From the very beginning, Chaytan Inman never saw coding as an end goal—it was a tool, a force shaping the digital world around him. He decided if he was going to study a force that shaped the world, he should probably study the world itself, too. Which is how he ended up studying international studies and French in addition to computer science during his undergraduate degree.
As an undergraduate student at the University of Washington, Inman founded and led Interactive Intelligence (I2), a club and research group on campus, and co-created an introductory neuroscience and artificial intelligence course. He developed a mobile application that allows users to try out popular machine-learning models and applied machine learning to kidney disease image classification while interning at the UW Institute Stem Cell Research and Medicine Center.
During his senior year, Inman ran for Governor of Washington State in 2024. He ran with one platform in mind—enshrining the rights of nature in the state constitution. He aimed to ensure the Pacific Northwest will “still have rain, trees, food and water” for the future.
“I knew it was a long shot, but I hoped that, at the very least, my opponents might pick up the idea and carry it forward.”
Running for office wasn’t a typical tech career move, but for Inman, it was the natural next step. He spent his senior year biking around town, knocking on doors and putting up posters. It was exhausting and exhilarating. However, it reinforced what he had always believed: technology, policy and the environment aren’t separate issues. They are all intertwined.
After completing his computer science degree, Inman wanted to do something meaningful and decided to try firefighting. He ended up working for the Department of Natural Resources in Washington during the summer before starting his master’s program. “Firefighting was more direct compared to computer science. The results were clear— put out a fire, protect people and nature,” Inman says. He developed a greater appreciation for firefighters and found this to be a rewarding and valuable experience.
Now Inman is a master’s student at the Jackson School of International Studies studying International Studies, where he can bridge his technical skills with his passion for change. His work is focused on something that lies at the intersection of technology and society—understanding how disinformation spreads. “Social media provides an unprecedented amount of data, and with the rise of large language models, we have powerful tools to analyze that data in ways we never could before,” Inman says. These same models’ power ChatGPT, but they can also be used to track how narratives evolve online—how ideas spread, how disinformation takes root and how harmful beliefs gain traction.
Chaytan Inman with his wildlife fighters during the summer.
Chaytan singing with his band.
His thesis focuses on tracing these patterns, using computational methods to analyze disinformation—like the false narrative that the 2020 election was a hoax. By identifying the mechanisms that allow these ideas to spread, he hopes to contribute to a better understanding of how disinformation “shapes” public opinion and what can be done to counter it.
Through his work, Inman is a finalist for the McCall MacBain Scholarship at McGill University and will travel to Montreal, Canada as a global finalist. He is among 36 international finalists chosen from thousands of candidates around the world. The selection process includes a university nomination and emphasizes holistic criteria, such as character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength and intellectual curiosity.
“It’s been a great experience meeting the other international candidates during interviews. I’m also excited to use my French minor while in Montreal,” Inman says.
During his visit to Canada, Inman will participate in interviews with leaders from academia, business, government and the social sector. A cohort of up to 30 McCall MacBain Scholars will be selected after final interviews. If not selected for the cohort, Inman will be eligible to receive C$20,000 for master’s studies at McGill.
From computer science to policy, firefighting to research—Inman has remained committed to using his skills for the greater good. Whether advocating for environmental rights, analyzing disinformation or engaging in hands-on service, his work reflects a deep belief in the power of technology, leadership and policy to shape a better future.
Inman continues to seek out ways to bridge disciplines, challenge the status quo, and inspire meaningful change. With his selection as a McCall MacBain Scholarship finalist, Inman’s impact is already being recognized on a global scale. No matter where his path leads next, Inman will approach it with a sense of benignity and focus on public good.
By Tatiana Rodriguez, UW Graduate School
Published on March 05, 2025