Hi everyone! I’m a first-year Chemical Engineering student at the University of Leeds with a strong interest in biomedical engineering, particularly at the intersection of sustainability and healthcare. I’m also passionate about environmental and energy-related challenges, and I’m eager to explore how engineering and innovation can contribute to more sustainable systems. I’m looking forward to connecting with fellow scholars through the Laidlaw Scholars Network, exchanging ideas, and learning from people with diverse backgrounds and ambitions. 😊

Hello! I am Defne, a physics student at UCL interested in pursuing graduate studies in biophysics. 

Hi everyone! My name is Phoebe Matthew, and I am a rising sophomore at Columbia University majoring in Neuroscience & Behavior and possibly minoring in Computer Science. My research this summer in the Siegelbaum Lab at the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute explores the role of the ventral CA1 excitatory neurons in the hippocampus, which are known to receive signals from the CA2 region that is heavily implicated in social memory, in valence associated social memory. This type of memory is not only the recognition of a familiar individual but also the memory of how that individual made you feel. Social memory is impaired in several neuropsychiatric disorders, and it is essential to understand how the mechanism behind it to inform possible therapeutics. Beyond the lab, I am a volunteer at a local memory care facility through Brain Exercise Initiative, a writer for Grey Matters (campus neuroscience journal), and involved in Columbia Synapse (traumatic brain injury advocacy group). I also recently got certified as an EMT. I am passionate about brain health advocacy/awareness, science communication, and service. In my free time, I enjoy painting, crafting, reading, and playing the ukulele. I would love to meet everyone, so please do not hesitate to reach out!   

INCAE’s social impact research division promotes ethical, sustainable leadership informed by current development challenges. The ALSALUS partnership aims to increase breast-cancer screening for rural women in Costa Rica. Responsibilities & Ideal Background Qualitative, research-oriented work tailored to interests, with strong supervisor support and an independent work environment. A good fit is social, outgoing, and hard-working—able to self-manage deadlines. Work is likely more qualitative than quantitative; communication, research, and language skills are valuable. LiA Champion Our LiA Champion is Katherine Ward. Curious about this project but not sure where to start? They can share candid insights from their experience—what the work involved, skills that proved useful, and pointers for exploring a good fit. Please contact them via the Laidlaw Scholars Network: https://laidlawscholars.network/users/katherine-ward Organisation Contact INCAE – Social Impact / ALSALUS Email: ignacio.sanchez@incae.edu

Hi! I'm a 3rd year medical student at Imperial College London. I'm interested in how cross-sector parternships can improve health and well-being (SDG3) for all.

Hi there! I'm a first-year international student at the University of Toronto, studying computer science. I grew up in Jamaica, and I love learning about other cultures. Feel free to reach out; I'm always happy to talk. 

👋 Hi there, my name is Georgina. I am a Laidlaw Alumni and a graduate from University College London. It's a pleasure to meet you!

Hi! I'm Sophia, an aspiring scientist and philomath. I love learning about everything and anything and delight in spending time with people who are passionate about the things they love! I am really interested and curious about how we can use chemistry to improve processes and products to help society. For example, my research project is looking into the possibility of turning struvite, a mineral which is a by-product of waste-water treatment processes into slow-release nitrogen and phosphorous fertilisers, which would be a green source nitrogen and phosphorous fertilisers and help achieve goals of zero-waste.  If you are researching something similar or are interested in learning more about the project, please reach out! I am super happy to talk about the project and meet other who are doing something similar and possibly collaborate! 

Hello! I’m a Philosophy student at Durham University, with academic interests in applied ethics, decision-making, and political philosophy. My broader aim is to use interdisciplinary research to drive measurable, socially meaningful change. My summer research explored barriers to public transport adoption, with a view toward long-term policy implementation. This project brings together behavioural science, psychology, urban planning, and design to contribute to more sustainable and inclusive transport policies. For my LiA, I will be travelling to Kerala for the central CraftHER project, where I will undertake four consulting projects with local female-led businesses and a research project. 

Hi! I'm Lizzie, a second-year Biological Sciences student at Durham University. Deeply passionate about advocating for and taking action to maintain environmental health and sustainability, I aim to contribute meaningfully to these efforts by expanding my understanding of such challenges and collaborating with like-minded individuals who share a dedication to environmental conservation.   I have a particular interest in the nuanced, smaller-scale impacts of human activity on the environment, including the unintended genetic alterations that result from human intervention, a focus of the study I will be contributing to this summer, which is exploring the implications of large-scale assisted sowing for the UK’s native plant species within biodiversity management strategies. Specifically, my role in this ongoing study will involve conducting extensive data collection and literature reviews to identify native species most vulnerable to these interventions. In my free time, I actively participate in environmental volunteer work and love to do anything creative, from painting to crocheting and reading. I also enjoy spending time outdoors, particularly dog walking, and practising karate with my university club.

