Hello everyone. My name is Samantha and I am junior in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. I am pursuing a major in International Politics and a minor in Cognitive Science. I am originally from Connecticut. In my free time, I enjoy reading realistic fiction novels and going on walks. For my research summer, my faculty mentored project was titled African American Resiliency in the British Caribbean and I conducted research under Professor Anita Gonzalez of the American American Studies Department at Georgetown. The project focused on Cat Island, one of the out islands in The Bahamas, and explored the culture of Cat Island by mapping the island’s foodways, music traditions, and histories. Research methods included conducting oral interviews with local residents of Cat Island and participating in cultural practices. Ultimately, the project examined how Bahamian culture reflects the resiliency of Black populations that have survived forced migration and enslavement in the Caribbean. For my Leadership-in-Action project, I worked at Yahad - in Unum in Paris, France. The nonprofit is dedicated to investigating mass atrocities through interviewing witnesses and examining the sites of mass graves. Currently, Yahad has ongoing investigations in Eastern Europe, Guatemala, Iraq, and Ukraine. Additionally, the organization prioritizes genocide education. My independent project is dedicated to creating a Holocaust education workshop in collaboration with a museum in South Africa.

Hello! My name is Claire Auslander and I'm a rising third-year at Georgetown University. I am studying nursing with the goal of earning my doctorate in midwifery/obstetrics & gynecology. I hope to dedicate my career to advancing reproductive freedom through healthcare delivery, research, and advocacy!  This summer, I worked as a student nurse intern at the Alaska Native Medical Center's Family Birthing Services unit. I delivered culturally responsive nursing care under preceptor supervision on a high-risk, tertiary referral labor and delivery unit within the largest tribally managed health system in the US. My goal was to further elucidate my understanding of how sociocultural and religious influences shape patient decision-making, provider-patient communication, and access to reproductive services. Last summer, I researched the relationship between U.S. contraceptive policy and religiosity. More specifically, I looked at state legislation relating to insurance coverage of contraceptives and the relationship, if any, between religious service attendance. My research builds upon my experience as a research assistant in health policy and maternal health and I'm thrilled to explore the intersection of my interests!  A fun fact about me is that I'm from the San Francisco Bay Area but my family moved around a lot when I was younger. I've lived in Northern and Southern California, Texas, Massachusetts, Switzerland, and Washington, DC! Please don't hesitate to reach out, especially if it's to talk about policy/medical research or share your favorite music! 

Hello! I'm Evie, a rising junior at Georgetown University. Born in the UK, I was raised in New York City. I now study regional and comparative studies at Georgetown's School of Foreign Service, focusing on Asian and Pacific politics and history with a specific interest in the role of media and soft power in international relationships there. I'm interested in not just the role of journalism in international relations, but also the practical work of journalism; outside of my studies, I'm also the editor-in-chief of Georgetown's online-daily, print-weekly student newspaper, The Hoya. My research project this summer focuses on understanding the role of independent journalism in Pacific island countries' choices to diplomatically recognize China or Taiwan. Does the presence or absence of independent media have any effect on countries' choices? In articles written by independent press vs. government-owned press vs. outlets owned by magnates in the Pacific, what differs in coverage of China and Taiwan? Beyond my academic interests, I love to watch and play soccer, go hiking, read, cook, and talk about New York City. 

My name is Fiona and I'm a member of the Class of 2026 at Georgetown University in the US. I'm majoring in Culture and Politics with a concentration in International Labor Policy and minoring in English and French. My research focuses on the intersection between artificial intelligence and labor exploitation. I aim to chronicle the ways that the tech industry would not function without the contract labor performed by millions of workers in the Global South, and to analyze new models of tech worker organizing to strengthen their power and autonomy. I also hope to situate this "last mile" of digital automation within historical trends of piecework, mechanization, and labor displacement under capitalism. For my summer 2025 Leadership in Action project, I'm interning at a labor union in the capital of Tunisia.

Hello, my name is Austin Huang, and I am a rising sophomore in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown. I am majoring in International Politics, with minors in Asian Studies and Chinese. As a part of the Laidlaw Programme, I am excited by the chance to engage with other students from across the world and learn from their unique, valuable perspectives. Getting the opportunity to hear from such diverse scholars is especially exciting, and I can't wait see the depth and breadth of work that my fellow scholars have been doing! My own interests lie in Asia-Pacific policy, both within the region and how it interacts with the rest of the world. I am particularly interested in how the relationship between the US and China impacts the region, as well as how different models and systems of governance in the region influences political dynamics. I look forward to being a Laidlaw Scholar, and having access to a wide network of talented and diverse scholars to learn and grow from. 

My name is Alexandra and I'm part of the 2023 Laidlaw Scholar Cohort. I'm a recent graduate of Georgetown University, and am now beginning my medical education at the University of Minnesota Medical School. I'm really interested in exploring the molecular mechanisms of hematologic malignancies, and am also passionate about global and public health.

Hey there! I'm a Senior in the School of Health at Georgetown University, majoring in Global Health, with interests in epidemiology, international affairs, and biodefense. I served as an intern at Global Implementation Solutions, focusing on One Health capacity building and preparedness in public health emergency operations centers (PHEOCs.) I spearheaded the field trials for a One Health assessment tool for county level PHEOCs. I also worked as a research assistant at the Carlson Lab in the Center for Global Health Science and Security, exploring and modeling the impacts of climate change on bacterial dysentery using R. I presented this project as a poster at the 2024 Global Health Security Conference in Sydney, Australia, with expected journal publication in Fall 2024. Outside of my work with the lab, I serve as New Sibling at Large for Mu Alpha chapter of the Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, sing with Georgetown Music Ministry, and write for The Caravel, Georgetown's undergraduate international affairs newspaper. I'm looking for a DC-based (or remote) global health, international development, or biodefense related internship for the 2024-2025 school year. Please feel free to reach out to me at ys913@georgetown.edu.

