I am a junior at Georgetown University double-majoring in History and Linguistics. Outside of classes, I love hiking in the DMV and acting in student theater groups on campus.
For my research project, I am assisting Dr. Edna Bosire and Dr. Emily Mendenhall with their research into perceptions of aging in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya.
Hi! My name is Olivia Cheung and I’m a senior at Cornell University. I’m majoring in Biological Sciences and minoring in Community Food Systems in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. I’m from Needham, MA.
I’m passionate about science, sustainability, environmental justice, and health and would love to chat with others interested in these topics!
Hello! I'm Evie, a rising junior at Georgetown University. Born in the UK, I was raised in New York City. I now study regional and comparative studies at Georgetown's School of Foreign Service, focusing on Asian and Pacific politics and history with a specific interest in the role of media and soft power in international relationships there. I'm interested in not just the role of journalism in international relations, but also the practical work of journalism; outside of my studies, I'm also the editor-in-chief of Georgetown's online-daily, print-weekly student newspaper, The Hoya.
My research project this summer focuses on understanding the role of independent journalism in Pacific island countries' choices to diplomatically recognize China or Taiwan. Does the presence or absence of independent media have any effect on countries' choices? In articles written by independent press vs. government-owned press vs. outlets owned by magnates in the Pacific, what differs in coverage of China and Taiwan?
Beyond my academic interests, I love to watch and play soccer, go hiking, read, cook, and talk about New York City.
Hello! My name is Elliot and I'm a undergraduate at Cornell University studying Environmental Engineering. I'm interested in how we can apply engineered solutions to make agriculture more sustainable. My research focuses on the circular bionutrient economy which in essence is about finding solutions to some of the worlds biggest problems by identifying interconnected problems.
In my free time I love playing rugby, reading, learning languages (I'm learning Mandarin and Spanish), creative writing, and cooking.
Hi everyone, my name is Kaity and I’m a rising sophomore in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. I plan to major in International Economics and minor in Statistics. In my spare time, I love calligraphy, street photography, biking, and I recently got into cooking. I’m also learning French, and would love to talk to French learner/speakers!
I am an incoming Junior double-majoring in Biology and Chinese. My research project for this summer focuses on the galectin-3 binding protein (G3BP). According to the Center for Disease Control, in 2020, over 1.6 million new cancer cases were reported and 600 thousand people died of cancer. While cancer cases are decreasing, for every 100,000 people, there are still 403 new cancer cases.
My research this summer focuses on G3BP, a protein that was identified as an interacting partner for extracellular 6-O-endosulfatase Sulf2. Interaction with G3BP inhibits Sulf2 activity leading to changes of heparan sulfation that is involved in numerous biological processes including cancer cell proliferation, migration and/or invasion. Generation of Gal3BP F357W mutant is recommended by C. Barinka for interaction analyses; we will generate the F357W mutant and test the impact of the mutation on Sulf2-G3BP interactions and the effects on Sulf2 activity.
This research entails the generation of F357W G3BP mutant by site-directed mutagenesis, subcloning wild-type and mutant sequence into lentiviral transfer vector, generation of lentiviral particles in HEK293T cells, transduction of target production cell line, purification by His/Twin-Strep affinity, impact on interaction, impact on enzymatic activity by HPLC-UV-based assay using heparan sulfate mimetic. Through this research, I hope to characterize the interaction between G3BP and Sulf-2 and generate resources (recombinant proteins) for further studies including migration/invasion assays, and utilize the above resources and data.
I am also interested in researching health disparities concerning cancer treatment; unlike other racial groups, cancer is the leading cause of death for Asian Americans. Due to language and cultural barriers, Asian Americans often have lower rates of cancer screening and a lack of proper treatment. Beyond my research in the lab, I am also interested in healthcare access regarding cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Hi! I'm Sandy, a junior at Tufts University double majoring in Biology and Community Health. My interests lie in nutrition, alleviating food insecurity, and improving maternal and child health. In my free time, I enjoy reading (huge R.F. Kuang fan) and listening to artists like Laufey or Wave to Earth :)
If maternal and child health is something you're also interested in, or if you just want to connect, please reach out to me!! I'd love to get to know you too!
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.
Hi There! I am Sharon, a rising junior studying Business and Global Affairs at Georgetown University. I am minoring in statistics and planning on pursuing a career in international development, with a specific focus on bridging the aid-development gap to mitigate protracted displacement around the world.
