Data Journalist & Reporter · New York City Somaiyah Hafeez

Columbia University · M.S. Data Journalism · NUST · B.S. Physics (President's Gold Medal)

I'm a data journalist and reporter at Reach Plc, producing breaking news and data-driven stories using public records, original analysis, and visualization. I hold a B.S. in Physics from the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) and an M.S. in Data Journalism from Columbia University. Before moving to New York, I worked as a freelance journalist in Pakistan. My work has appeared in The Guardian, New Lines Magazine, The New Humanitarian, and The Diplomat. I cover the intersection of politics, economics, public policy and human stories through data and reporting.

The Mirror · Irish Star · The Express
ICE arrests New York
The Mirror · Data Analysis . Data Visualization.

Russia has raked in billions from fuel export to the EU in 6 months, new analysis finds

Data visualization and analysis of Europe's import of Russian LNG.

ICE arrests New York
The Mirror · Data Analysis . Data Visualization.

US-Iran war has already cost Americans an extra $447.19 on energy costs

AQI
The Mirror · GitHub Actions. Auto-updating. API. Data Visualization.

New York air quality mapped after levels spiked to beyond 'unhealthy' from Canadian wildfires

Built an automated data pipeline using GitHub Actions to keep air quality data current in real time.

AQI
The Mirror . Data Analysis/Python. Data Visualization.

As Elon Musk turns 55, his fortune underscores the stark wealth inequality in the U.S.

Analyzed Musk's unprecedented wealth accumulation against U.S. income inequality data.

AQI
The Mirror . Data Analysis/Python. Data Visualization.

Is this the oldest Senate ever? How half of the chamber has passed the retirement age

Analyzed Congressional age data to show a historic demographic shift in the U.S. Senate.

ICE arrests New York
The Mirror · Exclusive · Data Analysis

Interactive map: mass decline in US visitors from major countries

Original analysis of post-inauguration tourism decline across 30+ countries using national travel data.

ICE arrests New York
The Mirror · Data Analysis

Iran war is most unpopular conflict in 76 years — more than Vietnam

Historical polling comparison across seven decades of U.S. military conflicts.

ICE arrests New York
The Mirror · Exclusive · Conflict Data

Map: 2,297 US-Israeli strike events on Iran across 29 provinces

Mapped U.S.-Israeli strikes using ACLED conflict monitoring data as war passed one month.

ICE arrests New York
The Mirror · Data Analysis

60% of ICE arrests in New York had no criminal charges

Analyzed the federal ICE arrest dataset across New York State.

US population 340 million
The Mirror · Data Analysis

U.S. population hits 340 million ahead of America's 250th birthday

Analyzed Census population growth trends timed to the nation's semiquincentennial.

The Mirror · Mapping

Interactive map shows impact of SNAP benefits freeze

Visualizing which states and counties are most affected by benefit freezes.

The Mirror · Elections

Inside the New York borough that flipped in elections

Voting and demographic data combined to analyze political shifts at borough level.

Florida executions data
The Mirror · Data Reporting

Florida sets new record for executions

Analyzed state execution data to reveal trends and context behind the record.

Measles cases by state
The Mirror · Health Data

State reports highest number of measles cases

Analyzed CDC data to track outbreak trends and state-level incidence.

Nuclear weapons data
The Mirror · Defense Data

US lags behind Russia in nuclear weapons, data shows

Used arms control datasets to compare nuclear stockpiles and spending trends.

Investigative & Longform
International Publications
Featured Broadcasts 3 Videos

Sammi Deen Baloch at the United Nations

Baloch Long March for the Disappeared

Pakistan Floods: Communities on the Frontline

Quick-turn Visualizations 6 Charts
Charlie Kirk locator map
Age of Presidents
ICE arrests NYC
Texas measles
Executive orders
Inflation
oil reserves
Ebola
Iran
Recognition & Awards