I am the leadership developer for the University of Leeds. I am passionate about learning and ways in which we can all bring more of our true selves to work. I am keen to open dialogues about how leadership can be both effective and human in the 21st Century. My influences include a quote I learnt whilst studying to be a teacher at university "there is no liberating influence than the knowledge that things have not always been as they are and need not remain so." (Simon. B.) So, you can see that as leaders of the future Laidlaw Scholars can bring about positive and lasting change - and how great that is! My qualifications include: BEd Hons,, MSc, CIPD Dip, ILM L5 Coaching & Mentoring, PG Cert Counselling, FHEA. I am accredited to run Quintax personality profile, PPA, TMSDI Team Profile, EQi 2.0 Emotional Intelligence.

Hello! I've directed the Laidlaw Scholars Program at Brown University since 2023. I care deeply about lifting up the next generation of leaders, change-makers, and engaged scholars to create a more just and equitable world. My PhD is in U.S. History and Gender Studies with a focus on families, childhood and youth. Send me a message if you'd like to connect! My Clifton Strengths are: Achiever, Relator, Strategic, Learner, Individualization 

I am the Programme Manager at LSELife dedicated to providing personal and professional development opportunities and programmes to our students at LSE. 

Hello! My name is Alexis and I am an undergraduate at Georgetown University. I'm majoring in international political economy, minoring in women's and gender studies, and pursuing a certificate in diplomatic studies. In the past, I have conducted research on the concept of moral courage and I am currently researching eldercare in East Asia through the Laidlaw Programme.  In my free time, I like to cook, bake, and sew. I also really enjoy rock climbing, skiing, and going on hikes. One of my dreams is to visit the Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks. If you ever want to chat, please feel free to reach out!

Hello, my name is Omar Sbaih, and I am a rising junior in the College of Arts and Sciences. I am majoring in neurobiology with a minor in philosophy and cognitive science. As a Laidlaw Scholar, I am eager to engage with and learn from my fellow scholars, embracing the opportunity to collaborate and share knowledge. I believe that the exchange of ideas and perspectives is vital in expanding our understanding of the world. By actively participating in this community, I hope to gain insights from diverse academic backgrounds and contribute my own unique insights to the collective learning experience. With access to such a profoundly diverse network, I am driven to explore the underlying principles of human cognition and consciousness through the lens of many different disciplines. I am particularly interested in investigating the ethical implications and societal impact of advancements in neuroscience, particularly the advancement of new pharmacological treatments for cognitive impairments.

Hello! My name is Alex Zuehlke and I'm a rising junior at Georgetown University. I am majoring in Economics with a minor in Tech, Ethics, and Society. I'm originally from Madison, Wisconsin!  Last summer, I researched the health insurance literacy of college students---looking further into how students' knowledge of the US health insurance system affects their ability to access adequate and timely healthcare.  Outside of Laidlaw, I love to draw, go on walks, and explore D.C.'s coffee scene. I can't wait to read all about other research topics and connect with you all. I would love to chat about research and I'm always open to a good coffee shop recommendation. 

Hello! My name is Maggie Lehman and I'm a senior at Georgetown University. I am an International Politics major in the School of Foreign Service and I am originally from Boston, MA. Last summer, I researched the intersectionality of feminism and grassroots peacebuilding in Israel/Palestine. I explored the impacts of the inclusion of women in peacebuilding (or the lack thereof) and the importance of including women in these spaces. This summer, I was in Amman, Jordan, working with Reclaim Childhood, an NGO that empowers girls and women through sport. At RC, I worked in the office and learned how an NGO functions. In the evenings, I had the chance to go to RC's flagship programming, sports camp, and work on the field with the coaches and girls. I look forward to connecting with you all -- please don't hesitate to reach out if you'd like to chat!

Hi! My name is Laura Montgomery, and I am a rising third year student from Ann Arbor, Michigan, attending Georgetown University. Currently, I am planning to major in Mathematics and to double-minor in Women and Gender Studies and French. My research project is Coding Gender: Exploring the Presence of Gender Stereotyping in ChatGPT. With its release in November 2022, ChatGPT has taken the world by storm, causing many to speculate that this AI program’s capability will significantly impact not only America’s technological field, but also the functioning of America and its education system. My research will analyze ChatGPT through a gendered lens, examining the language of its generated responses and comparing its gender-biased levels to other AI technology. My investigation will primarily focus on ChatGPT’s language translation service and how it responds to transcribing gender-neutral English sentences into gendered languages.  When I'm not studying/working, I like to read, thrift, or take long walks and explore DC! I am super excited about participating in this program and undergoing research! Please do not hesitate to reach out, and I look forward to meeting all of you. Hoya Saxa!

Dung Tran is a sophomore in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, majoring in International Politics with a concentration on foreign policy and international relations and a minor in government. He is a Fellow at the Royal Society of Arts, and interned at the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is involved with the Laidlaw Scholars programme, the Georgetown Social Innovation and Public Service Fund, and the Initiative for U.S.-China Dialogue on Global Issues. A native of Hanoi, Vietnam, and growing up in New York City and Kuala Lumpur, Dung is passionate about the interdisciplinary human sciences and international relations, aspiring to pursue a career in the diplomatic service of his home country. His Laidlaw Scholars project examined the sui generis of Vietnamese Buddhism and its impacts on the development of contemporary Vietnamese shared identity.

Junior in the College of Arts and Sciences at Georgetown University, majoring in Biology of Global Health with a minor in Music.