For my Laidlaw research project, I am working with Professor Christi Smith of Georgetown University's Institute for the Study of International Migration to study the phenomenon of increasing Consulting publications and work on migration and refugee integration-related issues. I aim to explore how the emergence of a new organizational form in the refugee services space might shift the course of refugee incorporation during a time of increasing forced migration and rising political polarization, and its potential policy implications.
Our study analyzes 24 publicly available consulting reports using mixed methods to identify prominent and distinguishable patterns and themes. We are also conducting interviews with consultants to explore the internal and external factors contributing to these themes. By contrasting these findings with those from the public sector and NGOs, we aim to highlight different approaches to migration and refugee issues.
In my free time, I like to dance (my faves are Chinese Folk and Classical Dances!), watch TV shows, and spend quality time with my siblings! I love food and are always excited to try out new cuisines! I believe that nonverbal and nonwritten communication, including all performance art and culinary practices, are powerful ways to build connections and enhance cross-cultural appreciation and dynamism.
One fun fact about me is that I am an identical twin. My sister, Susan (got our name from The Parent Trap lol) also attends Georgetown University and studies Human Science on the pre-med track.
Would love to connect with anyone interested in discussing anything in the realm of social and political science or on their journey exploring their faith as I am, so don't hesitate to reach out :)
My name is Tara Lago, and I am a Rabi Scholar and Laidlaw Scholar at Columbia University pursuing a major in neuroscience and behavior with a concentration in chemistry. With more than 3 years of research related to social science, depression, animal behavior, and computational neuroscience, I aim to study and apply the basic neural mechanisms that underlie human health.
I am passionate about helping my community, inside and outside of the lab. Whether that be creating inclusive programs for my first-year residents as a Resident Advisor or advocating for the freedom to read with the New York and Brooklyn Public Library, I seek to create supportive spaces that encourage intellectual, emotional, and social growth. After my undergraduate education, I plan to work in academic medicine, with the ambition of obtaining an MD-PhD in the future.
Hello people!!! I'm Delaney. I am a rising Junior at Georgetown University studying International History in the School of Foreign Service- I am planning to minor in Spanish and Math. My major concentration is Colonial Legacies and Social Structures, intending to promote Decoloniality, the deconstruction of colonial logic and the perceived naturalness of racial capitalism. I graduated from Waconia High School in Minnesota (about 30 minutes west of the Twin Cities).
My research project for this Summer (2024) focuses on Black Resiliency in the British Caribbean, plus how foodways contribute to cultural transmission. With a research team, I traveled to Cat Island in the Bahamas and interviewed local farmers, historians, herbologists, and artisans to collect their primary perspectives and oral histories. Moving forward, I want to synthesize the lingering effects of British occupation on Cat Island, as well as promote the sustainable lifestyle that many Bahamians have inherited through generations.
Hi! My name is Isha and I am a rising junior in the College of Arts & Sciences majoring in Biology of Global Health. While I grew up in the suburbs of NYC for most of my life, I lived in Singapore for 4 of those years. This summer, I will be researching failed single-stranded annealing events in drosophila under the guidance of Dr. Jan LaRocque.
Hello, my name is Omar Sbaih, and I am a rising junior in the College of Arts and Sciences. I am majoring in neurobiology with a minor in philosophy and cognitive science. As a Laidlaw Scholar, I am eager to engage with and learn from my fellow scholars, embracing the opportunity to collaborate and share knowledge. I believe that the exchange of ideas and perspectives is vital in expanding our understanding of the world. By actively participating in this community, I hope to gain insights from diverse academic backgrounds and contribute my own unique insights to the collective learning experience.
With access to such a profoundly diverse network, I am driven to explore the underlying principles of human cognition and consciousness through the lens of many different disciplines. I am particularly interested in investigating the ethical implications and societal impact of advancements in neuroscience, particularly the advancement of new pharmacological treatments for cognitive impairments.
My name is Fiona and I'm a member of the Class of 2026 at Georgetown University in the US. I'm majoring in Culture and Politics with a concentration in International Labor Policy and minoring in English and French.
My research focuses on the intersection between artificial intelligence and labor exploitation. I aim to chronicle the ways that the tech industry would not function without the contract labor performed by millions of workers in the Global South, and to analyze new models of tech worker organizing to strengthen their power and autonomy. I also hope to situate this "last mile" of digital automation within historical trends of piecework, mechanization, and labor displacement under capitalism.
For my summer 2025 Leadership in Action project, I'm interning at a labor union in the capital of Tunisia.
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 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.
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.