Felipe Sarmiento Gómez (He/Him)

Student, University of Toronto
Drawing from an interdisciplinary framework, I broadly interrogate nationhood, citizenship, statelessness, and the distribution of rights. As a scholar, I hope to make my life a material of storytelling—seeking life with questions, wandering while film-making, and photography to capture spatial temporality.
Maïa Dastur

Philosophy Student, University College London

Philosophy student at UCL researching greenwashing in the fashion industry, with a specific focus on corporate disclosure of water information and water management. 
Oliver Righton

Laidlaw Alum, University of St Andrews

I'm a graduate of the MChem with Industrial Placement programme at St Andrews. My research focused on improvements to a Dye-Sensitised Solar Cell (DSSC) process used in the St Andrews undergraduate laboratory. For a brief overview, see my poster, or for a deeper dive you can read my research essay. My six week project was with _makesense Colombia and Picacho con futuro in Medellín to create socially innovative solutions to the challenges of sustainability and circular economy, designing and delivering workshops to understand what these concepts meant to the people and then to explore ways in which their lives intersect with the natural world. Academic Interests I'm currently researching solid-state materials including hexagonal tungsten bronzes and their structure-property relationships under selective doping. Outside of my research project, I'm also taking courses in catalysis, asymmetric synthesis and macromolecular bonding interactions. In my degree, I've also studied some astronomy and astrophysics - there's nothing like a good night looking at the stars! Personal Interests Outside of academic life, you'll find me always up for a board game (I was Secretary of a board game society once). I'm learning guitar, doing my best to pick French back up after a few years and have always been a great fan of cooking delicious food!
Ami Melville

English & Art History Student, University of St Andrews

Hello! I'm Ami, a fourth year English and Art History student from Upstate New York. My research interests include contemporary British and American drama, creative writing, Anglo Saxon, Older Scots, medieval folklore, Renaissance painting and the Dutch Golden Age. For my research project, I examined uses of anthropomorphism, or nonhuman voices, in Old and Middle English dream poetry. In my Leadership in Action project, I am now a Summer Teaching Fellow at the Los Angeles chapter of the nonprofit organization 826, which provides free writing workshops, tutoring and other educational opportunities for kids ages 6-18 around the US. I am assisting with teaching the 2024 Summer Writer's Workshops, as well as working individually with students on their creative writing pursuits.
Ros McAdden

Student, Trinity College Dublin

Laidlaw Scholar 2024/2025 Ancient & Medieval History & Culture (AMHC) Student at Trinity College Dublin Research Project Title: Late Devensian glaciation and its influence on medieval urban development in the Irish Midlands Interested in all things historical & environmental!
Poline Sidiropoulu

Electrical and Electronics engineer, University of Cambridge

Hi! I’m Poline, an engineering undergrad at the University of Cambridge. I am passionate about semiconductors and turning cars into sun-powered wonders. To do this, I’m exploring flexible perovskite solar cells that get attached to the curves of car roofs—think solar panels that bend instead of break! By tweaking their chemistry, we keep them efficient even when bent 🚗🌞
Ayoola Oshiyemi

Student, The London School of Economics and Political Science

Kate Dalrymple

Student, Durham University

Third year MEng undergraduate, particularly interested in biomedical engineering. 
Maggie Naylor

Law Student, Durham University

Artur Jan Figiel

Undergraduate Student, Durham University

Hi, I am a student at the University of Durham studying Theology and Religion. I was born in London, but am also from Poland. I am passionate about my course, but for me, the most captivating aspects of my degree have included the areas such as biblical studies, and the anthropology/sociology of religion.  Beyond my course, I am also a passionate language learner currently learning French and biblical Greek.  My career aspirations are open to continuing further education, becoming a teacher or lawyer, or joining the civil service. I am enthusiastic about the opportunities the Laidlaw Foundation provides and am excited to embark on this journey. 
Yamane Alhaj Kaddour

Student in Microengineering, EPFL

Hi! I'm a physics student at EPFL and more particularly interested in biophysics and statistical mechanics. I also love climbing and running.
Hi! I'm a student in micro-engineering at EPFL, interested in nano-science. I love travelling, biking and film-making.
Eoin David Williams

Student , University College London

UCL undergrad studying neuroscience with an intrest is psychological conditions. A proud and active socailist who at least tries to take action on a range of issues from government cuts to Palestine. History buff and gamer (I know, I should be ashamed, but it's true).  I try to be open and avaiable to talk :).
Sophia Brady (Previously: Waseem Khan)

Undergraduate, Durham University

Hi! I'm Sophia, an aspiring scientist and philomath. I love learning about everything and anything and delight in spending time with people who are passionate about the things they love! I am really interested and curious about how we can use chemistry to improve processes and products to help society. For example, my research project is looking into the possibility of turning struvite, a mineral which is a by-product of waste-water treatment processes into slow-release nitrogen and phosphorous fertilisers, which would be a green source nitrogen and phosphorous fertilisers and help achieve goals of zero-waste.  If you are researching something similar or are interested in learning more about the project, please reach out! I am super happy to talk about the project and meet other who are doing something similar and possibly collaborate! 
Leonardo Vilardo

Engineering Student, UCL

Hi! I'm Leo and I study Civil Engineering at University College London. My research project focused on integrating location-based datasets - one of the best ways to understand spatial matters and, thus, develop better decisions and policies. This is crucial to creating smarter and more sustainable cities, a topic I'm really interested in. I am passionate about improving infrastructure and addressing inequality, particularly social-environmental sustainability in urbanism and transportation. I aim to continue working in this field and collaborating with NGOs, so feel free to reach out if our interests align!
Candace Sara Ciju

Student, University of Toronto

Hi everyone! My name is Candace (she/her), and I am a third-year international student at the University of Toronto. I am originally from India, but was born and raised in the UAE. I am pursuing a double major in Peace, Conflict & Justice Studies and History. I am passionate about diplomacy and history, and deeply interested in legal discourse, debate, and various policy issues. Specifically, I am drawn to topics such as sustainability and climate policy, immigration, and community-based welfare.  My Laidlaw Summer I project will explore the potential for Faith-based organisations (FBOs) to work alongside newly emerging interfaith alliances to enhance their roles in philanthropy and development, while simultaneously preventing the development of a tradition of communal violence in India. My goal is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the activities of six Indian FBOs based on Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity, focusing on their impact on social cohesion, maximising welfare and the creation of communal harmony. 
Neha Gupta

Student Researcher, University of Toronto

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.