Alex was the Programme Director of the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme from September 2021 - May 2024.
Prior to joining the Laidlaw Foundation Alex spent over a decade at the University of St Andrews, Scotland, where he most recently managed the university’s Laidlaw Scholars Programme. In addition, Alex taught leadership courses and guest-lectured internationally on the subjects of strategy and leadership.
A bilingual speaker, dual national and keen traveller, Alex has lived, visited and worked in several countries around the world. During this time, he has had a unique opportunity to encounter and explore different cultures and working environments, experiencing first-hand what good leadership can achieve. His passion for this topic is driven by these experiences and a desire to challenge people to unlock their full leadership potential.
Alex holds an MBA from the Open University and a Master of Research in Management from the University of St Andrews. He has also obtained Associate Fellow status with the Higher Education Academy. In his spare time, Alex is an avid skier and volunteers with a local guide dog organisation.
As a junior double-majoring in Women's Menstrual Health and Computer Science, I've embarked on a path of self-discovery, delving into the complexities of women's health and its intricate connections to diverse cultures and dietary practices. My research delves into the cross-cultural implications of diet on women's menstrual health, aiming to shed light on the often-overlooked nuances of global health disparities.
Growing up amidst the vibrant tapestry of Iranian and American cultures, I developed a keen awareness of how lifestyle choices profoundly impact our overall health and well-being. Inspired by this realization, I aspires to make a positive impact on the women's health industry, bridging research gaps and mitigating the discrepancies that hinder advancements in this field.
My passion for menstrual health and nutrition led me to establish Aunt Flo's Kitchen, a startup dedicated to revolutionizing menstrual health through the creation of innovative snacks that naturally counteract the nutritional deficiencies causing period cramps. This entrepreneurial endeavor was born out of my research at the Laidlaw Scholars program, where I conducted an IRB-approved clinical trial under the supervision of Dr. Marla Lujan during my first summer.
My second summer at Samphire Neuroscience, a FemTech startup founded by visionary researchers from Harvard and Oxford, further reinforced my commitment to addressing the critical issue of women's health. At Samphire, I gained invaluable insights into the intersection of technology and women's health, solidifying my belief in the transformative power of innovation to improve the lives of women worldwide.
The Laidlaw Scholars program has played a pivotal role in shaping my life and career trajectory. It has instilled in me a deep sense of purpose, nurtured my entrepreneurial spirit, and equipped me with the tools necessary to make a meaningful impact on the lives of women. I am forever grateful for the transformative experience the Laidlaw program has provided, and I am committed to carrying forward its values of innovation, social impact, and community engagement as I pursue my passion for women's menstrual health and entrepreneurship.
The Laidlaw Program has truly changed my life, and I hope it does the same to other scholars reading this. I am always eager to lend a helping hand and am committed to providing support wherever it is needed, so please do not hesitate to reach me at aaj34@cornell.edu.
I am an undergraduate student at the University of Leeds studying BSc Environmental Science.
I am particularly interested in climate change - the science behind it and its impacts, biodiversity and ecology, and sustainable development.
I am also currently partaking in a Year in Industry placement at Network Rail working for the Environment and Sustainable Development team.
My Laidlaw Research was on the reintroduction of beavers in Scotland, looking at attitudes towards them and trying to understand why they are illegally killed. This particularly interested me as it is vital to understand local opinions on wildlife to succeed in reintroductions and rewilding schemes.
For my Laidlaw Leadership Development, I was lucky enough to spend a summer with Think Pacific on an Environment and Sustainable Development project in Fiji.
Outside of work and study, I enjoy food (cooking and eating it), as well as sports like powerlifting (which allow me to eat lots without any negatives!), and exploring new places and nature sites.
Hullo! I'm postgrad student in St Andrews reading Sustainable Development with a focus on urban planning. My bachelor's degree at Durham centred around Chinese & French language, culture, and literature, which I'm still involved with on the side, along with photography and Continental & Eastern philosophy.
Hello my name is Megan and I am a University of Leeds scholar, currently studying abroad at Lund University, Sweden! This summer I completed my independent Leadership-in-Action placement at the non-profit Sharing Excess, in Philadelphia. It is a food rescue organisation and I worked in the distribution team helping to deliver the rescued food to people in need. Last summer, I completed my research project with Bite Back 2030, looking at the negative effects of delivery apps on young people's health and trying to come up with ways to minimise this through legislation.
I am a Natural Sciences student at UCL specialising in physical chemistry and physics. My first year Laidlaw research project was on the ionisation of pyrimidine. My second-year leadership in action project was working with Bite Back – a youth-led movement to create a healthier and fairer food system.
