Hi! I'm Humna, a third-year Geology student at Imperial College London. I'm originally from Pakistan and moved to London for university. After three years exploring everything from volcanoes to critical minerals, I'm now starting my master's, specialising in Mining Engineering and Design.
For my first-year research project, I looked at whether we could store large amounts of carbon dioxide in saline aquifers beneath the North Sea. It brought together geology, sustainability, policy, economics, and infrastructure planning to explore one big question: how can we safely lock away the carbon we've already emitted? As we work towards net zero, reducing emissions is only part of the solution—we also need ways to deal with the CO₂ that's already in the atmosphere.
This summer, I'll be heading to the Pilbara region of Western Australia for my Leadership-in-Action project, where I'll be working with Indigenous communities and researchers at ANU's Rio Tinto Centre for Future Materials. I'll be diving into Native Title and UNDRIP, helping facilitate community workshops, and co-producing a short documentary to support research that's genuinely informed by First Nations voices as demand for critical minerals continues to grow. It's a mix of mining, policy, storytelling, and spending a lot of time listening (which is probably the most important part).
Outside of geology, I'm always up for conversations about climate, science communication, widening participation, the Laidlaw experience—or anything you're passionate about. One of my favourite things about this community is getting to meet people with completely different interests and backgrounds, so if you'd like to chat, collaborate, or just say hello, I'd love to hear from you!
Hello! I am a first year undergraduate student at Durham University studying Modern European Languages and Cultures, including advanced Spanish and ab initio Italian.
I believe that the intersection between languages and culture, politics and peacebuilding is hugely important in a multicultural but increasingly divided world. I am therefore passionate about using my skills for good, especially through my research project into ethical and compassionate immigration policy.
I'm really excited to work alongside the 2026 scholars!
I am Faiza Malak, currently a law student at Durham University. I am excited to be commencing my research this summer and look forward to sharing updates with the network on both the breadth and depth of my work and experiences. Stay tuned!
Hi!
I’m Katya, a third-year English and French student at the University of Leeds and part of the 2025/26 Laidlaw Scholar cohort. I am currently an Events and Marketing Intern at the Laidlaw Foundation.
My research project topic in 2025 was titled ‘Distinctiveness in the Poetry Activity of the Leeds City Region’. I worked in partnership with the National Poetry Centre to conduct interviews with key stakeholders in the poetry scene, which enabled me to draw conclusions about the levels of connectivity and accessibility in Leeds's poetry scene.
In the second year of the programme, I completed my LiA in Auckland, New Zealand, volunteering as a Community Engagement and Media Intern at Youth Arts New Zealand to amplify youth creativity through storytelling and community engagement.
I’m originally from Russia but moved to Slovenia for political reasons when I was 15, then to the UK at 19, and just completed an academic year abroad in Canada, so I’ve had a fair share of adapting to new places. Moving countries meant leaving behind everything I knew, including eight years of acrobatic gymnastics, but it also helped me become more open to change. I see each new chapter as a chance to grow, connect, and tell meaningful stories.
Outside of uni, you’ll probably find me at the gym (a post-acrobatics obsession), with my nose in a book, or planning my next trip—I’ve been to 36 countries so far and don’t plan on slowing down!
Hello! I've directed the Laidlaw Scholars Program at Brown University since 2023. I care deeply about lifting up the next generation of leaders, change-makers, and engaged scholars to create a more just and equitable world. My PhD is in U.S. History and Gender Studies with a focus on families, childhood and youth. Send me a message if you'd like to connect!
My Clifton Strengths are: Achiever, Relator, Strategic, Learner, Individualization
Hi! My name is Naziba and I am from Bangladesh, but currently in Hong Kong for my undergraduate studies at The University of Hong Kong where I study Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.
Besides my academics, I am a very passionate teacher who enjoys making high school science feel more interesting and less taxing. I also love watching movies with my cats and taking nature walks with my friends.
