Donya Tavakol (She/Her)

Hello hello, great to meet you! I like bugs, ctenophores, cephalopods, cetaceans, and environmental public health:) Also knitting when I have time! Double major in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Peace Conflict & Justice at the University of Toronto!

Hi All! My name is Zuzu and I am a rising third year at the University of Toronto. I'm currently double majoring in Political Science and Diaspora and Transnational Studies and minoring in History. My research looks at how legal recognition impacts feelings of belonging while living in diaspora, with a focus on the Chagossian community living in Crawley. Outside of school I enjoy junk journalling, doing makeup, and baking. Additionally, I work for a youth NYC based climate organization as political director, so I also enjoy keeping up with local New York politics! Please feel free to reach out with any questions about my research or interests, I am happy to chat. :)

Hello! My name is Ace Tabisaura, an incoming 3rd-Year Public Law student at University of Toronto Scarborough with a strong interest in labour and employment law, particularly how legal institutions shape protections for marginalized workers.

Hello there! I'm Ashiya, a member of the 2025 Laidlaw Leadership & Research Programme Cohort. I am a student at the University of Toronto's Munk School, pursuing a double major in Peace, Conflict & Justice and Ethics, Society & Law. I'm passionate about education and the governance of digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. I am currently exploring how this affects children facing socioeconomic disadvantage through my Leadership-in-Action project in Northern England. This builds on my previous work in student advocacy, my research of Indigenous-led education initiatives in Canada for my first Laidlaw summer, and my new role as a Center for International Governance Innovation Digital Policy Hub Fellow.  I look forward to reading and contributing to the incredible body of work on this platform (you all are awesome)! Outside of research, I love to read, dance ballet, explore, learn new things and make new friends - please feel free to reach out anytime :) 

Hello! My name is Viktoria, and I’m a third year student at University of Toronto pursuing a Human Biology major and double minor in Immunology and Physiology. In my research, I'm investigating how immune dysfunction contributes to Parkinson’s Disease (PD) pathogenesis, a condition that has immensely impacted my family. My work integrates computational transcriptomic analysis of patient data with experimental validation in a preclinical mouse model. This integrative approach aims to uncover immune-related biomarkers that could inform precision-based, disease-modifying immunomodulatory therapies that slow or prevent PD progression.         My fascination with the immune system began with my own experience navigating everyday life with my anaphylactic allergies. Early exposure to the immune system’s complexity inspired my ongoing commitment to understanding how immune dysregulation underpins disease. PD is close to my heart, and I’m motivated to have my work contribute to better diagnostics and treatments for patients worldwide.         Looking ahead, I aspire to pursue graduate studies; either an MSc or PhD in immunology, neuroscience, or biomedical sciences. I’m passionate about translating academic research into real-world solutions and hope to build a venture that leverages immune insights for targeted, accessible therapies. I’m also a language enthusiast; I love learning new languages and immersing myself in different cultures, and I believe cross-cultural communication is essential for global health innovation and leadership.          When I’m not in the lab, you can find me studying in new cafes and trying new restaurants around Toronto, reading psychological thrillers or philosophical literature, hiking with my dog, or travelling abroad!                 The Laidlaw Scholars Programme has been an incredibly meaningful part of my academic journey thus far, empowering me to ask bold questions, build hands-on research skills, and connect with a vibrant community of change-makers. If you’re curious about Parkinson’s research, immunology/neuroscience/biotech, or just want to connect, feel free to reach out on my LinkedIn. I’d love to hear from you!

Hiya! My name is Faith Marion Kalia, but you can call me Mae! I am a third-year student at the University of Toronto double-majoring in Philosophy and Diaspora & Transnational Studies with a minor in Creative Writing!  For my research, I will be studying how the biracial South Asian identity is impacted by language, gender, and identity politics. It is my highest hopes that this research is able to suggest an alternative identification for biracial people that does not threaten the wholeness of their being! When I'm not researching, you may find me cafe hopping, reading critical theory, or dilly dallying in the park with friends! I am open to further discussing my research and/or extracurricular hobbies, if interested — feel free to contact me via social media or email!

