Asha Mior

Student Researcher, University of Toronto
Sarrah Hakimjee

Student, Tufts University

I am a rising Junior at Tufts University studying Biology and Computer Science. I tend to get excited about Bioinformatics, computational biology, and data science. This summer my research involves using network propagation methods to determine genes that are associated with Alzheimer's Disease.  In my free time, I like to journal, explore nature, and travel to new places. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or comments about my work, I am always happy to chat about it!
Laoise Murray

Laidlaw Scholar, Trinity College Dublin

I am a final-year law student from Ireland and I have a particular interest in socio-legal research. I like finding connections between the structure of our legal system and various social-demographic features of the population that it governs. Saying that however, I really am interested in all areas of law and I'm sure I will find other interesting research rabbit holes to wander down in the future.
Megan Lupo

Student, University of Leeds

Hello my name is Megan and I am a University of Leeds scholar, currently studying abroad at Lund University, Sweden! This summer I completed my independent Leadership-in-Action placement at the non-profit Sharing Excess, in Philadelphia. It is a food rescue organisation and I worked in the distribution team helping to deliver the rescued food to people in need. Last summer, I completed my research project with Bite Back 2030, looking at the negative effects of delivery apps on young people's health and trying to come up with ways to minimise this through legislation.
Aya Hammad

Medical student, University of York

I'm a medical student at the University of York interested in immunology, public health, as well as education and leadership within health care! My research project is about understanding how mutations in immune cells impact a certain group of rare bone marrow disorders (MPNs) that can lead to cancer.
Maseng Moumakwa

Medical Student, Trinity College Dublin

Hi, I'm Maseng- A 3rd year Medical student in Trinity College Dublin, with a particular interest in Reproductive and Women's health. I have a previous undergraduate degree in Physiology, a masters degree in Biomedical Diagnostics and 4 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Outside of my academics, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, reading, listening to music and going for long drives. My research project for the summer is an exploratory study into  differential treatment towards ethnic minority pregnant women and new mothers in Irish Maternity Hospitals. 
Charlie Rogers (she/her)

Student, University of St Andrews

Hi! My name is Charlie I’m born and raised in Australia but am currently doing my bachelor’s degree in the UK at the University of St Andrews studying International Relations and Psychology. During my time at university, I have also studied Arabic and Italian and in the future, I would love to work in political psychology helping to develop human rights, and climate action policy and campaigns. My research project is, therefore, looking at social identity and climate change reform as I aim to investigate how environmentalism is represented and the extent to which it encourages or marginalises groups from collective action. So if you are also working on something like this or know an expert in the field please get in touch, I would love to hear from you! I'm a diligent worker and have worked in a variety of positions in hospitality, environmentalism, and communications. This includes being a public speaking and debating coach, a legal administrative assistant and a research assistant at Licella, a renewable energies firm. I am passionate about the environment and protecting our planet and love spending time in the outdoors. In my free time, I enjoy cooking and inventing new recipes! My friends describe me as a bit of an amateur chef but otherwise, I love being active and sail competitively for my University team as well as surfing when I'm at home. I would describe myself as adventurous, extroverted, pro-active and open-minded. Having done a fair amount of solo travelling in the past I am capable of being independent and self-sufficient, however, I thrive in groups and love learning from other people’s experiences and expertise.
Lucy Stark

University of Toronto Student, University of Toronto Laidlaw Scholars Programme

I am a Lester B Pearson Scholar entering my second year at the University of Toronto as a history and economics double major. My Laidlaw project surrounds "Housing First" programs in cities across the world, including cities in Canada, the United States, and Finland. Through this project, I hope to discover what factors are most essential for successfully housing chronically homeless persons. Beyond this project, I am involved in the University of Toronto Moot Team, I write for two student papers, and I have a passion for documentary filmmaking.
Pearls Eddo

Law (Industrial) LLB, University of Leeds

Hi👋🏾 I’m Pearls I am a final year Law student at the University of Leeds. I recently completed a placement year at The Walt Disney Company as a CPGP Contract Management Intern (hence the 'industrial' next to my degree title) My first-year research project looked at the way game-based learning could be incorporated into Multi-Academy Trusts (aka MATs) to improve the academic attainment and classroom engagement of GCSE-year black students. My Leadership-in-Action project was with MakeSense and focused on empowering minority communities within Mexico City.
Vedika Jha

Student, University of Toronto

Hello!! My name is Vedika Jha (Vay-dih-ka), my pronouns are she/her, and I am going into 2nd year at University of Toronto! My first research project focused on the genetic factors contributing to cerebral palsy, a common disorder. My second research project explored patient perspectives on privacy and trust in digital genomic tools. However I am more broadly interested in Molecular Genetics, Evolutionary Biology, and Climate Change! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or just to talk :)
Shysta Sehgal

