Hello everyone!  I'm Veronika, a 3rd year life science engineering student at EPFL, and part of the Laidlaw Scholars Board. I'm a strong proponent of mitigating existential risks, of which I'm feverishly passionate about research in biosecurity and infectious disease. As a Laidlaw Scholar, I did my research in the Laboratory of Digital Epidemiology on approximations of human-like crowd behavior during pandemics with AI agents, with the goal of creating an epidemiological model that can quickly and cheaply simulate dynamic crowd behavior. In my free time, I love to garden - I'm currently in the process of growing purple sweet potatoes native to Asia. I'm also currently learning oil painting, absolutely love camping whenever I can, and I'm a big fan of metal music and love to go to concerts.   Our goal in the Laidlaw Board is to make the program better for you (and for future cohorts)! So if you have any questions, complaints, compliments, or suggestions for the Laidlaw Scholars program, feel free to reach out by sending a message on here, on LinkedIn, or using this anonymous form --> https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=m1iBtASKYUmzmpVa7SUZOYAOFAGNJNdOhV2pziMDdMZURFE0SEkxVTFDSEQ2TjhXR0cwNlNSMUFKUy4u&route=shorturl

Hi everyone! My name is Caroline, and I am a rising fourth-year at the University of Toronto pursuing a double major in Public Policy and Sociology, and a minor in Education and Society. As a Laidlaw Scholar, I investigated the factors that influence cross-national educational disparities in a study comparing Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. I hope to further investigate such inequalities to bridge systemic gaps in social mobility in my future academic and professional endeavours. Some of my interests include track and field, playing violin, and spending time outdoors. Please feel free to reach out; I would love to connect! 

My name is Sophie (she/her) and I am from South Wales but am currently studying International Relations and Social Anthropology at the University of St Andrews. My Laidlaw research project will be studying how nostalgia for life in the former East Germany continues to affect politics in today's reunified Germany, in particular Germany's foreign policy towards Russia. This research is trying to explore the legacy of the Cold War in Europe and how its effects continue to be lived by people today. One thing I am particularly excited about with this research is that I will be going to Berlin for a week to conduct ethnographic research (interviews and participant observation) with former citizens of East Germany.   In my free time, I like to read anything i can get my hands on, as well as cook a lot and try different recipes from around the world. I also really love travelling and exploring new places.  I'd love to connect with someone who is interested in politics and diplomacy or otherwise shares my interests. And if you have any questions about my research, I'd love to chat about it!

Associate Director, International Student Experience and Global Fluency at the Centre for International Experience at the University of Toronto. Experienced professional with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Skilled in Program Development, Leadership, Crisis Management, Public Speaking, and Management. Strong community and social services professional with a Master of Education (M.Ed.) focused in Higher Education Administration from Boston University.

Hi everyone, I am thrilled to be joining the 2024 Laidlaw Cohort. I am an incoming third-year undergraduate student studying Political Science and Psychology at the University of Toronto, and my hometown is Edmonton, Alberta. Some of my hobbies include music, volleyball, hiking, and making new friends. Shoot me a message and I would love to get in touch!

As a student of Health & Disease, Immunology as Psychology, I am eager to pursue a career in medicine or research! I am deeply passionate about menstrual health 

Hello! I'm Tyler Carriaga, a recipient of a full-ride merit scholarship at the University of Toronto, where I'm studying Architecture and Public Policy. I strive to continue evolving my personal and technical skills in my journey of learning how to help (quite literally) build greener, more resilient, and equitable communities.

Hello! I'm Petrina and I'm currently studying philosophy at the University of Toronto. As a member of the 2024 Laidlaw Scholars cohort, I am interested in philosophy, specifically philosophy of religion and phenomenology. 

Hi everyone! My name is Lilah and I am going into my fourth year at the University of Toronto studying Economics and International Relations. I am deeply passionate about climate justice, and am particularly interested in exploring how public policy can be used to mitigate the climate crisis.

Laidlaw Scholar Alumna at Oxford University's Saïd Business School, I'm often found at the piano🎹, mesmerized in a theatre🎭, or painting away the night with friends🎨.  If our paths align in interests or work, why not connect? Ping me, and let's connect on LinkedIn.

