Donya Tavakol (She/Her)

Undergraduate Research Scholar, University of Toronto
Alsade Daley

Student, University of Toronto

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. 
Nadine Maayah

Student, University of Leeds

Hello! My name is Nadine, and I am a second-year Genetics student at the University of Leeds. I am interested in pursuing a career in research and global health, with a particular focus on cardiovascular science and immunology. I am passionate about addressing pressing global health challenges through impactful solutions that improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. I strongly believe that healthcare should be accessible to all communities worldwide, and I am committed to contributing to this goal. Through my leadership and medical communications experience, I have developed strong interpersonal and organizational skills, and I am now eager to expand into more lab-based roles where I can contribute directly to improving patient care and advancing scientific research. This summer, I will be joining a research team at the Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, where we will investigate a novel molecular pathway involved in the progression of cardiovascular disease in individuals with insulin resistance. This opportunity will allow me to deepen my understanding of translational research and its potential to improve health outcomes. Although still early in my journey, I am excited to begin my Leadership-in-Action project and explore how meaningful research can be applied to real-world health challenges. The Middle East faces a particularly high incidence of cardiovascular disease, with heart disease accounting for approximately one in three deaths annually and occurring, on average, at least a decade earlier than in many Western countries. As a Laidlaw Scholar, I hope to use my platform to contribute to tackling this growing crisis and promoting more equitable global healthcare outcomes.
Galiya Akhmetova

Student | Researcher, The University of Hong Kong

Hi~ My name is Galiya, I'm from Kazakhstan, currently based in Hong Kong. Love learning about different cultures and languages, so if you want to connect and discuss literally anything, hit me up on DMs :D Briefly about my interests and achievements: I am interested in AI ethics and learning science and have built a track record at the intersection of education and AI.  My experience spans teaching, admissions consulting, and content creation in international environments across Kazakhstan, South Korea, Italy, and Hong Kong. I am particularly interested in improving access to global education and how AI is reshaping the traditional forms of education. Currently, I am developing research through the Laidlaw Scholars Programme, focusing on university-level assessment methods in the context of GenAI.
Thai Hai An Phung

Lester B. Pearson Scholar, Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto

Hi! My name is Thai Hai An Phung, but I go by Ami. I am a second-year Chemical Engineering student at the University of Toronto. I was born in Vietnam and have had the privilege of living in Myanmar, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, Ukraine, and the UK, where I recently graduated from boarding school. I am passionate about energy, hydrogen, sustainability, materials science, and innovation, and I am especially interested in how engineering can contribute to scalable solutions for decarbonizing large industries. My research will be focused on evaluating mechanical performance and surface quality of novel carbon-mineralized cement! Outside of academics, I love travelling, hiking, spending time in nature, exploring different cuisines, following motorsports, and trying new experiences. I am excited to be part of the Laidlaw Scholars Community so please feel free to reach out!
Rebecca Liu

Laidlaw Scholar, University of Toronto

Hello! My name is Rebecca Liu, and I am a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto. I am pursuing a double major in Public Health and Peace, Conflict, and Justice, with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. For my Laidlaw research, I am examining global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) policy through a gender-inclusive and gender transformative perspective. The goal of my research is to understand how global policy guidance can be improved to better address the AMR global health crisis for marginalized groups of gender and sexuality.
Leora Kasneci

Student, University of Toronto

Hi! I'm Leora and I'm a member of the 2026 cohort at UofT. I'm going into my third year, double majoring in Peace, Conflict and Justice and Women and Gender Studies. My research interests are piqued in many different areas, but most strongly in global affairs, structural violence, peace-building, reproductive justice, and transnational feminism.  In my free-time I like to read, create new playlists, and browse vintage fashion markets.
Lila Sparks

Laidlaw Scholar, The Universirty of Toronto

Hello everyone!  My name is Lila Sparks and I am going into my third year at the University of Toronto, where I am pursuing a double major in International Relations and Peace, Conflict & Justice studies! This summer I am researching the social and ecological impacts that data centres have on indigenous communities in Canada. I'm so excited to learn from you all:)  
Aron Pechy

Student, University of Toronto

Hi everyone,  My name is Aron Pechy and I am a second-year student at the University of Toronto, originally from Budapest, Hungary. I am planning to pursue a double major in Public Policy and Peace, Conflict and Justice with a minor in Sexual Diversity Studies.   My research project is titled Regulating LGBTQ Visibility through Child Protection and Media Law: A Comparative Doctrinal Analysis of Russia, Hungary and Bulgaria under EU Legal Frameworks. My academic interests are mainly centred around policy, law and governance with a particular focus on LGBTQIA+ legal advocacy. In my free time, I enjoy running, hiking, travelling and visiting modern art galleries.  I am always happy to connect; feel free to reach me on any of my socials!
Hana Greenberg

National Scholar, University of Toronto

Hi! My name is Hana, and I'm a third year student at the University of Toronto majoring in Political Science and minoring in both Applied Data Science and Creative Writing. My academic interests lie in the intersections between technology and society; I'm particularly interested in how artificial intelligence interacts with and affects human communities. In my free time, I love to learn new languages (I speak 5 fluently!), train capoeira, cook, and write. Please feel free to reach out. I look forward to meeting more people in the Laidlaw community!
Pranav Chaturvedi

Student, University of Toronto

Hi! I'm Pranav, a third-year undergraduate at the University of Toronto, originally from the New York City metropolitan area—double majoring in Economics, with a focus in Data Analytics, and Public Policy, while also pursuing a certificate in Business Fundamentals and minor in South Asian Studies. My research interests are highly interdisciplinary, across socio-economic and tech policy, and the law—with a broad passion for global politics as well as focused interest in South Asian regional affairs and community-based impact. I'm always happy to chat with others and love to learn from my peers—please don't hesitate to reach out to me!