Hello! My name is Rowena, I am an undergraduate at UCL studying Sustainable Built Environment, Energy and Resources. It is an honour to study at the QS ranking’s #1 university in the UK for sustainability and the Bartlett School which is the #1 faculty in the world for built environment studies. I am passionate about sustainability and strive to combine academic research with real-world impact through quantitative and qualitative analysis, policy evaluations and environmental advocacy. My Laidlaw research builds on my previous work on Biodiversity Net Gain and its impact on sustainable housing of which a summary was published in the Harmony Journal in 2024. I am keen to pursue a meaningful career in sustainable finance consultancy. In school I was recognised for my academic achievements with the International Gold Medal at Ireland’s Young Economist of the Year competition, a certificate of commendation from Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge in their economics essay competition and a feature on BBC Radio and ITV News at Reading Schools’ Model UN COP27.  Beyond academics, I am an active leader and environmental advocate. At UCL, I serve as a Green Impact Strategy Ambassador and Academic Representative, attending conferences, forums and committee meetings on a regular basis to ensure my peers’ voices are heard. I also love the performing arts, having directed and acted in multiple theatre productions as House Captain at school and playing the organ and singing in my church choir. I thrive in dynamic, high-pressure environments and am always looking for opportunities to drive meaningful, sustainable change. My goal as a Laidlaw Scholar is to merge research, technology and policy to creative innovative solutions for our global future.

👋 Hi, I’m Aimee! I study Architectural&Interdisciplinary Studies BSc at UCL and am passionate about exploring how art and design can connect creativity with research and community. As a Laidlaw Scholar, my first year project focused on building the first digital exhibition for the Paris Summer School, combining my interests in design and storytelling with leadership in collaborative projects.

Hi! My name is Freya, and I'll be doing my research on defining the geotechnical properties of Lunar simulant regolith so that when we begin to create high fidelity infrastructure replicas here on Earth ( whether that be a road, a building or a launchpad) we can predict how the surface will change based on these loads! Aside from all things space, I do a MEng in Engineering and Architectural design, with an interest in small space architecture (such as space habitation) and multifunctional/modularity within spaces. I'm also interested in Japanese architecture, spending my gap year living and working in Tokyo whilst also developing my Japanese to N3 intermediate (plus I love 7/11 and all the Konbini's haha).

Hi! I'm terrible at writing bios so if you have any suggestions or are interested in discussing your own research, I'd be delighted to chat!

Hello! I’m Ayaan, a first-year MEng Biochemical Engineering student at University College London, driven by a curiosity for how science and engineering can be harnessed to solve some of the world’s most urgent challenges — from climate change to food insecurity to ethical innovation in healthcare. As a Laidlaw Scholar, my research dives into the world of cultivated meat — a frontier that aims to redefine how we produce and consume animal protein. I’m exploring how plant-based scaffolds made from alginate and pectin can be engineered to support muscle cell alignment and tissue development, helping bring structured, slaughter-free meat closer to scalable reality. Under the supervision of Dr. Petra Hanga, I’ll be working with hydrogel fabrication, cell culture, and image analysis to optimise scaffold design — all with the goal of building more ethical, sustainable food systems. Outside the lab, I’m President of UCL’s Biotechnology & Synthetic Biology Society, where I lead initiatives connecting students to cutting-edge research, industry experts, and the growing bioeconomy. From launching our upcoming podcast to organising our first Synthetic Biology Conference, I love building platforms that help others engage with the science shaping our future. Service is a key part of who I am. Each week, I volunteer at the Charing Cross Food Bank, helping support vulnerable communities through hands-on food distribution. It’s a constant reminder of why science should serve society — not just through innovation, but through direct impact. When I’m not in a lab or planning the next event, you’ll probably find me out for a run, playing a few intense sets of badminton, or exploring hidden corners of London in search of underrated cafés and green spaces. I’m a lifelong Arsenal fan, which has taught me some of life’s most valuable lessons: character building through near-misses, resilience in the face of last-minute heartbreak, and grit while surrounded by friends who support literally any other club and never let me hear the end of it. I’m especially interested in the intersection of biotech, sustainability, and policy, and hope to one day contribute to a world where scientific innovation is deeply rooted in equity and access. If you’re working on something exciting in food tech, biotech, or community-driven science — or just want to chat about CRISPR or the Champions League — feel free to reach out: ayaan.a.shah@gmail.com. Always up for a good conversation.

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! :) I'm Ravleen, a 1st year Pharmacy student at UCL. In the last year, I was introduced to pharmaceutics: a scientific basis for the formulation and manufacture of safe and effective medicines. Even the most effective medicine doesn't work if the patient refuses to take it. A study found that 79% of children stated that the taste of medicine made them unwilling to take it. Moreover, children are commonly unable to swallow neutral tasting pills, which makes dosing them a challenge. For my research project, I explored the development of child-friendly, palatable formulations called orodispersible films using a method called electrospinning. This involved hands-on laboratory work to develop prototype formulations at the UCL School of Pharmacy and interviews with paediatric, oncology patients at Great Ormand Street Hospital to improve the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea & vomiting. Feel free to reach out.