I'm a student at the University of Toronto interested in neurological and ocular health, immunological mechanisms and self-immunity, as well as innovations and leadership within health care. I look to empower the aspiring youth through limitless, accessible education, and foster positive change in our dynamic reality!

The Laidlaw Scholarship Programme in Research and Leadership is sponsored by a generous donation from The Rt Hon Lord Laidlaw of Rothiemay, an honorary graduate of the University. This exciting programme equips students with the skills and values to become the leaders of tomorrow in their chosen discipline and beyond University. Over two years Scholars complete a bespoke, intensive leadership training programme. In addition, they participate in two periods of research during which they work on designing, pursuing and reporting a research question in collaboration with an academic in their chosen School. This programme is open to undergraduate students in their penultimate year of study. Please see the Laidlaw website for more information at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/go/laidlaw

I’m a proud care-experienced Neuroscientist. My research focuses on how serotonin and psychedelics shape neuroplasticity in brain regions greatly affected by early-life adversity. In my experiments, I measure how well brain cells can talk to each other during natural serotonin release and following the administration of classic psychedelics (e.g., magic mushrooms). Care-experienced young people represent one of the largest untapped STEM talent pools in the UK. They have all the potential required to succeed and yet, they are still eight times less likely to enrol in university and choose a STEM subject. Care-experienced young people don’t lack talent, they lack the opportunities to unlock it. In my early 20s, I migrated to the UK in search of a brighter future, when I still couldn't speak the language. During my time in care, I struggled at school and didn’t do well academically. But the Foundation Programme at Durham University gave me the chance to catch up and build the confidence I needed. Four years later, I graduated at Durham as the top student in my cohort - with an average mark of over 80%. Only when potential meets opportunity talent can thrive. Driven by this belief, I founded WISHFULICIOUS to give children in care and care-experienced young people the opportunity to see that STEM isn’t just for “someone else” - it’s for them too. To start-up this initiative, I’ve baked and sold cookies, run a small online fundraising campaign, and am now part of the The CareLeaders Fellowship where I’m working to lay the foundation for delivering our first STEM programme. If you share this mission or simply want to help open doors for care-experienced people, I’d love to connect and hear from you!

I was an undergraduate scholar at Tufts University from 2019-2021, and am now a master's student in medieval studies at Yale University. My research for Laidlaw focused on the English Investiture Controversy, a 12th century conflict between English King Henry I and Pope Paschal II, and an important predecessor to the English Reformation. I'm passionate about the way historical politics and diplomacy can inform modern policy, and also the way power is created, cemented, and used by ruling elite. I also have a deep interest in broadening the scope of history. Instead of focusing on one time and place, I want to develop broad connections across cultures to understand both the human condition and the trends of human civilization. No historical event was inevitable, and comparative history is essential to understanding how and why certain cultures have come to dominate others. This, in turn, is essential to dismantling the power structures which remain today, and creating a more equitable world.

I'm currently a biology major on the premed track, but I'm also interested in public health. Research-wise, I am very interested in the field of immunology, especially autoimmunity. I wish to study the mechanisms behind autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Type I diabetes. I have worked in several research laboratories in the past: studying inflammatory responses in zebrafish, using biophysical tools to look at the structure of RNA molecules, and most recently, I'm doing work-study as a research assistant at Columbia's Morphogenesis and Developmental Biomechanics lab.

Hello! I am a multidisciplinary designer and have been with the Laidlaw Foundation for over five years, working to strengthen our global Scholar community and amplify the impact of our programmes. My work lives somewhere between design, education, and anthropology, usually with sticky notes involved. I studied Human Sciences as an undergrad and am currently doing a Master’s in Anthropology at UCL. Degrees I struggle to explain at parties. Born and raised in Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 Outside of work? Probably in the ceramics studio, wandering aimlessly with a podcast in my ears, attempting a handstand, or watching far too much TV. Big fan of nature and very small bugs.