Hello! I was Laidlaw scholar in 2019, and I studied national, regional, and local identity in northern Tajikistan through the lens of women's fashion. For a year after graduating, I worked for the UN Mine Action Service which removes landmines from conflict and post-conflict regions. I then worked for the Laidlaw Foundation 2021-22 and completed a Master's Degree in Anthropology and Development Management at the London School of Economics. Now I'm working with the UN on innovative finance for biodiversity conservation, focusing on marine ecosystems.
Please feel free to reach out on the network, on LinkedIn, or by email. I'm always happy to meet new people and chat.
I'm currently 2/6th of the way to becoming a doctor 👩🏻⚕️
Studying medicine at The University of St Andrews means not only a great uni but also beautiful surroundings.
I have interests in: lifestyle medicine, psychiatry, infectious diseases and emergency medicine.
My dream is to become an expedition medic.
Ask me what I'm reading just now
I love to wild swim 🏊🏻♀️, wanna go?
I'm an environmental scientist from Dublin, Ireland. My primary interest is in vegetation-climate interactions, feedbacks and tipping points and vegetation resilience to climate change. I have developed skills in and an understanding of global dynamic vegetation models, while carrying out an internship at the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry. There I assisted with the integration of new plant hydraulics module into the DGVM QUINCY. I intend to develop foundational skills in machine learning with the aim to integrate remote sensing, machine learning and DGVM's.
This webpage is no longer maintained.
Hello!! My name is Vedika Jha (Vay-dih-ka), my pronouns are she/her, and I am going into 2nd year at University of Toronto! My first research project focused on the genetic factors contributing to cerebral palsy, a common disorder. My second research project explored patient perspectives on privacy and trust in digital genomic tools. However I am more broadly interested in Molecular Genetics, Evolutionary Biology, and Climate Change! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or just to talk :)
I'm an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto double majoring in Neuroscience and Visual Arts.
For my Laidlaw research project, I joined the Iscove lab in the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre to characterize the cell surface antigens on leukemic stem cells in a HOXB4-transgene-dependent leukemia model maintained in mice.
In the future, I am interested in working on research projects that combine neurobiology and immunology.
I am a Lester B Pearson Scholar going into my second year at University of Toronto and am planning to major in International Relations and Environmental Studies. My Laidlaw research centers on bison restoration efforts in the North American west, exploring the approaches various actors take to restoration in Alberta and Montana. I hope this can shed light on the landscape for current bison restoration efforts and issues that might arise in wildlife restoration. This past year I have enjoyed participating in Mock Trial, Moot Court, and the UofT History Society, and I look forward to learn and growing this summer with the Laidlaw Programme.
I am a rising junior interested in evolutionary biology, vertebrate paleontology, and evolution. The majority of my interests and experience have been focusing on archosaurs, a group which among other animals includes birds, dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and crocodiles. I would like to tackle larger questions such as how to identify species in fossil taxa through quantifying variation in living groups of organisms. I have been interning at the American Museum of Natural History in Ornithology and then in Vertebrate Paleontology over the past three years. I also participated in an independent research project studying a Spinosaurid maxilla from the Kem Kem beds of Morocco.
My name is Elena Chatrchyan (she/her) and I am an incoming third year student, studying International Agriculture and Rural Development at Cornell University. My concentration at school is in Economics and Development and I am also minoring in Business. My research is about current soil health initiatives in Armenia, what farmers know about soil health and what do they do to manage and actively improve soil health. Ultimately, with this research I am going to be developing a soil health roadmap for Armenia. I chose this research topic because I find soils really interesting and have been actively working with soils for the past year. Healthy soil is going to be the key to not only adapt to climate change but help us mitigate it as well, making soils extremely important to study.
I am from Ithaca, New York in the United States. When I'm not studying/working, I like to ski in the winter and swim in the summer! I also love all types of music. When I have a lot of extra time, I like baking and cooking.
Ask me about anything I've said above. Like most people, I love talking about my hobbies, studies and work. That being said, I'd love to connect with any other Scholars! I love learning about other peoples hobbies, and work, especially those belonging to my fellow scholars!
Hello, my name is Michael. I'm the programme manager of an environmental NGO in the West of Ireland called Cuan Beo.
My Laidlaw research investigated factors contributing to the transmission of avian influenza to farmed poultry. And I completed my Leadership in Action project with Think Pacific on the Environment & Sustainability programme in Rarabasaga, Fiji. I'm delighted to remain a part of the Laidlaw community and am as excited as ever to get to know many of you! My current research interests are in marine restoration, and community and political engagement.
I'm a medical student at the University of York interested in immunology, public health, as well as education and leadership within health care! My research project is about understanding how mutations in immune cells impact a certain group of rare bone marrow disorders (MPNs) that can lead to cancer.
Hi, my name is Lydia Haines and I am a second year undergraduate student, studying biology, at the University of York. For my research project I looked at mutations in inflammasome components that are associated with Multiple Sclerosis. For my leadership in action project, I spent 6 weeks on a health promotion project in Jubairata village, Fiji with Think Pacific.
