About

Sitara Sayed Maruf is a freelance science writer and has 14 years of experience as a print and broadcast journalist.

Sitara began her reporting career in 1991 with India Abroad, an international publication published from New York. She then joined the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in Washington DC as a full-time intern in 1997, and quickly moved over to being a researcher, tape editor, interviewer and freelance producer. Working on several news programs at the BBC. Sitara also helped in setting up a new daily news broadcast, USA Direct.

In 2001-2002, Sitara conceptualized and produced a half-hour weekly news-and-features television program Human Interest Today for WPXW TV and MHz networks. She was also writer, anchor, video-editor and reporter on the program that reached more than 2.2 million homes in the DC metro area.

In her career as a print and broadcast journalist, Sitara has secured hundreds of interviews from prominent scientists, political leaders, activists, professionals, artists and celebrities from the United States, England and South Asia, for print and broadcast news and features.

To pursue her interest in science research, she joined the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Maryland as a Science Writer / Editor and Press Officer in 2006, and wrote articles for NIH News.

For the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at NIH, she analyzed scientific papers, mostly on highly complex topics in immunology and infectious diseases and wrote and edited press releases while contributing articles and content to their web site as well as their Discovery magazine.

As a press officer at NIH, she responded to reporters every month on a wide array of allergy, immunology and infectious disease topics, including biodefense.

Her media and public relations efforts have generated extensive coverage in all forms of mainstream and ethnic media at NIH, as well as in former Maryland governor, Parris Glendening’s office, where she served as Media and Communications Director for Census 2000.

Leading media and public communications strategy, she reached out to hundreds of media outlets, prepared press releases and TV segments, and organized press conferences for the governor’s office.

Very interested in South Asian arts and culture, she has also contributed to the South Asian Arts and Entertainment Magazine, Spotlight, and Eve’s Weekly.

Sitara has earned two master’s degrees. A Master of Arts in journalism and public affairs from American University, in Washington DC, and Master of Science in biochemistry, from University of Pune, India.

 Notable Awards and Honors

Performance Award for 2007 from the National Institutes of Health

An honor for hard work and sensitivity in story treatment from the BBC

Recognition for dedication, commitment and outstanding service as

Media and Communications Director, from former Maryland governor, Parris Glendening

Other Activities and Professional Organizations

D.C. Science Writers Association

The American Association for the Advancement of Science

South Asian Journalists Association

Ethnic Affairs Committee, 2003-2004, Montgomery County, Maryland

Volunteer Advocate at the Abused Persons Program, Montgomery County, Maryland, 2011