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!! 

I am a second-year student at Harvard College double concentrating in Chemistry and Economics, driven by a desire to explore how scientific innovation and economic structures must align to expand global access to medicine. This summer, as a member of Harvard's inaugural Laidlaw Scholar cohort, I am conducting faculty-mentored research in the Richard Liu Group, focusing on the design and synthesis of light-activated molecules (photocages) to improve the efficiency of drug delivery in water. Through the Laidlaw program, I am combining this rigorous laboratory research with leadership development and an upcoming international Leadership-in-Action project, all to build a foundation for a career bridging the pharmaceutical, biotech, and finance sectors.  Beyond my research, I love exploring foreign languages, skiing, and traveling. I am also an avid sports fan and player, particularly when it comes to volleyball and soccer (football). I look forward to connecting with fellow Scholars who are passionate about combining scientific discovery with leadership to drive real-world healthcare and economic solutions.

Ellis Schroeder is a student at Harvard from Atlanta, Georgia, passionate about health equity. He is studying anthropology alongside art history, exploring how science and visual culture shape understandings of health, illness, and care. Before Harvard, he led the nonprofit DermaTeens and various initiatives for skin cancer prevention and health equity across Atlanta, working with city government and public health officials to install IMPACT Melanoma sunscreen dispensers, promote access to preventative healthcare and sun safety, and educate youth on skin health. He advises the first National Skin Cancer Prevention Youth Council, an initiative he founded, and mentors youth across the country on public health community impact projects. At Harvard, Ellis researches LGBTQ+ population health, eating disorder epidemiology, and medical sociology. Inspired to understand the growing mistrust in healthcare and science in a post-COVID-19 world, as a Laidlaw Scholar, he researches how LGBTQ+ young adults come to trust or distrust healthcare systems, using mixed methods to trace how real experiences shape engagement with care and impact health outcomes. Ellis hopes to pursue a career in medicine and public health leadership.

I'm a second-year at Harvard College concentrating in Neuroscience with a secondary in Psychology, on a pre-med track. My research at Massachusetts General Hospital focuses on cerebrovascular diseases and the early detection of Alzheimer's Disease. As a member of Harvard's inaugural Laidlaw Scholar cohort, I'm combining faculty-mentored independent research with leadership development through Oxford's Ethical Leadership Programme and an international Leadership-in-Action project — all in service of becoming a physician-leader who approaches healthcare with both scientific rigor and ethical grounding. A core conviction of mine is that lifestyle and nutrition are underutilized tools in chronic disease prevention. I hold a Plant-Based Nutrition Certification from eCornell, serve as Treasurer of Harvard Undergraduate Plant-Based, and am a Fellow of Harvard's Food Literacy Project. Outside academics, I'm a Board Member and Company Dancer with the Harvard Ballet Company, continuing a 13-year classical ballet background. I also founded Taylor Bears Inc., a DFW-based 501(c)(3) that donates teddy bears to children at Cook Children's Medical Center and supports pediatric cardiovascular units. Looking forward to connecting with fellow Scholars who are thinking boldly about science, leadership, and meaningful impact.

Hi! My name is Leslie and I am currently at student at Georgetown University in Qatar, majoring in International Economics. I am passionate about many subject areas including African Politico-Economy, Climate Change, Mental Health and many more! This summer, with the help of Prof Mendenhall from GU and Dr. Bosire from Aga Khan University in Kenya, I will be conducting research that explores ways in which climate related events like flooding affect the wellbeing of residents of informal settlements in Kibera, Kenya. 

Amylyn De Paz-De Paz is a student from western North Carolina and the daughter of immigrant pastors who instilled in her a deep commitment to service. From a young age, she has supported her community and led initiatives to expand access to education via tutoring programs, interpreting, and programming. At Duke University, she continues this work through her involvement with DukeEngage, Bass Connections, Duke Campus Farm, LangDorm, HelpDesk, Duke RAM, InventHers, Duke Mi Gente, and other programs. She is also a Coleman Family Ventures Fellow, an experience she is especially grateful for as it has allowed her to further develop her passion for a career in pediatrics and language access in healthcare settings. For Amylyn, Duke and the Laidlaw Scholars program are catalysts for meaningful impact in the communities she cares about. She is proud to represent individuals who share her identity and experiences. To learn more about Amylyn’s journey, explore Duke’s premier student blog, “Trinity in Four Acts,” which follows her path throughout Duke and beyond.

Hello I'm Ameesha, I study BSc Sociology at LSE. I quite enjoy reading, and my favourite genres are historical fiction, postcolonial texts in West Asia and mystery thrillers. I have a specific developmental interest in child safety and sexual health.