Hello! My name is Abril Rodriguez Calle, and I am a student at Columbia University studying Medical Humanities with the goal of eventually becoming a doctor. My interests lie in the intersection between medicine, the healthcare system, and ethics, especially in understanding how healthcare decisions and policies affect both patients and communities. This summer, I will be working with Dr. Sandra Lee on an NIH-funded research project exploring the ethical, legal, and social dimensions of global genomics research partnerships. The project examines how institutions and communities negotiate issues such as data ownership, privacy, benefit-sharing, and decision-making in genomics research, with the goal of creating a practical “negotiation playbook” to support more meaningful and equitable collaboration. As part of the research team, I will help analyze policies and institutional practices while gaining experience in qualitative research, bioethics, and global health policy.

Hi! I’m Katya, a third-year English and French student at the University of Leeds and part of the 2025/26 Laidlaw Scholar cohort, currently completing my LiA in Auckland, New Zealand.   My research project topic last summer was titled ‘Distinctiveness in the Poetry Activity of the Leeds City Region’. I worked in partnership with the National Poetry Centre to conduct interviews with key stakeholders in the poetry scene, which allowed me to draw conclusions about the levels of connectivity and accessibility of poetry in Leeds. I’m originally from Russia but moved to Slovenia for political reasons when I was 15, then to the UK at 19, and just completed an academic year abroad in Canada, so I’ve had a fair share of adapting to new places. Moving countries meant leaving behind everything I knew, including eight years of acrobatic gymnastics, but it also helped me become more open to change. I see each new chapter as a chance to grow, connect, and tell meaningful stories. Outside of uni, you’ll probably find me at the gym (a post-acrobatics obsession), with my nose in a book, or planning my next trip—I’ve been to 36 countries so far and don’t plan on slowing down!

Hi! I'm Radiyat, a Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Leeds. I'm extremely interested in healthcare inequality and what it compromises, patient advocacy, and improving experiences within the UK healthcare system. My research focuses on Catgorical thinking (the tendecy to make assumptions based on race, diagnosis, or racial stereotypes) as an issue in the treatment and lived experience of those with Sickle Cell Disease within the UK healthcare systems and wider society.  I aim to centre the voices of patients themselves, exploring how bias, misunderstanding, and systemic inequalities can affect pain management, trust in healthcare professionals, and access to quality care. Outside of research. I love staying active through badminton and going out on walks/hiking with freinds. I enjoy playing videogames and discussing politics 😊!  Please reach out to me If you'd like to talk about health equity, and ensuring underrepresented communities are genuinely heard within medical research and policy discussions. Or even to speak about new videogames or places to walk!

Hello! I'm Eugenia, a second-year undergraduate student studying Biomedical Sciences at The University of Hong Kong. I'm passionate about healthcare and biotechnology, particularly stem cells, cancer biology, genomics and neuroscience. I aspire to become a research scientist, designing experiments that lead to meaningful discoveries. I'm especially driven by the goal of promoting healthcare equity, and I hope my future work can contribute to solving global health challenges and improving access to effective treatments for all. So far, for my research project the first summer, I investigated how we could reprogram immunity to target the most common type of liver cancer, known as hepatocellular carcinoma. My project focused on a promising cancer treatment strategy known as chimeric antigen receptors (CAR), which enable immune cells to better recognise and eliminate cancer.  In my free time, you'll likely find me at a cafe with a friend or curled up with a good book (I especially enjoy historical fiction and mystery).  I love meeting new people and exchanging ideas, so please feel free to connect! :) Email: ecalvoprieto479@gmail.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-eugenia-calvo-prieto/

Reese Taylor is a rising junior majoring in Philosophy, History, and Human Rights on a pre-law track. As a Laidlaw Scholar, she spent her first summer researching the role of labor in the economic and social uplift of Black Americans in the wake of Reconstruction. She was selected to present this research at Johns Hopkins University, The University of Pennsylvania, and the Global Laidlaw Scholars Conference. In her second summer, Reese founded The Voices in Action Initiative which is a program developed to empower and mobilize youth voices by providing them skills and practice in speech and debate. She enacted the program in Nassau, Bahamas with sponsorship from both the Laidlaw Foundation and The Kiwanis Club of Nassau.