I'm a third year student of Economics + Environmental Management at the University of Toronto (UofT). Growing up between Spain and Peru, I noticed early on how people's backgrounds and lived experiences with climate shape their views and actions in the climate space. An enthusiast of tourism, gap years, and adventure, I embarked on a gap year before starting university to explore 30+ countries and test myself in places where I could barely say "hello" in. Upon starting university, I represented UofT at the United Nations Conference of the Parties in Azerbaijan, where I met some awesome, young climate leaders! I've also led climate awareness campaigns across schools in Romania, Finland, Poland, and Greece.  My interest in sustainability and my adventurous traveler side led me to pursuing Laidlaw Research. I am currently investigating how tourism management policies, particularly in Machu Picchu, may be replicable models to other UNESCO World Heritage sites. I hope to apply my research findings during my LiA, while visiting another world wonder! 

Hello! I’m a psychology researcher and the founder of HaHaHelps, a comedy-based psychosocial programme designed to support young people in residential care. I am currently completing an MSocSci in Psychology at the University of Cape Town, where my dissertation examines the feasibility of HaHaHelps with adolescents in South African child and youth care centres. My broader interests include youth mental health, psychosocial intervention development, implementation, participatory approaches, and the use of humour and play to support connection, emotional expression, self-efficacy, and coping with uncertainty. HaHaHelps grew out of my Laidlaw Leadership-in-Action project at SOS Children’s Villages in Cape Town, where I designed and facilitated an improv-comedy programme for adolescents. Since then, I have continued developing and delivering the programme with young people in residential care and am now studying how it can be refined, evaluated, and ultimately adapted for use in other communities and settings. Before this, my Laidlaw research at the University of Toronto examined relationships between childhood adversity, aggression, and self-regulation. I’d love to connect with other Laidlaw Scholars and alumni interested in youth mental health, social impact, intervention development, social entrepreneurship, or simply finding creative ways to turn research into something useful in the world.

2026 Laidlaw Scholar and student at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. Interested in the intersection of Public Health and International Relations and examining how political and cultural disparities translate to medicine and healthcare access. Honoured to join this talented network of skilled individuals. Feel free to reach out, I'd love to connect!   

Hi! My name is Maghai, and I am a rising junior at Georgetown University in Qatar studying International Politics. As a Laidlaw Scholar, I am conducting research on civilian perceptions of UN peacekeeping withdrawal in South Sudan and how local communities experience security and international intervention. Growing up through conflict and displacement has shaped my interest in community-centered policy, accountability, and research that elevates local perspectives in global decision-making.

Hi, I am Linh Khanh Pham, a Vietnamese student and an incoming third year studying Financial Economics and Mathematics at the University of Toronto as I believe that the best way to answer questions is through numbers. That is what brought me to research, and what keeps me going.  When I am not buried in problem sets, you will probably find me baking something (probably matcha flavored and convincing everyone around me that it belongs in everything :D)

Hi! My name is Sofia, and I am going into my third year at the University of Toronto, double-majoring in Neuroscience and Philosophy. I am originally from Helsinki, Finland, but I have moved around throughout my life, living in California and, most recently, Toronto, Canada.  My academic interests include neurodegenerative diseases, stem cells,  philosophy, and building healthier communities through translational research. I love rock climbing, cooking, trying different cuisines, reading, biking, and exploring new cities. 

Hello! My name is Alexander Wayne and I am a second year Philosophy and English student at the University of Toronto, Victoria College. My research focuses on autotheoretical transgender pornography and legislative studies, focusing on highlighting trans stories in our own voices. I am so excited to be apart of the Laidlaw Scholars Network and can't wait to get to know people - please feel free to reach out! 

Hi everyone, my name is Jayden! I'm entering my third-year at the University of Toronto, studying Environmental Health and Disease. My research and academic interests lie within digital health and emerging technologies, and this summer, I'll be researching AI implementation in healthcare.  I also love to read, talk about music, and go for drives! I'm looking forward to meeting everyone! 

Hello! My name is Payton Bonang and I am a student in Trinity College at the University of Toronto, St. George. I am pursuing an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree (HBA) with a major in Environmental Studies, a Certificate in Sustainable Pathways, and a double minor in Urban Studies and Forest Conservation.

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 a third-year architecture student at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto, pursuing additional majors in Religious Studies through the Department for Religion and Jewish Studies through the Anne Tanenbaum Centre for Jewish Studies. My research is focused on the critical role of design in history and its relationship to contemporary applications of design for state control. I am incredibly passionate about the future of design and how new frontiers can be assessed by analyzing the past.