Ciao! I am Gio, a fourth-year student of Economics and Political Science at the University of Toronto. I hail from the country of Georgia, nestled between Europe and Asia, with a millenia-old culture and history. This Summer I am immersing myself in a small coastal town in Northern Japan to work together with local students in uncovering societal impacts of marine climate change. Global warming is a generational challenge and its effects are highly varied from community to community across the globe. I hope to engage in discussions with my fellow students in Japan and facilitate a series of ArcGIS workshops in order to map the implications of climate change on Sanriku coast. I would love to have a chat, especially if you also like food, geography, or world history!

2024/25 Laidlaw Scholar Psychology Student  Interested in Experimental and Cognitive Neuroscience  Title Project: Unravelling the Age-Related Dynamics of Facial Recognition

I am an Applied Math major, but I am also interested in Physics and Cognitive Science. I love Broadway musicals, theatre, and art. In terms of sport, my favorite one for both doing and watching is swimming and diving!

I am a final year undergraduate at Trinity College, Oxford. I am reading Philosophy, Politics and Economics, with a particular interest in global politics and international relations.

I am a penultimate year undergraduate at Brasenose College, the University of Oxford. I study Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.

Hello there! I'm a third-year student in Conservation and Biodiversity at the University of Toronto Scarborough campus. My passion for biology stems from research on pollination, insects and biodiversity at my school's gardens since I was seven-years-old. Now, I intend to continue to pursue passion this with a project that has an impact in disadvantaged communities from my home country, Colombia.  I will be studying the pollination networks of cacao trees, which is crucial to contribute to agroforestry systems in tropical Latin America, so that they are a sustainable and productive opportunity for smallholder farmers that want to restore forest areas. On a side note, I'm a curious person by nature and that's why I like to do and learn lots of things. So whether you are interested in my project or not, feel free to reach out! I believe that there are no boundaries when collaborating interdisciplinary. For example, research on cacao trees not only spans biology. There is ongoing anthropological research that is trying to figure out how cocoa got from the Amazon (its biological origin) to Mexico! 

My name is Diya Asawa (she/her) and I was born in India. I've lived in India, the Netherlands, and the UK, and I now study Biomedical Sciences at UCL. For my first summer Laidlaw research project, I investigated methods for improving the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea & vomiting in paediatric patients affected by cancer. The project was based at the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London. The study involves the analysis of interviews with the parents of patients at GOSH to understand how healthcare professionals can improve the side effect symptoms of patients and develop medicines that are more child-friendly. For my six-week Leadership-in-Action project in Mumbai, India, I volunteered as a teaching assistant at the Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil School in Sion, Mumbai, to support underprivileged students facing poverty and child abuse. I supported a Grade 3 classroom of 40 students, teaching Maths, English, and General Studies through interactive lessons, creative writing, reading activities, problem-solving tasks, and skills workshops based on the school’s curriculum.  In my free time, I love writing, singing, going on long walks/hikes, listening to music, and meeting new people. I'm super excited to be involved with the Laidlaw programme and would love to connect especially if you've got similar interests so feel free to reach out :)

Hi there 👋 I'm Neha Gupta, a fourth year student at the University of Toronto.  I'm interested in the law, peace-making, diplomacy and human rights.  My Summer I project looked at how paediatric oncology patients in nations with universal healthcare plans access psychosocial support. In Summer II, I hope to work with an organization to give marginalized communities (particularly women) the institutional support they need to stand up to injustices they face.  My Summer II LiA had me working with United Women Singapore to promote their women in STEM and women's empowerment initiatives. I focused on story-telling, digital communication and community building. 

Active programmer very interested in science and solving global problems.

Hi Laidlaw community :) I'm Christina, a third-year Vietnamese-Canadian Public Policy & Political Science student at UofT. My work at Laidlaw involves using mixed methodologies to reveal service gaps in Canada's universal healthcare system. My current project combines policy analysis & quantitative methods to advocate for the expansion of abortion rights in Canada's healthcare system and beyond. I argue that provincial jurisdictional authority can restrict access for politically contentious medical services, and that the solution requires intergovernmental cooperation across all levels of government. In addition to my work with Laidlaw scholars, this year I worked with the United Nation's Space Generation Advisory Council and Luxembourg Space Agency to provide a prescriptive review of life on the moon 30 years from now. I also work on the FINCH satellite design team at the University of Toronto Aerospace Team, working to clear licenses to ensure launch as Regulatory Lead and now, Director of Space Systems. Outside of work, you'll see me spending time with loved ones, playing piano, and listening to music. Some of my dreams are to achieve full free-diving certification, and to attend an Apex Legends/CS2 competition in-person. If you share any of these interests or if you're curious about my research, feel free to drop me a message right here on the network or email. I'd be thrilled to connect with you!

My name is Zala Bhan, and I’m a Laidlaw Scholar at Barnard College studying Applied Mathematics with an interest in biostatistics. For me, the Laidlaw program is a tribute to my cultural roots as a Kashmiri Pandit (KP), the ethnic minority of Kashmir, and an effort to preserve and give voice to a history that’s often overlooked. In my first summer, I explored whether a truth and reconciliation framework could offer a path for the reintegration of KPs following their forced exodus of over 300,000 people in 1990. Through case studies of the South African TRC, Bosnia’s post-war efforts, and Chile’s reconciliation process, I examined what healing, accountability, and return may look like in the context of Kashmir. For my LiA, I’m building an oral history archive to preserve the memories and voices of those who lived through the exodus, alongside personal artifacts and memorabilia. This archive aims to preserve lived experiences, support future research, and spark conversations about justice, memory, and belonging. I hope to continue this work long after the summer ends, deepening the archive and expanding its reach.

Hello! I'm a second year Biology student at the University of Leeds and I'm part of the 2024 Scholars cohort. I have been trying to figure people out for a long time and I thought what better way than to explore the wonders of neuroscience in my first year research project!? If you want to chat about books, the economic/political state of the world right now, or just life - drop me a message!

Hey! I'm Grace, a second-year natural sciences student at the University of Leeds.  I have a deep curiosity at the intersection between Chemistry and Environmental science. Specifically, I am captivated by sustainable catalysis research, where I envisage helping to find innovative catalysis solutions that don't exploit the planets most scarce resources. My summer research is part of the 'sustainable curriculum' initiative, exploring the intersection of AI and sustainability education.

Hi! My name is Francesca and I am entering my third and final year at the University of Leeds studying Geography (BSc).  My research project focused on understanding students' expectations of sustainability in their curriculum and experience at the University. The research gained a well rounded perspective of sustainability practices in academic settings and how student voice can be an effective tool for engaging in sustainability further and creating beneficial change.  My LiA is with the make_sense organisation in Medellín, Colombia and focuses on Peace and Social Resilience within Picacho, an area in the city.   I look forward to connecting with many like-minded individuals who are eager to make significant change and adapt the needs of humanity in this climate crisis.