Innovation Scholars: 2023-2024

Yana Savitsky was a Summer Fellow for the Reclaim Project’s Social Media team and now serves as a Social Media & Strategy Fellow. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, she is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in journalism at the University of Southern California. Yana is interested in how interpersonal relationships intersect with late-stage capitalism, especially on the Internet. Prior to the Reclaim Project, she researched the global response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the consequences of experiencing warfare through social media. Yana has also directed several award-winning short films and documentaries.

Chenyu Li is a graduate student in Communication Data Science, having previously earned an undergraduate degree in Data Journalism. She has a keen interest in storytelling and is dedicated to giving a voice to marginalized communities through data-driven narratives and visualization. She is interested in science communication and fandom research.

Lillian Zunrou Lin is a multimedia filmmaker pursuing her bachelor's degree at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. With years of success in experience design, themed installations, mixed media film production, and creative producing, Lillian is motivated to dissect and affirm humanity through both emerging technologies and traditional storytelling.

A bicultural artist born in Xiamen, China, raised in Southern California, and based in Los Angeles, Lillian is an adventurer with deep passions for nature and diverse cultures. Lillian serves as a Design & Strategy fellow in the Reclaim Project.

Sophie Sullivan is a Silicon Valley native and a second-year journalism student at the University of Southern California. She joined the Reclaim research team last June. Since then, she’s joined the masthead of a daily college newsletter, begun producing a pod on ethical tech and started anchoring the Monday night news.

Kyle Ching is a researcher for the Reclaim Project’s Scholarly Research Team. He is originally from Honolulu, Hawaii and is currently a sophomore at the University of Southern California. Kyle is studying public policy with a specific interest in social media regulation, tax law, and affordable housing proposals. Kyle’s professional experience includes serving as a development intern for the Urban Land Institute and a legislative intern for Hawaii State Senator Stanley Chang. He is also passionate about mental health and APIDA-related issues, and serves as the Mental Health Center Assistant for USC’s Asian Pacific American Student Services.

Dane brings a rich blend of philosophical insight and economic analysis to the examination of misinformation. His ability to scrutinize the ethical dimensions and economic impacts of misinformation enriches our project with comprehensive, thoughtful analyses. By focusing on the broader implications for both consumers and markets, Dane highlights the critical need for integrating ethical considerations into economic policies and digital strategies. His contributions are crucial in fostering a more ethical, informed approach to addressing misinformation.

Ife Olarewaju is a second-year Film Production student at the University of Southern California who hails from Lagos, Nigeria. Ife joined the research team in January 2024 and conducted research on the formation of new masculinities especially in digital contexts. Ife is especially interested in questions of how aesthetics and fashion become implicated in the politics of gender.

Cooper merges his knowledge in computer science with biophysics to provide a distinctive interdisciplinary perspective on combating misinformation. His sensitivity to the nuances of political discourse, combined with a structured problem-solving approach, enriches our team's understanding of misinformation's propagation through society. Cooper's analytical skills are instrumental in dissecting the complex interplay between science, politics, and misinformation, offering innovative solutions to mitigate its spread.

Jason's passion for computer science and gaming brings a fresh, innovative approach to our project. By leveraging his technical expertise and creative vision, he explores how gamification can make the complex issue of political misinformation more accessible and engaging. Jason's work is pivotal in developing interactive simulations that not only educate but also deeply engage users, demonstrating the potential of games to foster a nuanced understanding of misinformation's impact on society.

Melinda's deep understanding of political economy and law is key to navigating the legal challenges associated with digital misinformation. Her commitment to finding a balance between protecting free expression and combating false information is central to our project. By focusing on the confluence of technology, law, and politics, Melinda works to formulate legal frameworks and policy solutions that are effective yet respectful of democratic values and electoral integrity. Her vision for robust legal strategies against misinformation is instrumental in guiding our project towards meaningful impact.

Sophia's dual expertise in intelligence operations and media studies offers a powerful lens through which to view misinformation and information warfare. Her in-depth studies of Russian troll farms and Cambridge Analytica provide invaluable insights into the mechanisms of modern propaganda and disinformation campaigns. By merging technical cybersecurity knowledge with an understanding of media narratives, Sophia devises strategic countermeasures against misinformation, contributing significantly to our efforts to protect democratic integrity and public discourse.

Dane brings a rich blend of philosophical insight and economic analysis to the examination of misinformation. His ability to scrutinize the ethical dimensions and economic impacts of misinformation enriches our project with comprehensive, thoughtful analyses. By focusing on the broader implications for both consumers and markets, Dane highlights the critical need for integrating ethical considerations into economic policies and digital strategies. His contributions are crucial in fostering a more ethical, informed approach to addressing misinformation.