Terrah is a rising senior at Barnard College of Columbia University whose work focuses on educational equity, financial literacy, and college access. At 17, she founded Danalize, an initiative that helps students navigate financial aid offers, advocate for appeals, and build financial literacy skills. Through this work, she has supported more than 500,000 students worldwide. Terrah currently serves as Director of Financial Education at College for All, where she mentors students and develops resources reaching over 15,000 learners globally. She also contributes to the Academic Social Contract with Class Action, collaborating with students and legal professionals to advance equity in higher education. As Director of Operations for Connect on Campus, a nonprofit she helped found, she has supported fundraising and operational efforts that have helped students cover essential educational expenses. As a Laidlaw Scholar, Terrah researched the relationship between financial literacy and college access. Her work was selected as one of 25 projects across North America for publication through the 2025 Laidlaw Conference and Taylor & Francis. She has since presented her research at Harvard University and served as a student advocate on issues of economic opportunity and mobility at Barnard College faculty events. Her work has earned her a Truman Scholarship nomination, recognition as a Yale Launchpad Scholars finalist, and the Rising Star Leadership Award for her commitment to educational equity and student success.  In her free time, she enjoys café hopping, coloring, and playing Tomodachi Life. She can be contacted at: tdg2124@barnard.edu for any inquiries or requests for mentorship! :) 

Hi! I'm Madeleine, a rising junior at Barnard College, majoring in Urban Studies and Economics. In my first summer, I conducted quantitative and spatial research on housing inequity in Morningside Heights, utilizing statistical software and GIS tools to analyze data and spatial patterns, to better inform policy decisions. In my second summer, I am volunteering with Bybi, an urban beekeeping organization based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Bybi focuses on creating sustainable urban environments through beekeeping, local partnerships, and urban apiaries. 🇩🇰🐝🌿🌈🚲🍎⭐️

Hi! My name is Anagha (pronounced uh-nuh-guh) and I am an undergraduate at Barnard College in the Class of 2027. I am majoring in Sociology as a pre-medical student; I hope to pursue an MD-PhD in Medical Anthropology. My research this summer connects my academic interests in medical sociology and queer studies. Through exploring diverse forms of gender affirming care, I hope to understand how medical and spiritual healers help individuals transition. In my free time, I love junk journaling, singing in Barnard's a capella group, and trying new vegetarian recipes. I'd love to chat about anything from your latest cooking attempts to your favorite (or least favorite) sociological theories - please feel free to reach out and say hi! :)

I am a rising junior at Barnard College studying English and Education. I am passionate about expanding access to higher education for underrepresented communities and addressing disparities in K-12 education. This summer, I will conduct a comparative critical policy analysis of financial aid policies in New York and Georgia, examining how such policies impact students' access to higher education. As a future educator and educational researcher, this opportunity is invaluable for bridging my passion for research and education with meaningful advocacy.

Hello! My name is Frankie and I'm a rising junior from Sacramento, California working on a combined major in Art History and Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies. My academic interests center of medieval representations of the womb and fetus, midwifery, and domesticity. I want to explore how artistic representations of pregnancy offer insight into the legal and religious governance of abortion. Broadly, my research examines the intersections of gender, power, and reproduction in late medieval Europe.

I'm a current undergrad student at Barnard College pursuing a double-major in Theatre & Human Rights, with a minor in East Asian Studies. I'm often asked why I’m studying such seemingly divergent fields. For me, these subjects go hand in hand: my diplomacy and human rights practice are informed by an empathy uniquely cultivated from my experience in the arts; my acting on theatrical stages is enriched by my understanding of what is happening on the "world stage." Mastering both mediums is my answer to the seemingly unsolveable divisions we face today. My work bridges these fields in an innovative, urgent and radical effort to highlight our shared humanity at a time we need it most.

I am a rising Junior, pre-law student at Barnard College, Columbia University intending to major in History and minor in Philosophy . My academic interests are civil rights law, ethics, intellectual history, education policy, and disability studies. As a Laidlaw scholar I draw from my academic interests and personal experiences to conduct research on the use of restraint and seclusion in special education. I am eager to use my research experience and education in my future law career to further social equality.

Hello everyone! My name is Stella Dull, and I'm a rising junior at Barnard College double majoring in East Asian Studies and Applied Math. My research interests lie in the intersection between environmental justice, political theory, and renewable energy. Last summer, I researched China’s approach to green industrial policy and their associated outcomes through a political theorist lens with Professor Alyssa Battistoni. This summer, I will be traveling to China to work with an environmental NGO called Green Camel Bell, where I will help lead an environmental educational summer program for youth.

Hi! I'm Eedha, a rising sophomore at Barnard College, Columbia University, where I’m majoring in English with a concentration in Creative Writing (and maybe minoring in French, too!). My love for storytelling has shaped both my academic journey and my Laidlaw research. I'm exploring the role of happy endings in children’s literature: can stories that end well do more than comfort? Can they spark resilience, hope, and a sense of agency in young readers facing an uncertain world? Through this project, I hope to better understand the quiet power of optimism in shaping childhood and how literature might offer more than escape.