Hannah Watton (She/Her)

Hello! My name is Lochlann, and I am a student at Trinity College Dublin and part of the 2026 cohort of Laidlaw Scholars. My Summer 1 research project focuses on the role of private supplementary tuition (“grinds”) in the academic achievement gap between public and private schools in Ireland. Using quantitative analysis of Irish educational data, I aim to investigate whether access to grinds contributes to differences in examination performance and broader educational inequality. Through this research, my overarching goal is to contribute to conversations surrounding fairness, access to opportunity and educational policy. By examining how socio-economic advantage may shape educational outcomes, I hope to better understand the structures that influence inequality within education systems. If you have any questions or would like to connect, please feel free to reach out!

Hey everyone! My name is Karthik Mahakala, and I am a rising Sophomore studying Environmental Biology at Columbia College. Specifically, I am extremely passionate about environmental health sciences, which encompasses how physical, chemical, and biological factors in the natural and built environments impact public health.  This summer, I will be evaluating the reliability of consumer-facing packaging signals for skin-lightening products across Northern Manhattan as a research assistant in the Llanos Lab.

I'm a third year student of Economics + Environmental Management at the University of Toronto (UofT). Growing up between Spain and Peru, I noticed early on how people's backgrounds and lived experiences with climate shape their views and actions in the climate space. An enthusiast of tourism, gap years, and adventure, I embarked on a gap year before starting university to explore 30+ countries and test myself in places where I could barely say "hello" in. Upon starting university, I represented UofT at the United Nations Conference of the Parties in Azerbaijan, where I met some awesome, young climate leaders! I've also led climate awareness campaigns across schools in Romania, Finland, Poland, and Greece.  My interest in sustainability and my adventurous traveler side led me to pursuing Laidlaw Research. I am currently investigating how tourism management policies, particularly in Machu Picchu, may be replicable models to other UNESCO World Heritage sites. I hope to apply my research findings during my LiA, while visiting another world wonder! 

I’m Oumou, someone who loves action, movement, and meaningful human connections. It’s no surprise that I’m naturally drawn to humanitarian action and volunteering. I study economics with the goal of working in policy implementation and peace-building initiatives, where I hope to contribute to solutions that improve people’s lives. I have volunteered at SOS Children’s Villages in Senegal as a French and mathematics tutor and participate yearly in the Emirates Red Crescent Ramadan Iftar distribution in collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi. I have also worked in operations at FedEx’s delivery unit, managed the social media accounts of a real estate company for two months, and interned in several customer service units. Random? At first sight, yes. But when I look deeper into this puzzle, I realize that every experience has offered me opportunities for creativity, innovation, and human interaction. Whether I was tutoring children, coordinating deliveries, or communicating with customers, I found myself drawn to environments where I could connect with people and contribute in tangible ways. Outside of academics, I enjoy solo sports and hobbies like reading, cooking, and painting, which allow me to reconnect with myself.

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!   

Hello! My name is Christian Rebolledo, a rising sophomore in Columbia College at Columbia University studying Political Science and Medical Humanities with a Special Concentration in Public Health. I am passionate about intersecting the worlds of public health with political advocacy: people are social, and thus political. I am passionate about community building, civic engagement, and building systems for the next generation of leaders across disciplines. For my first summer as a Laidlaw scholar in the 2026 cohort, I will be characterizing postmortem data from ICE detention centers to identify trends across factors relatd to social determinants of health. I look forward to uncovering the quantitative facets of qualitative reporting currently populating the literature on carceral justice and public health.

I am a second year Geography and International Relations student at the University of St Andrews and Laidlaw Scholar. My research focuses on the long-term, gendered economic effects of dual caregiving, specifically how social class origin shapes retirement wealth outcomes for the sandwich generation. Outside of research, you'll find me on the golf course or taking a walk along the beautiful beaches in this small town!

