instructor for the UC 1900 Learning Community Seminar in Journalism. Before that, she was a teaching assistant for JOUR 1010 Future of Media class in Fall 2024.

One fun fact about Lina is she likes chocolates, and her main goal is to try all kinds of chocolates in the world while traveling and seeing what is happening on this planet.

le790224@ohio.edu

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I have been a teaching assistant for Jour 2311:Multiplatform Reporting and Writing and Jour 1010: The Future of Media.

My research interests cover press freedom, interference in newsrooms, and journalist organizations. I have over two decades of experience in practicing journalism. Throughout my career, I have held various positions in both print and electronic media in Bangladesh, including leadership roles where I managed news bulletins and teams of journalists. Upon transitioning to education, I integrated my journalistic experience and hands-on approach into the classroom.

ih108723@ohio.edu

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Naoki Kuroishi is an instructor of record and PhD student in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism.

Naoki previously worked as a political reporter at The Asahi Shimbun, one of Japan’s leading national newspapers, covering the Prime Minister’s Office and contributing to major investigations, including the Kake Gakuen corruption scandal. He also taught political science at Tokai University in Japan.

Since joining Scripps College in 2023, Naoki has taught undergraduate courses including Multiplatform Reporting and Writing, Graphics of Communication, and News and Information Literacy.

Naoki holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Chuo University (Japan) and a Master’s degree in Political Communication from Cardiff University (UK).

nk587323@ohio.edu

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Maryam Lasisi Mustapha is a doctoral student in Mass Communication/Journalism at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, Ohio University. A Mass Communication Faculty at the Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin, Nigeria where she taught courses in advertising and public relations, drawing massively on her marketing and corporate communication background and work experience to inform their delivery.

She holds a bachelor's and master's degree in mass communication respectively, from the University of Ilorin where she bagged a First Class Honours and University of Lagos, a distinction. These universities are considered Centres of Excellence in Mass Communication and Media Studies in Nigeria. These programmes have helped in acquiring a strong grasp of the fundamental of mass communication, conceptually, theoretically and methodologically, and fuelled her interest in further intellectual exploration of the field.

Her undergraduate project, on newspapers reportage of University of Ilorin from its inception in 1975 to year 2008 by a team of eight students, under her leadership, exemplified her teamwork and leadership spirit. The report, which was eventually published as a compendium, received applauds from the university management and the Senate during the 2009 convocation ceremony. She currently teaches introduction to advertising and public relations as well as introduction to advertising and public relations writing at Ohio university.

Besides Mass Communication, Maryam is also a member of the prestigious institute, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). A consummate academic, Maryam is a member of Learned and Professional Societies such as African Council for Communication Education (ACCE), Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and Association of Communication Scholars & Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). 

ml527723@ohio.edu

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Ann Lokeder Natiom is a journalist, storyteller, and media producer who believes in the power of storytelling to inspire change. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Mass Communication and Journalism at Ohio University, Ann focuses her work on how media can shape understanding, amplify marginalized voices, and drive social transformation.

Her career spans both news reporting and creative production. Before moving to the U.S., Ann worked as a sports journalist at Nation Media Group in Nairobi, Kenya, where she covered international tournaments in Belgium and Germany and wrote athlete-focused features that spotlighted women in sports.

After working with WOUB Public Media in Athens Ohio,, she produced “I’m From,” a web series highlighting the resilience and creativity of international students, and later directed “Self-Love: The Journey,” a behind-the-scenes documentary exploring identity, artistry, and self-discovery, all available on her YouTube channel and other social media platforms.

Ann’s storytelling blends journalistic integrity with visual creativity. She’s skilled in video editing, production management, and digital storytelling, with hands-on experience using Adobe Creative Cloud, Final Cut Pro, and Premiere Pro. She is also certified in Mobile Journalism (Deutsche Welle) and Project Management and Communication (Hootsuite).

Fluent in English and Swahili, Ann brings a cross-cultural perspective to every project she takes on. Whether behind the camera, in the classroom, or at the writing desk, she is driven by one goal to tell stories that connect, challenge, and create change.

an141822@ohio.edu

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Van Pham is an international doctoral student in Mass Communication at the Scripps College of Journalism at Ohio University. With nearly two decades of experience, Van brings a wealth of expertise as a public relations and communications professional, having built a strong track record across diverse industries in Vietnam.

Her career includes leadership roles such as Head of Marketing and Communication at Keppel Land Vietnam, Communications and External Affairs Director at Philip Morris International (PMI), PR & Communications Director at Vietnam USA Society English Centers (VUS), and PR & Communication Director at RMIT University Vietnam. Additionally, Van founded and managed her own agency, Publik Communications, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit.

Throughout her career, Van has excelled in developing and implementing policies, strategies, and goals for organizations while managing daily operations with precision. She has cultivated an extensive network, including over 500 journalists and reporters across Vietnam, ranging from entry-level to senior roles, as well as government officials, regulators, and business leaders.

Van’s leadership and management skills are complemented by her deep expertise in marketing, public relations, strategic planning, event management, and media production. She has produced a wide array of content, including print ads, editorials, advertorials, TV commercials, short films, and corporate videos. Her event management portfolio includes successfully organizing hundreds of events for RMIT, Publik Communications’ clients, and VUS. Notably, she has also produced over 200 television programs aired on VTV, Vietnam’s national television network.

As a PhD student, Van has spent four semesters teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses, covering topics such as News & Information Literacy, Advertising & PR Research and Theory, and Strategic Social Media. Her teaching experience has further honed her ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.

Beyond her professional achievements, Van is a passionate researcher dedicated to tackling critical issues in communication and society. Her research explores topics like public health communication, digital media harm, and the representation of marginalized communities. Her work has earned recognition, with papers accepted for presentation at the 2024 AEJMC Annual Conference, the 2025 AEJMC Southeast Colloquium, the 2025 MBAA International Conference, and the 2025 AEJMC Annual Conference.

vp116322@ohio.edu 

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