Hi all! My name is Rachel, and I am a junior in the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. I am majoring in International Politics with a concentration in Security Studies. I am also pursuing a minor in Justice and Peace Studies and a certificate in Diplomatic Studies. Originally, I am from Michigan, and in my free time I enjoy painting, swimming, and reading.  This summer my faculty mentored project is titled Geopolitical Analysis for Maps of the Modern World, and I have conducted my research under the supervision of Mark Giordano, who is a Professor of Geography and the Vice Dean for Undergraduate Affairs at Georgetown. The project focuses on Central Asia, and the ways in which the region is increasingly becoming a center of international politics and trade. It explores this phenomenon by investigating increasing foreign interest in the region through mapping. Ultimately, this project seeks to understand the causes, signs, and impacts of increasing foreign influence in Central Asia.

Hello! I am Olivia, a Public Policy and Governance, and Ethics, Society, and Law student at the University of Toronto. I am interested in how states relate to one another, how international diplomacy functions, and decision-making in states. This is why this summer I'll be looking at Legal Barriers to Self-Determination in Disputed Territories. This study looks at how states interact with independence movements, for example, to see if an overseas territory is worth retaining in the midst of claims for independence.  For fun, I like playing video games or reading, biking or walking through my neighbourhood, and browsing research. I love learning, I'm trying to read more non-fiction books, so please recommend any interesting research or novels! I am so excited to be a member of the Laidlaw community. I hope to learn more about all of you, and read as much of your work as possible! Please don't hesitate to reach out to me, either through the Laidlaw Scholars Network, or on LinkedIn. Let's talk!

Hello! I'm Fraser, a first-year biochemistry student at the University of Leeds. My main passion is biochemistry, but my interests extend across science and philosophy. I am ever-curious and love to learn and debate with my friends. The research project I will be embarking on this summer is titled: "Reimagining Electrophysiology Teaching for Neuroscience Undergraduates through a Design-Thinking Approach." I chose this project because I understand the importance of proper education in understanding and advancing science. The ineffectual education of complex scientific themes, like the brain, leads to misconceptions among the scientific community and the wider public. This can inhibit the advancements of science and impair related practices, such as the care of individuals suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. In my free time, I love playing sports. My favourites include rugby, football and tennis, but I am always eager to try something new. I also enjoy listening to music, doing resistance training at the gym, playing my bass guitar, and being in nature. Feel free to drop me a message or email me at zrwh2552@leeds.ac.uk to discuss research, university, or just to say hi. :)

Hello! I’m a sophomore at the University of Hong Kong, pursuing a dual major in History and Korean Studies, with a minor in Hong Kong Studies. I’m currently on exchange at Yonsei University! My research project is related to relief help in South Korea and Hong Kong in the 1980s-90s. I am trying to see how an individual’s sense of belonging to a place affects their willingness to help incoming refugees, using Hong Kong and South Korea during the influx of Mainland Chinese and North Koreans in the 1980s–90s as case-studies. This research may shed light on how to optimise relief efforts among current and potential refugees through a better understanding of motivating factors.

Ciao! I'm Leonardo, a Laidlaw Scholar passionate about entrepreneurship, leadership, and creating meaningful change in this world. I come from Italy, and at 17, I took an uncomfortable step by moving alone to the UK to pursue my studies, determined to gain access to an English university, networks, and growth opportunities. My research title is: "Using Points of Interest Data to Understand Retail Change in Great Britain, 2015 – 2025", which deeply connects with my entrepreneurial objectives. Through Laidlaw, I'm excited to expand my leadership capabilities, refine essential entrepreneurial skills and find new people within this amazing network! I'm passionate about engaging with Laidlaw's diverse global community, exchanging perspectives, and fostering long-lasting connections. I look forward to contributing my experiences, collaborating with fellow scholars, and continuously growing as both a leader and an individual. Please feel free to connect; I’m genuinely excited to share ideas, collaborate, and explore innovative solutions together! Leonardo Linkedin  leonardogareri05@gmail.com

Hello! My name is Mayowa and I am an operations director with a background in architecture and interior design, bringing over eight years of experience in the real estate and design industries. I have led design teams, optimized processes, and driven operational efficiency to improve business performance. Currently, I am pursuing an MBA at IE Business School, where I am focused on expanding my leadership and business expertise to drive operational excellence and strategic innovation. As a Laidlaw Scholar, I am committed to research and leadership initiatives that foster industry transformation and efficiency. After my MBA, I aim to transition into management or strategy consulting, leveraging my expertise in operations and business strategy to solve complex challenges and drive sustainable growth.

I am currently an International MBA candidate at IE Business School, supported by the Laidlaw Women Scholarship, where I am expanding my knowledge in global business strategy, corporate governance, and technology-driven solutions for organizational management. With over ten years of experience in internal audit and governance within Kazakhstan’s mining and metallurgy industry, I have contributed to transformative initiatives, including audit system automation, ERP integration, and sustainable reporting processes.  My academic and professional journey has equipped me with skills in change management, process improvement, and corporate policy development. As I progress through my MBA, I am particularly interested in exploring new perspectives on sustainability in business and fostering inclusive organizational cultures. Proficient in English, Russian, and Kazakh, with intermediate Spanish skills, I am eager to connect with and learn from a diverse community of forward-thinking leaders.

With a passion for IT and finance, I bring over five years of consulting experience where I’ve led, mentored, and trained diverse teams on large-scale projects in risk advisory, ITGC, and financial systems. At Deloitte, I became the youngest senior consultant, managing complex international projects while actively mentoring junior consultants. I am deeply committed to developing others, empowering my team members to take ownership of their growth, and creating a collaborative environment that fosters excellence. Beyond my professional role, I am passionate about gender equality and giving back to my community. As an active mentor with the Kav Mashve foundation, I train and guide young Arab women, helping them overcome barriers in the Israeli labor market and secure positions in leading firms. My mission is to empower women in underrepresented communities, helping them realize their full potential.

Hi, I am an Economics, Finance & Data Science undergrad @ Imperial College London and part of the 2023 cohort. I am particularly interested in macroeconomics and analysing data.