Alex Spangher’s journey begins with music. Hours at the piano, years with the bass—which teaches him something rare in research: how to build slowly, with rhythm, form, and care. That same sensibility shaped his work as a PhD researcher at USC’s Information Sciences Institute, where he worked to reimagine journalism for an era of shrinking newsrooms and endless information.

After his time as a data scientist at The New York Times, Spangher sees the gaps in how stories are found, who gets quoted, and what voices shape the public record. At ISI, he developed tools that help journalists surface hidden leads, diversify their sources, and reach audiences more deeply. His goal isn’t to automate the news, it’s to restore its reach and relevance.