Media Innovation Group Data Fellows

In Fall 2022, the Media Innovation Group started an initiative to connect students with data driven stories. Professor McDonald hired a group of Data Fellows to work on various projects that involve and utilize data from databases across the state. The Fellows' main focus has been building a searchable database of local campaign finances since 2020. Each fellow works in a different area of research from extracting and organizing data to presenting data in a podcast format. We are excited to see where the local campaign finances project takes our fellows, and we look forward to sharing our findings.

Teresa Do - Data Editor

Journalism and Computer Science Senior
Hometown: Temple, TX

I had my start in the Media Innovation Group last year, manually extracting data from Texas prison heat records, but I’ve wanted to work with data since my first semester of college in Fall 2022 when Professor McDonald presented about data journalism in Digital Storytelling Basics! Since then, I’ve added computer science as a double major and taken Reporting with Data in order to further explore the intersection between technology and journalism. As the current Data Fellows Editor, I’m excited to work with and hear about the projects of other Data Fellows as well as pursue a project in collaboration with a reporter on maternal health outcomes in Texas! I hope to become more proficient in R, become familiar with other tools and help report on issues important to me this semester. Outside of MIG, you’ll likely find me grabbing a bite with friends or adding to a never-ending TBR list.

Maryam Alshalhm - Data Fellow

Journalism Senior
Houston, Texas

I joined MIG with the intention of further exploring how data can enhance journalistic storytelling. I am also interested in the business side of journalism and what helps news organizations to thrive in an era centered around the internet and social media. After graduating, I hope to continue my education at a master's program to enhance my understanding of businesses as a whole, and bring my knowledge from both my undergraduate and graduate education to bring innovative-forward ideas to the media industry.

Vivien Ayers - Data Fellow

Journalism and Sustainability Studies Senior
Hometown: Denton, TX

I fell in love with environmental reporting through my passion for understanding the climate and using sustainable practices. My past work has involved introductory work with data in news reporting for The Daily Texan, along with political coverage for both the Texan and The Austin-American Statesman. Data journalism is a branch of knowledge I'm excited to grow my skills in because knowing how to analyze this type of information allows reporters to add another, critical level of depth to their coverage. In my free time, I like to read fantasy novels, take photographs of the environment and go thrifting.

Abby Breyfogle - Strategy Fellow

Journalism Junior with a minor in Elements of Business
Hometown: Austin, TX

Hello! My name is Abby Breyfogle, and I’m excited to be working with as MIG’s Strategy Fellow. I handle all things communication for MIG. In addition to MIG, I also work as the Business and Executive Partnerships Manager at the Drag Audio Production House and President of Investigative Reporters and Editors at UT.

Outside of classes, I enjoy painting and trying new restaurants around Austin.

Laura Baker - Data Fellow

Journalism and Dance Senior
Hometown: Augusta, GA

Hi! I am Laura Baker, and I'm excited to be involved with the Media Innovation Group this semester. I look forward to diving into projects that strengthen my skills as a data reporter and allow me to collaborate with journalists at UT and beyond. I am excited to contribute to data-driven stories that break down complex information into meaningful journalistic narratives. Outside of MIG, I have previously written for The Daily Texan as a Life and Arts Reporter and Projects Reporter. I also serve as Senior Editor for BurntxOrange Magazine, and I am an Editorial Fellow with Spectrum News.

Layla Dajani - Data Fellow

Journalism Senior with a minor in Studio Art
Hometown: Cairo, Egypt

I got involved with the Media Innovation Group to strengthen my abilities in making large-scale datasets more accessible and actionable for journalists and the broader public. I am also the Life & Arts Editor at The Daily Texan and will be interning with KUT this semester! Some of my interests include ceramics, music writing, and photography.

Emily DeMotte - Data Fellow

Journalism Junior with a minor in Law, Justice and Society
Hometown: Plano, TX

Hi! My name is Emily DeMotte and I’m excited to dive further into exploring data journalism as a Data Fellow this year. Outside of MIG, I am also the projects editor for The Daily Texan, a senior producer for The Drag Audio and a writing coach with the Moody Writing Support Program. In my free time, I enjoy rewatching my favorite shows, thrift shopping and spending time outdoors.

Jake Griffith - Data Fellow

Journalism and History Junior
Waxahachie, Texas

This will be my first semester working within the Media Innovation Group, and I am eager to deepen my understanding of meaningful data journalism while sharpening skills to analyze and apply datasets to reporting. Numbers tell stories, and I believe it is crucial for an informed society to be aware of what data and patterns are trying to tell them. In the past, I have spent my summers clerking alongside criminal defense attorneys and have written for the UT Cactus Yearbook. As a data fellow, I look forward to exploring new technological avenues to spark positive change in our communities. In my free time, you could probably catch me watching Dallas sports, a new TV show or outdoors fishing and golfing.

Kylee Howard - Data Fellow

Journalism Senior with minors in Spanish and History
Hometown: Waco, TX

I'm a journalism senior with minors in Spanish and history. On top of taking on the group's ongoing look into the Texas State House campaign races, I am currently serving as the Managing Editor of The Daily Texan. I've interned for UT's Department of Computer Science and most recently worked for the Albuquerque Journal through the Dow Jones News Fund. After graduating, I hope to work as a journalist in Texas, covering government and public issues.

Nico Pinto - Data Fellow

Journalism Senior
Hometown: Houston, TX

This is my first semester as part of the Media Innovation Group. What excites me most about being a Data Fellow is the opportunity to help journalists tell engaging stories from new perspectives. I hope to improve my data skills and make data-driven stories more approachable. I love to make and eat empanadas and watch movies. I'm a massive fan of an Argentinian soccer club called Estudiantes de La Plata.

Ashlyn Poole - AI Fellow

Journalism Junior with a Statistics and Data Science minor
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX

My primary interest lies at the intersection of AI and journalism. I started with the Media Innovation Group as an AI Fellow last fall. This year, I’m continuing to develop my Sourcerer bot for Hearst Newspapers in collaboration with Ryan Serpico. The bot is a data extraction tool that utilizes AI and programming to create a source directory dataset.

Daniella Robles - Reporting Fellow

Journalism Junior with a minor in Communicating Social Issues and Law, Justice & Society
Hometown: Junction City, Kansas

Last semester I was a part of the AI Team and will continue this semester as a Reporter and Research Fellow with MIG, where I was will be assisting the group throughout all major projects. I also write for the News Deperatment with the Daily Texan as a General News Reporter. I am extremely passionate about all things investigative journalism and hope to continue in the field post grad.

Chandler Tompkins - Data Fellow

Journalism Senior

Hey y’all! My name is Chandler Tompkins, and I am a senior journalism major with a minor in Italian studies! I joined MIG because I love storytelling, and data is a wonderful tool to do so! I am interested in cultural and environmental stories, and my goal as a student journalist is to amplify overlooked voices. Outside of MIG, I am a Moody College Dean’s Ambassador and a Development Coordinator for Camp Kesem!

Diego Torrealba - Data Fellow

Journalism Senior with Elements of Computing certificate
Hometown: Dallas, TX

Previously a student technician, I joined MIG out of my passion for journalistic storytelling, programming and emerging technologies. What excites me about the intersection of journalism and computer science are the various kinds of stories I can produce that combine strong reporting with computational techniques. I am particularly interested in data analytics, databases and full-stack development. Previously, I have been a videographer for The Daily Texan and a script-editor/fact-checker for The Drag Audio Production House. A fun fact about me is that I read every placard when I visit any museum.