DISINFOLAB: LETS FIGHT DISINFORMATION TOGETHER
MEET OUR TEAM
Our lab is made up of three separate teams which approach our mission of disinformation research, bot tracking, analysis reports, and public outreach.
FOUNDERS AND DIRECTORS
THOMAS PLANT
FOUNDER
Tom Plant received his B.A. in International Relations and Hispanic Studies from the College of William & Mary in May 2022. In addition to DisinfoLab, Tom served as a Research Fellow for the Project on International Peace and Security (PIPS), where he wrote an award-winning white paper on the impact of mis- and disinformation during the rally 'round the flag effect. Tom currently works as a Wargaming Analyst for Valens Global.
AARAJ VIJ
CO-DIRECTOR
Aaraj Vij is pursuing a B.A. in International Relations and B.S. in Computer Science from the College of William & Mary '23. Drawing on his education, he researches both policy and technical solutions to detect and counteract disinformation campaigns before they proliferate. Aaraj also serves as the Technical Director for the W&M Social Science Research Methods Center.
MEGAN HOGAN
FOUNDER
Meg founded DisinfoLab during the summer of 2020 following her fellowship with the Project on International Peace and Security, where she published an award-winning white paper on deepfakes as a disinformation tactic. She graduated from the College of William & Mary in 2021 with a B.A. in International Relations and Economics. In addition to foreign disinformation campaigns, Meg’s research interests include the intersection of technology and policy, post-Soviet politics, and East African stability.
ALYSSA NEKRITZ
MANAGING EDITOR
Alyssa is Managing Editor and Disinformation Analyst for DisinfoLab. She is a junior pursuing a B.A. in International Relations with a minor in Data Science from the College of William & Mary. Her interests include polling data analysis and tracking foreign media influence in Eastern Europe. Alyssa also works for the National Center for State Courts. She loves DisinfoLab and hopes you do too!
JEREMY SWACK
CO-DIRECTOR
Jeremy Swack is currently pursuing a B.S. in both Computer Science and Data Science from the College of William and Mary ‘24. Using his background in machine learning and data visualization, he researches data driven methods to analyze and predict the spread of disinformation. His other research interests include deep learning applications, natural language processing, and artificial intelligence.
2021-2022 TEAM MEMBERS
SOPHIA CHEN
Communications Team
Sophia is a member of the communications team at DisinfoLab and is currently pursuing a B.S. in Computational and Applied Mathematics and Statistics at the College of William and Mary. Her interests include creating social media content that utilizes Canva and other forms of graphic design. Other than this, she is a secretary for Zodiacs, an audition free dance team at W&M.
SARAH DEVENDORF
Disinformation Analyst
Sarah Devendorf is a Disinformation Analyst for DisinfoLab and is pursuing a B.A. in Government and History at the College of William & Mary. She is graduating with the class of 2025. Her primary area of interest is studying the impact of disinformation on political party polarization. She is also interested in researching how demographics such as race, class, gender, and religion impact ideological preference.
SHRADHA DINESH
Disinformation Analyst
Shradha Dinesh is a Disinformation Analyst for Disinfo Lab and is pursuing a B.A. in sociology from the College of William & Mary. Her research interests include political radicalization and methods of addressing disinformation in news media. Outside of Disinfo Lab, she is also involved with student publications.
ARIANA HE
Communications Team
Ariana He is currently pursuing her B.A. in economics and government from the College of William and Mary 25’. She is interested in international economic development, immigration policy, and transitional human rights. Outside the DisInfo lab, she is also an active member of the travel MUN team of International Relations Club. Her interests also include guitar, photography, and mock trial.
CHEYENNE HWANG
Communications Team
Cheyenne is on the communications team at DisinfoLab and is pursuing a B.S. in computer science and a B.A. in sociology at the College of William & Mary. Her interests include UX/UI design, machine learning, and criminology. She is also a member of W&M dance team, a member of the Chinese Student Organization, and a research assistant for AidData.
