I am a third-year student at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, pursuing a double major in Economics and Public Policy with a focus in Data Analytics and a Certificate in Business Fundamentals. My academic interests lie at the intersection of economic analysis and policy work, and I have had the opportunity to explore this through internships at KPMG, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and the Ministry of Transportation Ontario. As a Laidlaw Scholar, my research investigates whether individual-level gender bias predicts sound-symbolic gender judgments in names -- a project that sits at the intersection of linguistics, social science, and gender equity. Through this experience, I hope to deepen both my qualitative and quantitative research skills while building a global network of scholars and practitioners working on meaningful problems. Beyond academia, I am someone who loves getting to know people, new experiences, and a good challenge -- whether that is exploring a new city, trying a new cuisine, or pushing myself into unfamiliar territory. I believe the best ideas come from diverse perspectives and lived experiences, and I am always looking to grow -- as a researcher, a leader, and a person. I would love to connect over coffee, lunch, or even a quick message -- if any of this resonates with you, let's catch up!

Hello! I'm an incoming fourth year student at the University of Toronto, majoring in health sciences and double minoring in entrepreneurship and anthropology. For my first summer research, I examined what environmental variables influenced sleep patterns in children located in the Republic of Congo. I will be extending this research, with a focus on how sleep is affected with the extent of market integration. I've done research ranging from biomedical physics to pedagogy studies. I have co-authored two publications on treating glioblastoma cancer and Parkinson's disease in animal models using MR-guided focused ultrasound. Below are the links to the papers! https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-85314-6 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-85811-8 For my Leadership-in-Action project, I am in a tiny island in Japan called Yoron, There, I will be helping out the English teachers, creating a Model UN curriculum to help expose the children to more extracurricular opportunities, piloting a Pen Pal project, and helping the science camp students affiliated with the University of Tokyo by teaching academic writing and by extension, academic presentation skills. The last goal is an extension of research I conducted with another professor outside of Laidlaw on pedagogical implications of expert writers' citation practices. I would also like to take this time firsthand to understand cultural differences in academic writing. I'd love to chat more! Please don't hesitate to send me a message. :D

My name is Lianne and I am a rising fourth-year student at the University of Toronto! I am super passionate about public health and related advocacy initiatives, and hope to be a physician-policymaker. Outside of academics, I love playing the guitar, singing, reading, dancing, traveling, and exploring new cities!

Hi everyone! My name is Candace (she/her), and I am a third-year international student at the University of Toronto. I am originally from India, but was born and raised in the UAE. I am pursuing a double major in Peace, Conflict & Justice Studies and History. I am passionate about diplomacy and history, and deeply interested in legal discourse, debate, and various policy issues. Specifically, I am drawn to topics such as sustainability and climate policy, immigration, and community-based welfare.  My Laidlaw Summer I project will explore the potential for Faith-based organisations (FBOs) to work alongside newly emerging interfaith alliances to enhance their roles in philanthropy and development, while simultaneously preventing the development of a tradition of communal violence in India. My goal is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the activities of six Indian FBOs based on Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity, focusing on their impact on social cohesion, maximising welfare and the creation of communal harmony. 

Hello! I'm Tyler Carriaga, a recipient of a full-ride merit scholarship at the University of Toronto, where I'm pursuing a Masters in Geography. Drawing from my multidisciplinary and multicultural background as an American-born, Vietnam-raised Filipino, I approach questions of place, identity, and community with a global perspective. My Laidlaw projects include research on ethnic enclave development in Seattle and program development in an urban poor community in Metro Manila. As a writer, designer, and urban wanderer, I strive to continually evolve my personal and technical skills in the pursuit of co-creating healthier, more sustainable, and just communities.

Hi! I'm Pranav, a third-year undergraduate at the University of Toronto, originally from the New York City metropolitan area—double majoring in Economics, with a focus in Data Analytics, and Public Policy, while also pursuing a certificate in Business Fundamentals and minor in South Asian Studies. My research interests are highly interdisciplinary, across socio-economic and tech policy, and the law—with a broad passion for global politics as well as focused interest in South Asian regional affairs and community-based impact. I'm always happy to chat with others and love to learn from my peers—please don't hesitate to reach out to me!

I am a literary scholar researching Anne Brontë and feminist writing.

