Hello everyone. My name is Samantha and I am junior in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. I am pursuing a major in International Politics and a minor in Cognitive Science. I am originally from Connecticut. In my free time, I enjoy reading realistic fiction novels and going on walks. For my research summer, my faculty mentored project was titled African American Resiliency in the British Caribbean and I conducted research under Professor Anita Gonzalez of the American American Studies Department at Georgetown. The project focused on Cat Island, one of the out islands in The Bahamas, and explored the culture of Cat Island by mapping the island’s foodways, music traditions, and histories. Research methods included conducting oral interviews with local residents of Cat Island and participating in cultural practices. Ultimately, the project examined how Bahamian culture reflects the resiliency of Black populations that have survived forced migration and enslavement in the Caribbean. For my Leadership-in-Action project, I worked at Yahad - in Unum in Paris, France. The nonprofit is dedicated to investigating mass atrocities through interviewing witnesses and examining the sites of mass graves. Currently, Yahad has ongoing investigations in Eastern Europe, Guatemala, Iraq, and Ukraine. Additionally, the organization prioritizes genocide education. My independent project is dedicated to creating a Holocaust education workshop in collaboration with a museum in South Africa.

Hello! My name is Talia Zamir and I'm a rising third-year at Georgetown University. I am studying Biology of Global Health intending to pursue a master's in Genetic Counseling following graduation. I hope to help expecting parents or adults with familial histories of hereditary cancer syndromes understand their risk and make informed health decisions for themselves and their families! I aim to contribute to policy regarding genetic safety and laws protecting individuals from genetic discrimination in the US. This summer, I am researching community resources for mothers surviving breast cancer or ovarian cancer in the Ashkenazi Jewish community, intending to expand my research to how community-based organizations can help other high-risk minority groups. My research builds upon my experience as a research assistant at a health behavior and cancer prevention lab at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center's Division of Population Science. A fun fact about me is that I'm from Salt Lake City, Utah which is the same place that all the high school musical movies were filmed!  Please don't hesitate to reach out, especially if it's to talk about policy/medical research or to connect over some of our shared interests :) !

Hi! I am a rising third-year in the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in neurobiology and minoring in science, technology, and international affairs. During my research summer, I will be using metagenomics to study the diversity and ecological role of viruses in Antarctic soil microbial communities with the Johnson Biosignatures Lab at Georgetown. To give some context, metagenomics is a powerful bioinformatics sub-discipline that leverages genetic sequencing and data processing technologies to study microbial communities in their natural environments. Not only does this research allow us to better understand the ecological structure of environmental microbial ecosystems and how they play critical roles in cycling nutrients at a planetary scale, but studying microbial life can help us understand how life evolved on Earth in the first place. As we continue to overshoot planetary boundaries on Earth while simultaneously exploring deeper into outer space, these questions of how does our planetary system really work and what could such a living system look like on other planets become more and more important.  If you're interested in reaching out to talk about biology, any of my "hobbies," your research, or anything else, feel free!!

I am a senior at Georgetown University, studying International Politics in the School of Foreign Service. I am also a journalism minor.  Some of the organizations I am involved in are the the Free Speech Project, the rock climbing team, and the Georgetown Resident Assistant Coalition (GRAC). I am also the photo editor and a news & features writer for the Georgetown Voice.  In my free time, I can often be found working on my embroidery, seeing movies, writing letters to my sister, and reading.  Last summer, I worked with Georgetown faculty member Yuki Kato to research multigenerational urban farming. Historical local food provisioning practices among BIPOC communities in US cities have not been systematically documented, but there has been a significant increase in the quantity and prominence of younger generation growers in many American cities. This is an interdisciplinary research that aims to understand the aspirations and practices of contemporary urban growers in the context of the history of urban gardening and farming among BIPOC communities in the city. The contemporary inquiry component of the project examines the aspirations, practices, and challenges of the new generation of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) urban growers. More specifically, this component examines how the new generation of growers understand the historical precedent of urban folk cultivation and view their practices in connection with their ancestral land, identities, and knowledge. This summer, I am interning as a reporter and photographer with the Minnesota Reformer. 

My name is Fathia Fasasi, and I am a rising sophomore at Georgetown University with hopes of majoring in Global Health and minoring in sociology. A fun fact about me is that I was hit by a motorcycle at five years old (I'm fine now, lol!). I am involved in a faculty project called The Black Central Americas (BCA) this summer. I am primarily engaged in the first phase, "Constellating Black Central America," where we focus on researching cities and documenting their histories, cultures, and migration patterns. Our primary aim with this project is to fill in the historical gaps of these cities and create a valuable resource for future researchers interested in this history.