BRENNEN MICHEAL
Disinformation Analyst
Brennen Micheal is a sophomore currently pursuing a B.A. in Government with a minor in Psychology. His research interests include the role of disinformation in international security and development. Brennen also serves as an intern for the Project on International Peace and Security (PIPS) and is involved with Moot Court and Innocence Club.
CONRAD NING
Technical Disinformation Analyst
Conrad Ning is currently pursuing a B.S. in Data Science from the College of William and Mary '22. His interests include the study of machine learning and 5G technology. He is also a member of Taiwanese American Student Association and Club Volleyball. He is one of the Technical Analysts in DisInfo Lab.
PRITIKA RAVI
Disinformation Analyst
Pritika Ravi is currently pursuing her B.A. in Government from the College of William and Mary. Her academic interests include feminist political theory, Indian politics, and racial liberation and she is involved with the sexual assault prevention organization Someone You Know (SYK) and with the Digital Inclusion in Governance (DIG) Lab.
SAYYED RAZMJO
Technical Disinformation Analyst
Sayyed is a rising senior pursuing a double major in Government and Computer Science at the College of William and Mary. He has worked with many start-ups and research organizations during the past few years and loves to discover the connections between technologies and politics.
CHAS RINNE
Technical Disinformation Analyst
Chas Rinne is currently pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science with a minor in Music from the College of William & Mary 23’. His interests include the study of algorithms and machine learning, as well as singing with the W&M Cleftomaniacs. He is a member of the Technical Analyst team in DisinfoLab.
SKYLER SEETS
Technical Disinformation Analyst
Skyler is a current sophomore at the College of William & Mary majoring in Data Science and Public Policy. Outside of DisinfoLab, Skyler is a member of the Student Organization for Medical Outreach and Sustainability (SOMOS), Vox, and on the Pep Band executive board. She is interested in using quantitative and qualitative skills to study human behavior, with a specific interest in how media, religion, and linguistics affect political decision making.
MADELINE SMITH
Disinformation Analyst
Madeline is a Disinformation Analyst for DisinfoLab. She is a senior at William & Mary pursuing a B.A. in Government and minoring in Biology. She is interested in examining disinformation pertaining to climate change and combating widespread climate denial in the United States.
SAMANTHA STRAUSS
Disinformation Analyst
Samantha is currently pursuing her B.A. in Government and History from the College of William and Mary ‘23. Her interests include racial justice and American polarization. She is also a member of Young Democrats and serves as a James Blair Historical Review Peer Editor.
SELENE SWANSON
Disinformation Analyst
Selene is a Disinformation Analyst for DisinfoLab. She is a senior at William & Mary majoring in Government and minoring in Management and Organizational Leadership. Her research interests include political polarization and electoral reform.
MARY WATERMAN
Disinformation Analyst
Mary Waterman is a Disinformation Analyst for DisinfoLab. She is currently a sophomore at the College of William and Mary pursuing her B.A. in Government. Her academic interests include the weaponization of disinformation and the psychological processes of radicalization. She is also involved in the club rowing team, 7g Sketch Comedy, Intervarsity and the Birding Club.
SARAH WOZNIAK
Disinformation Analyst
Sarah is a Disinformation Analyst for DisinfoLab and is pursuing a B.A. in International Relations and Economics at the College of William & Mary. Her interests include international trade and development. She is also a Research Assistant for AidData, an Associate Editor for The Monitor.
YILE XU
Technical Disinformation Analyst
Yile Xu is a technical Analyst for DisinfoLab. She is a sophomore at the College of William & Mary pursuing B.S. in Computer Science and Data Science on the data application track. Her research interest is using data mining techniques to analyze critical issues in current society.
SEAN ZHOU
Technical Disinformation Analyst
Sean is a senior at the college who joined the Technology Team in the Disinformation Lab in Spring 2022. He is currently pursuing a B.S. in Applied Statistics at the College of William & Mary. He is passionate about the spread of disinfo between China and the U.S.
INTERESTED IN JOINING? CONTACT US!