Hello, I'm Chiara! I'm a student of Political Science, Ethics, Society & Law, and Urban Studies at the University of Toronto. I'm incredibly interested in studying social movements, especially the more right-leaning movements formed recently in the internet age. In my free time, I paint and play video games!

Hello everyone! My name is Kira, and I am going into my second year of undergraduate studies double majoring in Political Science and Philosophy at the University of Toronto. My research interests focus on climate politics and environmental ethics/governance, which complements my Laidlaw project on climate consciousness in undergraduate students. I enjoy spending time outdoors (when it's nice out) and participating in various extracurricular activities. I am very excited to be part of this 2024 cohort and look forward to seeing what we all accomplish!

Hi there 👋 I'm Neha Gupta, a fourth year student at the University of Toronto.  I'm interested in the law, peace-making, diplomacy and human rights.  My Summer I project looked at how paediatric oncology patients in nations with universal healthcare plans access psychosocial support. In Summer II, I hope to work with an organization to give marginalized communities (particularly women) the institutional support they need to stand up to injustices they face.  My Summer II LiA had me working with United Women Singapore to promote their women in STEM and women's empowerment initiatives. I focused on story-telling, digital communication and community building. 

Hello! My name is Cecilia, and I am entering my fourth year majoring in Peace, Conflict, and Justice Studies, with minors in political and applied data science at the University of Toronto. Throughout my time at UofT, I have developed a deep interest in the complexities of crime, particularly the powerful influence of organized criminal networks. 

Ciao! I am Gio, a fourth-year student of Economics and Political Science at the University of Toronto. I hail from the country of Georgia, nestled between Europe and Asia, with a millenia-old culture and history. This Summer I am immersing myself in a small coastal town in Northern Japan to work together with local students in uncovering societal impacts of marine climate change. Global warming is a generational challenge and its effects are highly varied from community to community across the globe. I hope to engage in discussions with my fellow students in Japan and facilitate a series of ArcGIS workshops in order to map the implications of climate change on Sanriku coast. I would love to have a chat, especially if you also like food, geography, or world history!

Hi everyone! My name is Lia and I just finished my second year at the University of Toronto studying English, political science and gender studies. As a member of the 2024 Laidlaw Scholars cohort, I am interested in exploring the intersection of literature and politics, particularly in mitigating harmful tropes in representation. I grew up in the United Kingdom and Canada, and I had the opportunity to study at Pearson College UWC in Victoria, British Columbia.

Interested in Alzheimer's Disease, my research focuses on determining whether human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cerebral organoids could serve to accurately and efficiently model Alzheimer's Disease pathobiology. My involvement with dementia patients as a volunteer has deepened my awareness of the lifestyles of not only the patients but also their caregivers, family, and friends. Witnessing the widespread impact of Alzheimer's Disease, I aspire to contribute meaningfully to our understanding of this affliction. I am driven by a passionate commitment to pave the way toward the development of superior care strategies, innovative treatments, and, ultimately, a definitive cure.

Hi, my name is Amelia and I'm part of the 2024 cohort! I'm passionate about innovation, technology, and design, and how they each intersect with politics. In my first summer, I examined protest art from the 2019 Anti-ELAB movement in Hong Kong. My interest in this topic stems from cultural ties to Hong Kong, my high school visual arts education, and a desire to partake in a broader discussion on links between art and politics. Outside of Laidlaw, I'm also examining links between artificial intelligence and military development. Beyond academia, I love photography, art, and exploring the city with friends. Feel free to reach out!

Hello! My name is Alanna, I'm a 2024 Laidlaw Scholar and a final year BSc (Hons) Psychology student from the University of Toronto. I am a youth mental health advocate and the CEO and Founder of non-profit organization HOPE (Helping Our Planet Earth) and Board Member of registered charity Narrative 4.  My work at HOPE focuses on making mental health support accessible to youth internationally through mental health education, empathy and youth leadership empowerment. We are excitedly working on digital mental health tech - more on this soon! I love connecting with others and hearing about what you're passionate about, so do reach out and chat anytime!