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. 

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 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! 

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.