I am excited to start my Laidlaw research journey this year under the Faculty of Health and Medicine at University of Leeds . I am really looking forward to making friends in the Laidlaw community so feel free to reach out in my DMs if you wish to connect!
Hello! I'm Sonia, a student of Political Science and Economics at Trinity College Dublin. I'm also a 2026 Laidlaw Scholar.
In research and in real life, my main interest is how the traumas of the past affect the wellbeing of people in the present. War, structural discrimination and communal violence rarely conclude at appointed historical end dates, but persist in the daily realities of communities for decades. The impacts are often invisible and difficult to quantify, such as chronic stress, sectarianism and complex national identity.
My Summer 1 research examines the modern-day impacts of Ireland's revolutionary past. In the 1920s, over 275 Irish country houses were burned in conflicts over land, religion, class and politics. I will interview members of the tight-knit rural communities where the burnings occurred. My objective is to understand how that legacy of violence impacts people's sense of belonging.
I hope to connect with fellow Scholars and alumni. Especially if you have an interest in conflict, peacebuilding or memory politics, get in touch!
Hi everyone! I am a sophomore at Tufts University in Boston, studying biology and environmental science. I am originally from Cape Town, South Africa, and attended high school in Louisiana. This summer, I am working in Tanzania on a coral restoration project, conducting my own experiment to identify which coral species will be most resilient during this year's El Niño and rising sea temperatures. I will also be exploring how to make the coral gardening process more cost-effective and accessible to coastal East African fishing communities.
Hello! I'm Hani, a rising junior studying Mechanical Engineering at New York University Abu Dhabi.
Hello! I'm Thomas, a student of Modern Languages (French) and English at the University of Leeds.
I have just carried out my Summer Research Period on Professor Nina Wardleworth's project: 'Telling the Stories of Colonial Populations in the French Resistance through Self-Guided Heritage Walking Tours'. Having completed this project, I am increasingly interested in a career in government or the civil service, particularly in areas related to culture, heritage, and social inclusion.
As of now, I'm currently on my year abroad in the Loire-Atlantique, France, working as an English Language Assistant with the British Council. My other academic interests include language pedagogy, educational equity and French literature. Outside of my studies, I enjoy running, reading and travelling!
Feel free to reach out if any of this resonates with your own research or interests :)
Hi! My name is Katya and I am a BSc Biosciences student at Durham University.
This summer I am excited to be completing my project on the effect of dopamine transport on the memory of fruit flies. I will be looking at how removing the dopamine transporter from a memory relevant area of the brain has an effect on the ability of the flies to form and retain associative memories.
When I’m not researching, I enjoy playing sports such as tennis, table tennis, netball, and running, and I also love playing music on piano, guitar and flute. I’m really excited to be part of the 2026 Laidlaw Cohort, so feel free to reach out to me with any questions or if you just fancy a chat!
Emily Yu is a rising sophomore at Harvard College studying Chemistry with a secondary in Sociology. She calls Boston, Massachusetts her home and is proud to be part of the family that is the inaugural class of Laidlaw scholars at Harvard!
Before college, Emily was often knee-deep in case problems and Latin phrases as the captain of her mock trial team. As part of her love for public service, Emily interned in the office of the Honourable Patti B. Saris and MA's Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, gleaning wisdom from observing trials, reading opinions and Statehouse bills, and compiling and presenting a comparative study of workforce services across four states.
In addition to researching in college, Emily writes for The Harvard Crimson and is tapped into the many mentorship networks across campus as a Peer Advising Fellow and First-year Outdoor Program leader.
Through Laidlaw, Emily hopes to bring her research and understanding of colorectal cancer studies and treatment to new heights and depths. The intersections between law and new technology is something Emily is constantly exploring, whether it be through possible career paths or a casual conversation.
Outside of work, Emily loves trying out new styles of dance, playing around on the piano, dissecting movies, and wrapping her head around interesting would-you-rathers. She is always open to chat for anything at all!!