Alexis Madrigal
Born 1983 · Age 43
American journalist, staff writer and editor (Wired, The Atlantic, Fusion). Co-founder of The COVID Tracking Project, host of KQED's Forum, author of Powering the Dream and host of the Containers audio documentary.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Mexico City
Born in Mexico City; later moved to the United States.
Family moved to rural Washington (Ridgefield)
Grew up in rural Washington State (Ridgefield), a bicultural upbringing that shaped his worldview.
Middle-school activism around Confederate flag
Family and local parents (including his dad) organized to remove a Confederate flag from the middle school trophy case in Ridgefield.
Entered Harvard University
Began undergraduate studies at Harvard University (BA program, graduated 2004).
Wrote an early novella
Wrote what he later described as 'a bad novella' during his student years—an early literary effort.
Brief job at a hedge fund
Worked briefly for a hedge fund after college before switching into journalism.
Graduated from Harvard University
Received BA from Harvard University (class of 2004).
Joined Wired magazine (first journalism role)
Landed his first journalism job at Wired; later served as a staff writer for the publication.
Joined The Atlantic
Began working for The Atlantic as a writer/staffer in 2010.
Moved to North Oakland
Began living in the North Oakland home where he'd reside with his wife and children (has lived there since 2011).
Published book: Powering the Dream
Author of Powering the Dream: The History and Promise of Green Technology (Da Capo Press, 2011).
Curated 5it newsletter and worked from Murray Street Media Lab
Curated the 5it newsletter on emerging technologies and worked out of the Murray Street Media Lab in Berkeley with Robin Sloan.
Published Atlantic/Breakthrough article on solar panels
Wrote analysis pieces such as 'How Solar Panels Became Cheap' (Dec 5, 2012) exploring energy and climate topics.
Visiting scholar / affiliate roles (UC Berkeley, Harvard Berkman)
Served as a visiting scholar at UC Berkeley's Information School and Center for the Study of Technology, Science, and Medicine; affiliated with Harvard's Berkman Klein Center.
Spoke at Aspen Ideas Festival
Spoke on a panel titled 'A New and Promising Energy Future' alongside Tony Fadell at the Aspen Ideas Festival.
Promoted to Deputy Editor of TheAtlantic.com
Promoted to deputy editor of TheAtlantic.com (announced July 8, 2014).
Joined Fusion as part of major hiring push
Left The Atlantic and joined Fusion later in 2014 during a high-profile hiring spree for the media channel.
Appointed Editor-in-Chief at Fusion (previous role noted)
Served as editor-in-chief of Fusion (exact appointment timing noted in his bio; he led editorial work there after joining).
Hosted 'Containers' 8‑part audio documentary
Hosted an 8-part audio documentary on containerization and global trade called 'Containers'.
Launched/curated Oakland Garden Club newsletter
Became proprietor of the Oakland Garden Club, a newsletter for people who like to think about plants (date approximated as late-2010s).
COVID Tracking Project data used by major institutions
Data compiled by the Project was used by Johns Hopkins University, The New York Times, CNN, and cited by the White House (demonstrating broad adoption).
Cofounded The COVID Tracking Project
Launched the COVID Tracking Project (March 2020) with Robinson Meyer and volunteers to track COVID-19 spread and testing data in the U.S.
COVID Tracking Project partners with Boston University
The project partnered with Boston University Center for Antiracist Research to provide racial and ethnic data and analysis.
Profiled in Diablo Magazine for COVID work
Featured in Diablo Magazine (Aug 21, 2020) for leading and cofounding the COVID Tracking Project.
Published Atlantic personal essay (covid experience)
Published 'Getting Back to Normal Is Only Possible Until You Test Positive' in The Atlantic (Nov 9, 2021).
Became co-host of KQED's Forum (current role)
Serving as co-host of the daily Forum program on California Public Radio for KQED in San Francisco (date of start approximated; he is a current host).
Served as judge for American Mosaic Journalism Prize
Served as a judge for the 2024 American Mosaic Journalism Prize (Heising-Simons Foundation).
Publication: The Pacific Circuit (forthcoming)
New book The Pacific Circuit scheduled for publication March 2025 by MCD x FSG (advance/book project announced on his site).
Key Achievement Ages
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