New business reporter at LA Times

Swati Pandey, a researcher and assistant articles editor for the Los Angeles Times editorial pages, will become a general assignment entertainment business reporter, according to a memo posted on the paper’s ombudsman’s blog.

Managing editor Davan Maharaj wrote, “A 2004 graduate of Yale University, Swati has been with The Times for just over two years, and has been a stalwart contributor to the editorial pages during that time. Initially a researcher and fact-checker, she has steadily expanded her range with varied and literate articles for the editorial pages and other departments, notably Calendar. Most recently, she produced a lovely Column 1, a first-person piece that ran last week to great acclaim.

“Before joining The Times, Swati worked as a research associate at the New America Foundation in Washington, D.C., where she co-wrote several pieces for intellectual journals. She came to The Times in 2005, and quickly distinguished herself with editorials on immigration, foreign affairs and other topics.