I am an American Studies major at Georgetown in the class of 2027. I am from Baltimore which is where my research project is based. This summer, I am working with Georgetown Law Professor Monica Sanders on the "Ten States Project." We are working in conjunction with community leaders in neighborhoods in West Baltimore that have been systemically excluded from broadband internet access and face disproportionate climate related threats. West Baltimore is home to historic Black neighborhoods like Park Heights and Sandtown that have their own unique and dedicated community organizations and organizers. One component of my project is to highlight and asset map the many mutual aid networks and community resources in these neighborhoods. Often asset maps frame communities in terms of which public or private resources they consume, but our work is focused on highlighting the resources that people and organizations offer each other. The other primary goal of the project is to identify and support solutions to the stark digital inequity that simultaneously contributes to systemic poverty and prevents adequate risk reduction around climate issues in Baltimore. Maryland is not one of the 19 states that prohibit the development of public broadband and there are local organizations such as Rowdy Orbit that focus on building networks of community wifi. These networks offer internet with higher capacities at fractions of the costs of national internet providers which has become vital in order for neighborhoods to thrive. I am working with Rowdy Orbit and community leaders to research and pursue effective methods of building community broadband that is designed to meet the specific needs of each neighborhood. The expansion of internet access is closely related to improving environmental conditions in these neighborhoods especially as it plays a crucial role in their ability to prepare for and respond to climate impacts and disasters. 

Hello! My name is Claire Auslander and I'm a rising third-year at Georgetown University. I am studying nursing with the goal of earning my doctorate in midwifery/obstetrics & gynecology. I hope to dedicate my career to advancing reproductive freedom through healthcare delivery, research, and advocacy!  This summer, I worked as a student nurse intern at the Alaska Native Medical Center's Family Birthing Services unit. I delivered culturally responsive nursing care under preceptor supervision on a high-risk, tertiary referral labor and delivery unit within the largest tribally managed health system in the US. My goal was to further elucidate my understanding of how sociocultural and religious influences shape patient decision-making, provider-patient communication, and access to reproductive services. Last summer, I researched the relationship between U.S. contraceptive policy and religiosity. More specifically, I looked at state legislation relating to insurance coverage of contraceptives and the relationship, if any, between religious service attendance. My research builds upon my experience as a research assistant in health policy and maternal health and I'm thrilled to explore the intersection of my interests!  A fun fact about me is that I'm from the San Francisco Bay Area but my family moved around a lot when I was younger. I've lived in Northern and Southern California, Texas, Massachusetts, Switzerland, and Washington, DC! Please don't hesitate to reach out, especially if it's to talk about policy/medical research or share your favorite music! 

Hi! My name is Allie. I am currently a junior at Georgetown University majoring in International Politics, minoring in Education, Inquiry, and Justice, and pursuing a certificate in Diplomatic Studies. I love reading, playing tennis, and playing music (piano, violin, and oboe). In the future, I am interested in seeking ways to use policy to address issues in society. This past summer (2024), I completed a faculty-proposed research project titled the Black Central Americas Project. I am researching the history and culture of several cities in Central America. The research will soon be released onto a website to become an educational resource highlighting Black Central America's dynamic diasporas. This summer (2025), I traveled to the US-Mexico border for experiential community-based learning about experiences of individuals in the border region.

Hello,  My name is Ema Eguchi and I am an undergraduate student at Georgetown University. I am studying Culture and Politics, with minors in Global Development and Journalism. My research for the Laidlaw Scholars Program is entitled The Role of the Australia Group in US Biosecurity Policy. I am excited to get to know you all and please feel free to let me know if you are also interested in the impact of international NGOs on governments, or broadly, any other topics of international affairs.  I love cooking, hot springs, and beaches! 

Hi! My name is Annabelle Kim and I'm a rising second-year at Georgetown University. I am majoring in Public Policy, planning on minoring in Economics and Education, Inquiry, and Justice. I'm from the San Francisco Bay Area–Pleasanton, CA to be specific. Throughout my studies and my career, I hope to contribute to improving educational equity in the U.S. K-12 system, with a special focus on marginalized students within high-performing districts.  This summer, I am researching within-district disparities between continuation high schools and comprehensive high schools in California. Continuation schools (alternative high schools for students at risk of not graduating) have higher per-pupil funding than their traditional brick-and-mortar counterparts. Despite this, facilities and services provided to these students often fall far behind--I hope to clarify why that might be. My research builds on my experience researching school funding decisions nationwide with a faculty member of Georgetown's McCourt School of Public Policy.  A fun fact about me is that I've technically flown a plane before I got my driver's license...and that even now I'd far prefer flying a plane to driving on a California freeway. 

