Ren Smith is an undergraduate research fellow at the Center for Media Engagement. They are currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience at The University of Texas at Austin and are a member of the College of Natural Sciences Polymathic Scholars Honors Program. At the CME, their research interests include the role of social media in political affective polarization, how propaganda and mis/disinformation spread online, and what strategies can be put into place to mitigate this process.