Research Assistant, University of Toronto

I am a rising second year student at the University of Toronto, doing a specialist in Computer Science and a major in Cognitive Science. I am very passionate about equitable education, and I look forward to using code to address this area in the longer run. I am also the founder of a startup, Sui Generis Education, which aims to provide mentorship to high school students from marginalised communities to apply to universities. You can always connect with me if you know of someone who'd need that help. Lastly, my research project focuses on the enabling and constraining factors for women in tertiary STEM education. I am hoping that my research could help in developing policies that encourage more women to pursue STEM in university.
Ecem Sungur

Research & Design Assistant, University of Toronto

Hi, my name is Ecem and I’m a current architecture student, research assistant, and web/graphic designer! Internalizing the current issues of cities including crisis management and housing problem, I work on multiple volunteer, mentorship, and leadership projects. My research for the Laidlaw Program revolves around how architecture can be designed as a crisis management tool and its applications in the past, present, and future.
Kayla Kim

Knowledge Management and Learning Analyst, United Nations Development Programme

Hello! I was Laidlaw scholar in 2019, and I studied national, regional, and local identity in northern Tajikistan through the lens of women's fashion.  For a year after graduating, I worked for the UN Mine Action Service which removes landmines from conflict and post-conflict regions. I then worked for the Laidlaw Foundation 2021-22 and completed a Master's Degree in Anthropology and Development Management at the London School of Economics. Now I'm working with the UN on innovative finance for biodiversity conservation, focusing on marine ecosystems. Please feel free to reach out on the network, on LinkedIn, or by email. I'm always happy to meet new people and chat.
Julie Seeger

Student, University of Toronto

Hello! My name is Julie and I am a current National Scholar studying architecture at the University of Toronto. I am interested in the intersection between architecture and mental health, which has resulted in me pursuing a minor in Buddhism, Mental Health and Psychology. Outside of school I am a cellist, photographer, and dancer. I am excited to research how architecture impacts mental health and use my findings in my designs. As an architect, I aspire to open my own firm and design spaces that connect others and bring light to the world. 
Eleanor Thurston (she/her)

BSc Sustainability and Environmental Management, University of Leeds

Hi! My name's El and I study BSc Sustainability and Environmental Science at the University of Leeds. I'm passionate about sustainability and my research with Laidlaw will be investigating healthy food habits in young people and identifying healthy food brands in the UK. Aside from that, I love art, volunteering and dance!
Sarina Zhou

Undergraduate Researcher, Cornell University

Hi, everyone! My name is Sarina Zhou, a Class of 2024 student at Cornell University! I am major in Economics and minor in Law and Society. The aim of my research is to implement the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Barbados, bridge the gap in understanding between legislators and their constituents, and improve the lives of those in disadvantaged and marginalized communities. I always seek opportunities to develop my skills and knowledge in various subject areas, particularly in the fields of law and business. I hope to pursue a career in immigration or corporate law in the future. Also, fun fact: I am an artist specializing in acrylic landscape painting and graphite portrait drawing! Please don't hesitate to connect with me! :)
Aly Muhammad Sayani

Full-time student, University of Toronto

Hello there! My name is Aly, and I am a British undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, currently doing an International Affairs Specialist, with a Minor in Sustainability. My research project is → Linking Political orientation and Environmentalism: An analysis of changing environmental attitudes and subsequent party support in Canada. In my project, I aim to analyze the changing link between environmental attitudes and party support/political orientation in Canada, using Canadian Election Studies data from 2015 and 2019, and comparing my results with results from a previous study which carried out similar analysis on data from the 2004 and 2006 elections. I also hope to inform my analysis with a discussion of provincial differences in these links, hoping to shine a light on possible avenues towards improving engagement with voters for provincial elections which may help Canada in its terrible track record on improving its environment. 
Inkindi Mutoni Sabine

STEM Subject Lead, University of Rwanda

I am a graduate of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering at the University of Rwanda. I am also the STEM Subject Lead. My Laidlaw research project is about bringing a system that could help minimize the number of high-school and primary students who bring cell phones to school since it's one of the major sources of distraction. I did my Master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University Africa, majoring in Cybersecurity and Data Science.
Ellen Lavender

Scholar, University of York

I'm a final year psychology MSci student specialising in developmental disorders. My project focuses around the development attention in infants and if certain maternal strategies scaffold joint attention and how this varies cross culturally in the UK and Uganda. I'm hoping to pursue a PhD in the future!
Tito Olaniyan

Medical Student, University of York

Hi, I'm a third year medical student with a passion for mental health. I'm current undertaking research exploring the role of social media on mental health.
Stefan Elekes

Medical Student , Trinity College Dublin

I am a 3rd year medical student at Trinity College Dublin interested in infectious disease at the level of an individual through immunology and microbiology but also at a population level through public health studies. In light of how infections can get out of control in epidemic and pandemics, the need for research in infectious disease agents and cellular immunotherapies has only become more urgent. This, along with the complexity of pathogen-host interactions is what drives my interest to the field.