Boyang Liu is a second-year student in the MARS-REERS program at the Harriman Institute. He received a BA from Claremont McKenna College, where he dual-majored in International Relations and Russian & East European Studies. Boyang’s academic interests include public opinion, digital authoritarianism, and international political economy. His master’s thesis examines public opinion towards Chinese FDI in Kazakhstan.  Boyang is also a marine mammal enthusiast. He can name all 33 species of pinnipeds, and his favorite is the Caspian seal.