Hi! My name is Isha and I am a rising junior in the College of Arts & Sciences majoring in Biology of Global Health. While I grew up in the suburbs of NYC for most of my life, I lived in Singapore for 4 of those years. This summer, I will be researching failed single-stranded annealing events in drosophila under the guidance of Dr. Jan LaRocque. 

Hello everyone. My name is Samantha and I am junior in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. I am pursuing a major in International Politics and a minor in Cognitive Science. I am originally from Connecticut. In my free time, I enjoy reading realistic fiction novels and going on walks. For my research summer, my faculty mentored project was titled African American Resiliency in the British Caribbean and I conducted research under Professor Anita Gonzalez of the American American Studies Department at Georgetown. The project focused on Cat Island, one of the out islands in The Bahamas, and explored the culture of Cat Island by mapping the island’s foodways, music traditions, and histories. Research methods included conducting oral interviews with local residents of Cat Island and participating in cultural practices. Ultimately, the project examined how Bahamian culture reflects the resiliency of Black populations that have survived forced migration and enslavement in the Caribbean. For my Leadership-in-Action project, I worked at Yahad - in Unum in Paris, France. The nonprofit is dedicated to investigating mass atrocities through interviewing witnesses and examining the sites of mass graves. Currently, Yahad has ongoing investigations in Eastern Europe, Guatemala, Iraq, and Ukraine. Additionally, the organization prioritizes genocide education. My independent project is dedicated to creating a Holocaust education workshop in collaboration with a museum in South Africa.

Hi There! I am Sharon, a rising junior studying Business and Global Affairs at Georgetown University. I am minoring in statistics and planning on pursuing a career in international development, with a specific focus on bridging the aid-development gap to mitigate protracted displacement around the world.  For my Laidlaw research project, I am working with Professor Christi Smith of Georgetown University's Institute for the Study of International Migration to study the phenomenon of increasing Consulting publications and work on migration and refugee integration-related issues. I aim to explore how the emergence of a new organizational form in the refugee services space might shift the course of refugee incorporation during a time of increasing forced migration and rising political polarization, and its potential policy implications. Our study analyzes 24 publicly available consulting reports using mixed methods to identify prominent and distinguishable patterns and themes. We are also conducting interviews with consultants to explore the internal and external factors contributing to these themes. By contrasting these findings with those from the public sector and NGOs, we aim to highlight different approaches to migration and refugee issues. In my free time, I like to dance (my faves are Chinese Folk and Classical Dances!), watch TV shows, and spend quality time with my siblings! I love food and are always excited to try out new cuisines! I believe that nonverbal and nonwritten communication, including all performance art and culinary practices, are powerful ways to build connections and enhance cross-cultural appreciation and dynamism.   One fun fact about me is that I am an identical twin. My sister, Susan (got our name from The Parent Trap lol) also attends Georgetown University and studies Human Science on the pre-med track.  Would love to connect with anyone interested in discussing anything in the realm of social and political science or on their journey exploring their faith as I am, so don't hesitate to reach out :)

Hello, my name is Austin Huang, and I am a rising sophomore in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown. I am majoring in International Politics, with minors in Asian Studies and Chinese. As a part of the Laidlaw Programme, I am excited by the chance to engage with other students from across the world and learn from their unique, valuable perspectives. Getting the opportunity to hear from such diverse scholars is especially exciting, and I can't wait see the depth and breadth of work that my fellow scholars have been doing! My own interests lie in Asia-Pacific policy, both within the region and how it interacts with the rest of the world. I am particularly interested in how the relationship between the US and China impacts the region, as well as how different models and systems of governance in the region influences political dynamics. I look forward to being a Laidlaw Scholar, and having access to a wide network of talented and diverse scholars to learn and grow from. 

Colleen manages the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme at Georgetown University. Through her work, Colleen aims to increase accessibility in fellowships advising for all Georgetown students with a special focus on reflective practices intended to help students identify and develop personal and career goals. Prior to joining Georgetown University, Colleen served as the Assistant Director for Early Career Initiatives with NASPA- Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, where she managed professional development programs for undergraduate student, graduate student, and new professional members. Colleen holds a master’s degree in Student Development in Higher Education from the University of Maine and bachelor’s degrees in Women and Gender Studies and Anthropology from the University of Delaware.