Hi! I study Social Policy at LSE and am very, very passionate about intersectional liberation! This summer I did my LIA as a Commissioning Officer at Essex County Council doing participatory research to develop new domestic abuse early intervention services - an area I'm extremely passionate about. One day I hope to be a lawyer as I'm sure many other Laidlaw(y)ers do!  Always happy to chat about migration, dance, pole fitness, languages (currently learning 🇨🇳🇷🇺🇩🇪), and connect with like-minded people. (If you want to go to RBO to watch ballet or pole hire with me please get in contact!) Have the best day if you're reading this xx

A global community that connects engaged citizens, entrepreneurs and organizations to build an inclusive and sustainable society together. Through the re_action for impact programme, scholars take part in a six-week full-time summer experience with local partners to mobilise communities and deliver concrete actions on social and environmental challenges. Explore toolkits, videos and past scholar reflections: https://laidlawscholars.network/rooms/make_sense-re_action? Country focus In Marseille, scholars can contribute to ageing well (mobility, accessibility, social bonds, co-living solutions with public institutions and field actors) and preserving sea biodiversity (supporting NGOs to reduce waste and plastics, mobilise volunteers, and drive behaviour change). You’ll co-design and pilot practical actions with local partners across city and coastal communities.

My name is Alice (she/her) and I have just finished my first year at the University of Toronto studying Cognitive Science, and Philosophy as a National Scholar. I am from a small province called Newfoundland and Labrador, but studied for two years at Pearson College UWC in Victoria, British Columbia. I am really passionate about mental illness - specifically about how our conception of mental illness shapes the way we treat people with mental illness in medical institutions, and in society. I am also very invested in the climate justice movement. 

Hi! I'm Eedha, a rising sophomore at Barnard College, Columbia University, where I’m majoring in English with a concentration in Creative Writing (and maybe minoring in French, too!). My love for storytelling has shaped both my academic journey and my Laidlaw research. I'm exploring the role of happy endings in children’s literature: can stories that end well do more than comfort? Can they spark resilience, hope, and a sense of agency in young readers facing an uncertain world? Through this project, I hope to better understand the quiet power of optimism in shaping childhood and how literature might offer more than escape.

Hello! My name is Lena and I'm a rising Junior at Tufts University. I am double-majoring in biology and community health and I am passionate about health equity and primary care. For my first Laidlaw summer I will be conducting qualitative research on respiratory health in a nearby Latinx community. Feel free to contact me through My LinkedIn Profile if you have similar interests or want to chat!

Hello! My name is Annie, and I am a second year undergraduate student at the University of Cambridge, studying Geography.    My research project is titled ‘Scroll, Share, Speak: Examining Generational Engagement with Feminist Content on Social Media’. My project investigated the engagement patterns of self-identified women in the UK with feminist-related content on social media. The investigation examined how often different generations engage with digital feminist content, and the type of content and platforms they find most appealing. I explored how social media has influenced the way feminism is expressed and perceived, particularly in terms of its effectiveness in driving real-world change and shaping more inclusive forms of engagement.   In my spare time, I love to spend time with my friends and family, go on walks, and play netball.    If you’re interested in learning more about my research, or simply starting a conversation, I’d love to connect. 

Hey! I’m Samuel Kamalendran, a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto (Mississauga), where I major in Political Science and minor in English and Classics. My research project is titled “In the Valley of the Shadow of Death: Evaluating the Protection Afforded to Vulnerable Canadians by Bill C-7” and will explore whether Canada’s assisted-dying legal framework sufficiently protects the disabled, mentally ill, and those in poverty. I was first introduced to this topic through a term research paper in a Canadian Political Science course, and quickly became very engaged in the subject. What truly stood out to me about this subject was the intellectual conflict underpinning the debate about the Bill’s provisions. I was fascinated by the justifications both sides offered—all of which contained some measure of truth—and the simultaneous inability of scholars to come to a clear consensus. I was also very drawn to the real-life stories of individuals who interacted with MAiD—every one of which spoke directly to the implications of any law that intersected law, medicine, and the ethics of self-autonomy. Furthermore, as an aspiring legal professional, I am especially interested in diving into the legal and parliamentary cases that drove the development of assisted-dying forward, and performing a comparative analysis of international jurisdictions to decipher key lessons which can answer questions about the effectiveness of MAiD frameworks. In my free time, I enjoy working out, creating music on the piano and drums, and exploring local rivers, lakes, and trails with my brothers. I’m also active in journalism at my university, interested in AI and business, and passionate about serving my peers through my work with my school’s International Centre and my upcoming roles on various committees and boards. I’m sincerely looking forward to learning more about you all and your research projects! I would love to connect with y’all via LinkedIn, email (at samuel.kamalendran@mail.utoronto.ca), and/or through the Scholars network. I hope everyone has a fun, relaxing, and productive summer! :)