Ecem Sungur

Research & Design Assistant, University of Toronto
Anuj (AJ) Manchanda

Lester B. Pearson and Laidlaw Scholar at the University of Toronto, University of Toronto

An ambitious student at the University of Toronto passionate about marketing, finance, and the intersection between business and social impact. With a burning desire to leverage entrepreneurship as a means to improve underprivileged communities, I spearheaded the Rescued Glass social enterprise to tackle waste management and support Thailand's Khlong Toey Slum community through upcycling used glass bottles into innovative household items. I find genuine fulfillment in experiencing and learning all that I can imagine. This mentality has empowered me to receive over 30 accredited licenses and certifications and pursue 7 professional working experiences thus far. In the process, I have gained proficiency in the technicalities of digital marketing, B2B/B2C sales, data analytics and e-commerce whilst honing my communication, interpersonal, and cooperative skills. Merging my passions with my ambition to make a meaningful difference in the world is intrinsically fulfilling. I have led several volunteer and service initiatives including organizing concerts to raise funds for endangered animals, participating in a microfinance/development bank, managing community social media pages, deploying artificial reefs in Thailand's islands, and more. I am humbled and grateful beyond words for the opportunities I have had thus far and am even more optimistic and motivated to continue experiencing, learning, and developing!
Campbell MacPherson

Research Officer and PhD Student, Carers Trust and the University of Glasgow

I was fortunate enough to conduct academic research under the supervision of Stephen Gethins,  Professor of Practice in International Relations at the University of St Andrews and now a sitting MP. Stephen introduced me to a truly fascinating yet often overlooked area of International Relations: sub-state and regional actors and their place in global politics, with a focus on Scotland in particular. Through this, I have developed an interest in Scotland's place in the world as a nation without an independent foreign office, but as a nation with extensive international influence and a powerful global diaspora. This topic formed the basis of my Laidlaw project, my undergraduate and postgraduate dissertation, and my PhD. I take a keen interested in other academic fields such as politics, history, and philosophy. Although an International Relations and Sociology student first and foremost, I had the opportunity of studying Ancient History and Classics alongside my degree for two years. If I were to ever win the lottery, you would find me endlessly cycling University, spending my remaining days studying Ancient History and Philosophy, Politics, Anthropology, Theology, Theoretical Physics and Maths, or whatever subject I develop an interest in down the line. Since leaving the University of St Andrews and the Laidlaw Programme, I completed an MRes degree at the University of Glasgow in Sociology and Research Methods. I received a scholarship for a PhD in Sociology at the University of Glasgow which I am completing part-time in addition to my role as Research Officer at Carers Trust Scotland - a charity supporting unpaid carers which I had previously volunteered for. My PhD is a continuation of my Scottish diaspora studies, seeking to reconcile the notion of 'civic Scottishness' with the Scottish identity of the lived diaspora.  
Isha Dinesh Sharma

Lester B. Pearson Scholar and Student Researcher, University of Toronto

Toronto based designer, researcher and community volunteer involved in interdisciplinary projects and student-led mentorship and leadership initiatives. My architecture work focuses on digital timber fabrication and AI computational architecture. I incorporate GIS, Grasshopper, Midjourney, Blender and other tools to look at architecture through a multifaceted lens and dissect problems pertaining to sustainability and urban planning, My other interests include advocacy, library-hopping and deep sea diving. I am always happy to connect over a coffee! 
Nathan Ching

Student, University of Toronto, St. George Campus

Hi! 🧐 My name is Nathan, and I am a coming Junior at the University of Toronto (St. George Campus) majoring in Criminology, Public Policy, with a minor in Political Science. My research project focuses on Criminal Law and Domestic Abuse cases, investigating the Criminal Justice System's role in breaking the cycle of violence that exists in domestic abuse cases. Outside of academics, I am a huge (and i mean humongous) fan of the arts! Film, photography, music, anything that expresses creativity is automatically a key to my heart. Drop a message and I'd be more than happy to connect with you! ⚡️
Priyansh Parakh

Student , University of Toronto

Salma Ragheb

Undergraduate Researcher, University of Toronto

I'm an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto double majoring in Neuroscience and Visual Arts. For my Laidlaw research project, I joined the Iscove lab in the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre to characterize the cell surface antigens on leukemic stem cells in a HOXB4-transgene-dependent leukemia model maintained in mice.  In the future, I am interested in working on research projects that combine neurobiology and immunology.
Aly Muhammad Sayani

Full-time student, University of Toronto

Hello there! My name is Aly, and I am a British undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, currently doing an International Affairs Specialist, with a Minor in Sustainability. My research project is → Linking Political orientation and Environmentalism: An analysis of changing environmental attitudes and subsequent party support in Canada. In my project, I aim to analyze the changing link between environmental attitudes and party support/political orientation in Canada, using Canadian Election Studies data from 2015 and 2019, and comparing my results with results from a previous study which carried out similar analysis on data from the 2004 and 2006 elections. I also hope to inform my analysis with a discussion of provincial differences in these links, hoping to shine a light on possible avenues towards improving engagement with voters for provincial elections which may help Canada in its terrible track record on improving its environment. 
Samraggi Hazra

Undergraduate Scholar, University of Toronto

Hi! My name is Samraggi Hazra, and I am a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto. I am pursuing a double major in International Relations and Ethics, Society, and Law, as well as a minor in Political Science. 
Peter Ma

Research Assistant, University of Toronto | UC Berkeley

Hey there! 👋 I'm a first-year student at the University of Toronto who's into machine learning, astronomy, and research. Currently, I'm an intern researcher at the UC Berkeley SETI Research Center to build a high-performance detection algorithm to search the nearest 1 million stars for signs of life beyond Earth using the VLA telescope and the MeerKAT telescope in South Africa. When I'm not looking for aliens I love rock climbing, painting, and enjoying the outdoors!
Asha Mior

Student Researcher, University of Toronto

Hi there! My name is Asha, and I am a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, where I study global health, political science, and psychology.  I was part of the 2021 Laidlaw Scholars cohort at UofT — my research summer focused on determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among ethnocultural minority communities in Canada, and my Leadership-in-Action project was with Tortoise Media in London, UK.  I'm always eager to chat about topics in global health, particularly public health policy, planetary health, and health equity! 
Pearls Eddo

Law (Industrial) LLB, University of Leeds

Hi👋🏾 I’m Pearls I am a final year Law student at the University of Leeds. I recently completed a placement year at The Walt Disney Company as a CPGP Contract Management Intern (hence the 'industrial' next to my degree title) My first-year research project looked at the way game-based learning could be incorporated into Multi-Academy Trusts (aka MATs) to improve the academic attainment and classroom engagement of GCSE-year black students. My Leadership-in-Action project was with MakeSense and focused on empowering minority communities within Mexico City.
Yusra Shafi

MSc Candidate, Columbia University (MSc) The University of Toronto, St. George (HBSc)

Hello! My name is Yusra, and I graduated from the University of Toronto, St. George, in 2023. I'm now currently doing my MSc. in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution at Columbia University.  My Laidlaw research utilizes the concepts of Self-determination theory, and focused on analyzing the biggest barriers to a 'positive' university experience, possible solutions that can be enacted, and how all these factors influenced student mental health.  My work now spans the intersection of mental health, conflict resolution, and social justice. I work as a Case Manager at an anti-human trafficking organization, and also work in the climate justice space with Canadian civil society.