Baxter Speed is a first-year student in the MARS-REERS program at the Harriman Institute. Prior to joining the Columbia community, he graduated from Cornell University, where he received a BA in History and a minor in Russian. His research interests mainly concern the experiences and cultural memories of people in post-Soviet countries, particularly in Russia, Albania, Georgia, and Tajikistan. While still exploring different career paths, Baxter loves opportunities that allow him to share stories from all walks of life.