Hi there! I’m a 1st year, soon-to-be 2nd year BSc Psychology student at Durham University. “Why does sad music make us feel better sometimes?” pretty much sums up my interest in music and psychology. On a deeper level, I will investigate how international students interact with music to make themselves feel better in different contexts. It is important to investigate cross-culturally as our world becomes more globalised. Moreover, I believe music can transcend geographical and cultural boundaries, as it seems to have such a profound effect on everyone, regardless of where they’re from. Not only may music connect us all, but it can also connect us with ourselves. The National Health Service in the United Kingdom has been struggling with high demand for mental health services, thus resulting in long waiting lists and inaccessible help when people need it most. I hope to advocate for music as a non-invasive, accessible, and sustainable facilitator of emotional regulation, thereby reducing the overwhelming need for pharmacological treatment. Outside the Laidlaw Programme, I’m also a part of a youth Advisory Group for the ORIGIN project, which involves developing online cultural and art mental health interventions for underrepresented young people experiencing depression and anxiety. Please feel free to drop me a message if you’d like to participate or know more. ORIGIN is always looking for interested people! Ultimately, my involvement in research builds onto my future career aspirations; I aim to be a Clinical Psychologist while encouraging the integration of arts and culture into mental health interventions. I’m deeply interested in the interdisciplinary nature of music and psychology; however, I’m also excited to hear how other academic disciplines may interact and merge. Likewise, I enjoy multiple hobbies like playing the piano and ukulele, singing, cooking, crocheting, and reading. I think being a nerd about your interests is really cool, so if you’re like-minded, I’d love to chat with you!

Hello! I'm Hannah, a second-year Geography student at Durham University. I am delighted to have been accepted on to the Laidlaw Leadership and Research Programme as part of the 2025 cohort. My research last summer focussed on weight discrimination and weight discrimination training among fitness professionals. The project evaluated the nature and extent of weight discrimination within the UK fitness industry, with a specific focus on fitness professionals' roles in perpetuating or challenging such biases. Through both playing and coaching sports in deprived inner-city areas, I have directly experienced the physical, mental and social benefits of sports and fitness on individuals and communities so am passionate about reducing the barriers that prevent individuals from engaging in fitness environments. Furthermore, I have witnessed the negative impact of weight discrimination on young athletes, which motivates my interest in potentially creating a successful weight discrimination training programme for fitness professionals. This summer I am really excited to go to Mexico City with Makesense for my Leadership in Action project.  Outside of Laidlaw, I am part of Durham University Hockey and Netball Clubs and Collingwood College Boat Club. I also love to play the Piano and Cello, as well as being involved in Durham University Concert Band on the Oboe. 

Hey! Its Nicole, a first-year law student at Durham ;) I aspire to become a qualified lawyer in the UK, but I'm also interested to take the bar in the States and practice over there as well. I was born in Wisconsin, Milwaukee, but I grew up in the Netherlands so I consider myself to be more of a Dutchie than American. Looking forward to meeting new people from all walks of life on this Network <3

Hello, my name is Erin and I am a second year Classics student at Durham University. I am thrilled to have been accepted onto the Laidlaw Leadership and Research Programme as part of the 2025 cohort. I have always been what I consider to be academically curious but what is more colloquially termed as nerdy - especially in regards to Classics (I just love learning new things!). I also have aspirations to undertake a career in humanitarian work, driven by my desire to fight for social justice and empower others to do so. In this way, the remit of the Leadership and Research programme, to cultivate leaders whose actions are both ethical and data-driven, appeared to me to be perfectly aligned with my own interests.  I have had previous experience in the various domains of the programme: in terms of leadership, I was Head Student at my Secondary School in my final year; I completed a 5000 word EPQ research paper two years ago; and I have had some volunteering experience at a local food-bank. However, I am both aware of and looking forward to the fact that this programme is going to really challenge me mentally, emotionally and physically when it comes to the research project, the Oxford Character Project and the LiA, respectively. I am hopeful that the programme will lead to lots of personal growth and assist, alongside my degree and other uni experiences, in equipping me with the tools I need to be the driving force behind the change I want to see in the world after graduation!

Hi, my name is Sophie! I'm a second year Bsc Geography undergraduate at Durham University. My research project this summer is a pilot study investigating the effect of e-cigarette and cigarette exposure on prenatal development, focussing on upper facial movement. I hope to obtain an understanding of the potential implications to healthcare policymaking regarding maternal use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes. I am driven to take action to improve the lives of others, and therefore motivated to understand the impact of maternal actions on the lives of the younger generations and actions that can prevent negative impacts.  I really enjoy spending time outdoors, either walking or running. I also love to travel and explore new places! My favourite way to spend time with friends is to visit a café and have a good catch up over a coffee!