Hi! I'm Emma and I'm a second year undergraduate student at the University of Leeds studying French and Italian. This summer I will undertake research for the project 'Listening to Feminist Art Histories: Researching and Sharing Voices from the FAMH Oral History Archive'. The Feminist Art Making Histories digital archive consists of interviews with artists, curators, and writers in the UK and Ireland from the 1970s onwards, exploring the relation between feminism and art. My findings will form part of Dr Elspeth Mitchell and the FAMH team's wider work of foregrounding the experiences of women artists in an engaging and accessible way to the public. My interest in intersectional feminism and of the importance of representation drew me towards this project, and I'm looking forward to engaging with feminst art histories with the FAMH. As a Modern Languages student and a native Welsh speaker, I'm passionate about languages and cross-cultural communication. I'm particularly interested in the way languages shape identities and build communities. Outside of my studies I enjoy reading, running, baking and travelling. I'm excited to begin my journey of research and leadership as a Laidlaw Scholar as well as connecting with other Scholars across the Global Network!

Hi, I'm Lorena Rodriguez, a sophomore at Cornell University studying Industrial and Labor Relations. I'm passionate about law, public service, and supporting communities that face barriers to accessing legal and educational resources. Over the past year, I've sought out opportunities that align with those interests. I volunteer as an ESL tutor with Friends of Farmworkers, where I teach English to Spanish-speaking farmworkers in one-on-one virtual sessions. I also serve as the organization's Social Media Chair, creating content and outreach strategies to increase engagement and connect more students with our mission. This summer, I'm completing my Leadership-in-Action project in Tabasco, Mexico, where I'm shadowing a Municipal Administrative Judge. Through this experience, I've observed how local disputes are resolved and gained insight into a different legal system while also learning about public service.

My name is Rosalind and I'm a first year student in psychology at the University of Cambridge. I am particularly interested in the interection between physical and mental health and how psychological and neurological processes can impact somatic functions. Another major interest of mine is the maintenance of mental health recovery, and how post-acute care in communities and systems can support the longevity of recovery and prevent relapse.

My name is Ishaan Jordan, and I am a student at Georgetown University pursuing a major in Government alongside a minor in Tech, Ethics, and Society. Driven by a passion for public service, leadership, and systemic change, my academic and extracurricular focus centers on how policy and emerging technologies intersect to shape a more equitable world. Through the Laidlaw Scholars Program, my primary objective is to conduct research that examines the ethical implications of technology in governance, specifically how algorithmic decision-making impacts civic trust. Furthermore, I am eager to immerse myself in Laidlaw’s leadership development track, refining the skills necessary to lead with integrity, empathy, and clarity. Outside of my academic commitments, I love to stay active and explore the city. I'm a huge fan of the NBA, and I love watching and playing just about any sport. Fitness is a core part of my daily routine, and you can usually find me training at the gym or unwinding by going on long walks to take in nature and clear my head. In my free time, I enjoy trying new coffee shops and restaurants. 

Hi! I'm Josie, a third-year student at the University of St Andrews. My research project focuses on Ireland's relationship with Spain, centring on its struggle to legitimise itself culturally, religiously, and historically in the face of colonialism, and how this led to the emergence of an Irish national consciousness. It focuses on the mythological origin stories of Ireland. As a student of both Medieval History and Spanish, I saw this as the perfect opportunity to combine two subjects I'm passionate about into a research project!

After a year of studying English Literature at the University of Cambridge, I have recently changed degree to History of Art. I undertook my LiA project at Cambridge Junction, a charity, social enterprise and leading cultural venue in Cambridge, UK. 

Hello! My name is Maiwenn, I am a rising junior at Tufts University studying Biopsychology. I am deeply interested in community health research, particularly strategies that help bridge gaps created by socioeconomic barriers. Through this interest, I hope to learn more about the factors that influence patient adherence and health outcomes. In my free time, I enjoy pursuing my faith, singing, spending time with friends and family, and exploring different facets of the medical field.