I study Politics and Peace, Conflict, and Justice at the University of Toronto! Last summer, I researched historical maritime delimitation disputes between Canada and the United States. This summer, I'm working at the Centre for International Law at the National University of Singapore to research submarine cables and pipelines in the territorial sea.  I grew up between Singapore and Vancouver, which has undoubtedly influenced my current interest in global affairs and international relations. I love travelling (I'm hoping to travel to Morocco next), tennis (playing and watching), and reading. 

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. 

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.

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 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!

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)

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.

Hi! My name is Hana, and I'm entering my third year 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!

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! 

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!

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!

Hi, I'm Donya! I'm an English and History dual major at the University of Toronto with a passion for law, history, and research. Amongst other things, I am also passionate about National Treasure (2004). Feel free to connect!

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:)  

Hi there! I'm Ashiya, a member of the 2025 Leadership & Research Programme Cohort. I'm a student at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, studying a double major in Peace, Conflict & Justice and Ethics, Society & Law! I look forward to contributing to and reading the incredible body of work on this platform. I love learning new things, exploring unfamiliar topics and interests, so please feel free to reach out to connect over research, passions, or curiosity anytime! :) 

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!