Hello, my name is Austin Huang, and I am a rising sophomore in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown. I am majoring in International Politics, with minors in Asian Studies and Chinese. As a part of the Laidlaw Programme, I am excited by the chance to engage with other students from across the world and learn from their unique, valuable perspectives. Getting the opportunity to hear from such diverse scholars is especially exciting, and I can't wait see the depth and breadth of work that my fellow scholars have been doing! My own interests lie in Asia-Pacific policy, both within the region and how it interacts with the rest of the world. I am particularly interested in how the relationship between the US and China impacts the region, as well as how different models and systems of governance in the region influences political dynamics. I look forward to being a Laidlaw Scholar, and having access to a wide network of talented and diverse scholars to learn and grow from. 

Hello! My name is Alex Zuehlke and I'm a rising junior at Georgetown University. I am majoring in Economics with a minor in Tech, Ethics, and Society. I'm originally from Madison, Wisconsin!  Last summer, I researched the health insurance literacy of college students---looking further into how students' knowledge of the US health insurance system affects their ability to access adequate and timely healthcare.  Outside of Laidlaw, I love to draw, go on walks, and explore D.C.'s coffee scene. I can't wait to read all about other research topics and connect with you all. I would love to chat about research and I'm always open to a good coffee shop recommendation. 

Hi!  My name is Ajay Nathan and I am an undergraduate junior at Georgetown University studying Science, Technology, and International Affairs on a pre-medical track.  I am a member of Georgetown's second annual Laidlaw cohort, participating in research regarding a potential opioid crisis in India during my first summer and participating in a leadership-in-action project my second summer.  I am an eager and driven individual who likes to expand my interests and skillsets often. 

Hi everyone!  I am a rising sophomore at Georgetown University double-majoring in Government and Justice and Peace Studies with a minor in Sociology. I am interested in labor advocacy and labor law. I hope to get a JD in Employment and Contract Law and work at a union-side employment firm or plaintiffs' firm. After law school, I hope to either work on the political side of major American unions or specialize in a subsector of labor law such as entertainment labor in Hollywood. On the side, I am an avid runner (both long-distance and short) and exclusively drink black Americanos!

Colleen manages the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme at Georgetown University. Through her work, Colleen aims to increase accessibility in fellowships advising for all Georgetown students with a special focus on reflective practices intended to help students identify and develop personal and career goals. Prior to joining Georgetown University, Colleen served as the Assistant Director for Early Career Initiatives with NASPA- Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, where she managed professional development programs for undergraduate student, graduate student, and new professional members. Colleen holds a master’s degree in Student Development in Higher Education from the University of Maine and bachelor’s degrees in Women and Gender Studies and Anthropology from the University of Delaware.

Hi! My name is Laura Montgomery, and I am a rising third year student from Ann Arbor, Michigan, attending Georgetown University. Currently, I am planning to major in Mathematics and to double-minor in Women and Gender Studies and French. My research project is Coding Gender: Exploring the Presence of Gender Stereotyping in ChatGPT. With its release in November 2022, ChatGPT has taken the world by storm, causing many to speculate that this AI program’s capability will significantly impact not only America’s technological field, but also the functioning of America and its education system. My research will analyze ChatGPT through a gendered lens, examining the language of its generated responses and comparing its gender-biased levels to other AI technology. My investigation will primarily focus on ChatGPT’s language translation service and how it responds to transcribing gender-neutral English sentences into gendered languages.  When I'm not studying/working, I like to read, thrift, or take long walks and explore DC! I am super excited about participating in this program and undergoing research! Please do not hesitate to reach out, and I look forward to meeting all of you. Hoya Saxa!

Hello! I'm Cynthia, a second-year at Georgetown University studying Regional and Comparative Studies with a concentration in Asia. I'm originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. My research project centers around the role of contemporary minority ethnic music in the People’s Republic of China in constructing ethnic identity. I chose this project because studying contemporary music provides unique and living insight into the critically important cultural and political landscapes within the People’s Republic of China. When I'm not studying or working, I love knitting, reading, thrifting, and a long walk to explore D.C. — all while fueled by an americano, cold brew, or matcha if I'm feeling adventurous :)  Please feel free to send me a message if you want to chat! I would love to hear about you, your research project, and any knowledge you may have that could contribute to my work.