Photo by Krystal Cheongeui Won
In an era of information overload and blind conformity, I realized that narratives built on databases and documents have real staying power and impact.
Since then, I've been building databases and using data analysis to uncover patterns and connections that support traditional storytelling. I also translate complex realities into something comprehensible and accessible through data visualizations, maps, and tables—sometimes, these become the story itself.
Currently
I'm the Content Director at 81st Media in New York. I'm also a Contributing Writer at Initium Media, covering AI and tech. I founded CRACK (凿壁而入).
Previously
I worked in different types of newsrooms, collaborated with reporters across beats, and covered a variety of stories on local, national and foreign assignments. I was a data graphics fellow at Business Insider, a data reporting fellow at The Washington Post and Investigative Reporting Workshop, and an election researcher at The Dallas Morning News.
I initially trained as a business reporter in Shanghai, at Caixin Media and Yicai.
I hold a master's degree in journalism and media from UT Austin. I also trained at Investigative Reporters & Editors at the University of Missouri, supported by the Dow Jones News Fund.
One More Thing
Data can be biased, hypotheses can be wrong, methodologies can be limited, and graphics can be misleading. Every improvement in my work depends on feedback from editors and colleagues. I'm always eager to hear people's thoughts. I'm committed to creating a safe and welcoming space to discuss works, so please reach out!
In the News
| Time | Publication | How they used my work |
|---|---|---|
| 2024.08 | Forbes | Dedicated half the piece to citing my research, describing it as one of "the best and most insightful pieces of research" and "a superb analysis of the Olympic medals tables" |
| 2024.08 | Cosmopolitan | Referenced my tracking of Team USA's dominance of the Olympic medal table |
Awards
Part of a team at Business Insider for coverage of The True Cost of Data Centers, 2026:
- George Polk Awards in Environmental Reporting (Winner)
- Gerald Loeb Awards in Investigative (Finalist)
- Online Journalism Awards in The University of Florida Award in Investigative Data Journalism (Finalist)
- SABEW Awards in Data Journalism (Honorable Mention)
- Deadline Club Awards in Business Investigative Reporting (Finalist)