Hey everyone! My name is Rinaz Jamal, and I'm a rising sophomore at Columbia University majoring in Neuroscience & Behavior. I am passionate about helping individuals with mental health and neurodegenerative disorders feel seen, heard, and supported. This summer, I will be doing research at the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute under the supervision of Dr. Franck Polleux. My project aims to understand the activity-dependent regulation of mitochondrial protein expression in parvalbumin-positive interneurons, which are among the first neurons to fail in Alzheimer's disease (AD). I am excited to add to the scholarly conversation around Alzheimer's research by identifying the molecular pathways that would be most valuable to target for drug development in the future. Because PV-INs are among the first neurons to fail in AD, understanding these metabolic pathways and restoring levels of mitochondrial proteins has the potential to improve clinical outcomes much earlier in AD progression than current methods. At Columbia, I am involved as a Scientific Review Editor for Grey Matters, our undergraduate neuroscience journal; Blog Editor for the Journal of Global Health; Conference Committee member and Peer Buddy for Columbia Synapse, which advocates for patients with acquired brain injury; and volunteer with Brain Exercise Initiative, where I visit patients with Alzheimer's disease and dementia at a local assisted living home. I also play flute and piccolo in the Columbia University Orchestra. In my free time, I love to read and explore New York City. Please feel free to reach out; I would love to get to know you all!

Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Melody Matavire is a prospective Physics and Data Science major with a deep passion for both STEM and social impact. While science and technology shape much of my academic interests, I have also become increasingly aware of the social challenges that continue to affect communities and shape people’s lives in lasting ways. One issue that is especially close to my heart is early teen pregnancy and school dropouts. Growing up, I witnessed how situations like these can alter the trajectory of young people’s futures, particularly for girls whose educational opportunities become limited long before they are able to fully explore their potential. Through the Laidlaw Scholars Programme, I hope to research how comprehensive sexual education can be used as a practical and culturally relevant tool to address early teen pregnancies and reduce school dropout rates.  Beyond academics and research, I enjoy exploring new experiences, asking too many questions, and finding connections between science, society, and everyday life, otherwise you can also find me in the kitchen cooking whilst singing.

Hi! I'm Kritvi, currently a rising sophomore at Barnard College of Columbia University intending to major in Economics and Mathematics. Having experienced educational and economic systems in India, the UK, and the United States, I've become fascinated by the factors that drive economic development. My interests lie in development economics, particularly how technology can address inequality and support sustainable growth in developing countries. I enjoy exploring questions at the intersection of economics, data, and social impact.

Hi! My name is Maitree and I'm a rising sophomore at Barnard College of Columbia University. I'm part of Barnard's 2026 Laidlaw Scholars Cohort and I'm excited to be pursuing macroeconomics research in monetary policy and housing affordability. As an Economics and Computer Science major, I enjoy patterns and logic. I like to connect real-world events with theoretical concepts which fuels my passion for research. I'm a curious and driven student, keen on making an impact and answering a meaningful question through my Laidlaw project. 

Hi! My name is Chloe Lee and I am a incoming sophomore at Barnard College of Columbia University studying Political Science and Human Rights with aspirations to eventually go to law school. I am interested in voting rights, international human rights, intersectional feminist theory, and the intersection between law and business!  This summer I will be conducting research on Asian American voter behavior and the barriers that shape civic engagement for the Asian American community in Queens, Texas, and Georgia. With the supervision of my mentor Professor Chen, I look forward to learning about the lived experiences and geographic comparisons that will help me understand how barriers influence eligible voters.

I'm a Class of 2028 student at Barnard College of Columbia University in NYC. I am pursuing a combined major in Gender Studies and Human Rights. My degree is centered on feminist anthropology, with particular attention to gendered forms of violence and resistance in the occupied West Bank. In my free time, I study Hebrew (Yiddish next, I hope), explore museums, and cook with my friends. "Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On quiet days, I can hear her breathing." - Arundhati Roy

I am currently a junior at Barnard College of Columbia University studying Computational Biology with a minor in Economics. Through my coursework and research experiences, I have developed a strong foundation in data analysis, quantitative modeling, and computational approaches to complex biological and social systems. My background in economics has further shaped how I think about resource allocation, structural inequality, and policy impacts at scale. I am particularly interested in applying data science and computational methods to questions in public health, migration, environmental justice, and global health systems. Much of my work focuses on how large-scale systems, whether healthcare infrastructure, environmental conditions, or social policy, shape health outcomes for marginalized populations. I am especially drawn to research involving spatial analysis, longitudinal datasets, and health data infrastructure, as well as projects that bridge technical analysis with real-world policy and community impact.