Hi! I'm a rising junior at Barnard College studying English, and pursuing a NY teaching credential. As an Undergraduate Research scholar, I will be investigating disciplinary policy reform in NYC public schools.

Hello! I’m a psychology researcher and the founder of HaHaHelps, a comedy-based psychosocial programme designed to support young people in residential care. I am currently completing an MSocSci in Psychology at the University of Cape Town, where my dissertation examines the feasibility of HaHaHelps with adolescents in South African child and youth care centres. My broader interests include youth mental health, psychosocial intervention development, implementation, participatory approaches, and the use of humour and play to support connection, emotional expression, self-efficacy, and coping with uncertainty. HaHaHelps grew out of my Laidlaw Leadership-in-Action project at SOS Children’s Villages in Cape Town, where I designed and facilitated an improv-comedy programme for adolescents. Since then, I have continued developing and delivering the programme with young people in residential care and am now studying how it can be refined, evaluated, and ultimately adapted for use in other communities and settings. Before this, my Laidlaw research at the University of Toronto examined relationships between childhood adversity, aggression, and self-regulation. I’d love to connect with other Laidlaw Scholars and alumni interested in youth mental health, social impact, intervention development, social entrepreneurship, or simply finding creative ways to turn research into something useful in the world.

Hello! I'm Kate Morton, a rising Junior at Barnard College from Baltimore, Maryland, USA, pursuing a combined major in Environment & Sustainability and Human Rights with a minor in Dance. My Laidlaw Research combines land rights, history, ecology, and environmental justice to explore how eminent domain reshaped socio-ecological conditions in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area along the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

I'm a current undergrad student at Barnard College pursuing a double-major in Theatre & Human Rights, with a minor in East Asian Studies. I'm often asked why I’m studying such seemingly divergent fields. For me, these subjects go hand in hand: my diplomacy and human rights practice are informed by an empathy uniquely cultivated from my experience in the arts; my acting on theatrical stages is enriched by my understanding of what is happening on the "world stage." Mastering both mediums is my answer to the seemingly unsolveable divisions we face today. My work bridges these fields in an innovative, urgent and radical effort to highlight our shared humanity at a time we need it most.

Hi! My name is Maitree and I'm a rising sophomore at Barnard College of Columbia University. I'm part of Barnard's 2026 Laidlaw Scholars Cohort and I'm excited to be pursuing macroeconomics research in monetary policy and housing affordability. As an Economics and Computer Science major, I enjoy patterns and logic. I like to connect real-world events with theoretical concepts which fuels my passion for research. I'm a curious and driven student, keen on making an impact and answering a meaningful question through my Laidlaw project.

Born and raised in San Diego, California, Adelina is a pre-law student majoring in Sociology with interests in education policy, immigration law and the intersections of race and political representation. As a Chicana scholar committed to utilizing well-informed research as a pathway to meaningful action, she believes in uplifting overlooked histories as pathways to empowerment. Her Laidlaw research investigates how the forced displacement of Mexican American families from Chávez Ravine to construct Dodger Stadium shapes the relationship between the L.A. Dodgers and Latino communities. Outside of being a Laidlaw Scholar, Adelina remains committed to public service by continuing to advocate for youth-centered policy initiatives as Governor Gavin Newsom's appointee to the California Youth Empowerment Commission. She has also worked with New York City's Project Rousseau as an Immigration Legal Services Intern and conducted research with the Columbia University Policy Institute, further developing her interests in civic engagement, educational equity and policy reform. As a Barnard pre-law student, Adelina is committed to pursuing a legal career dedicated to advancing representation and justice for historically marginalized communities.

Hi! My name is Chloe Lee and I am a incoming sophomore at Barnard College of Columbia University studying Political Science and Human Rights with aspirations to eventually go to law school. I am interested in voting rights, international human rights, intersectional feminist theory, and the intersection between law and business! This summer I will be conducting research on Asian American voter behavior and the barriers that shape civic engagement for the Asian American community in Queens, Texas, and Georgia. With the supervision of my mentor Professor Chen, I look forward to learning about the lived experiences and geographic comparisons that will help me understand how barriers influence eligible voters.

Hi! My name is Hayden Chernow and I am from Boston, Massachusetts. I am a rising junior at Barnard College majoring in Urban Studies with a focus on the Middle East and Education. My Laidlaw Scholars Research topic will examine how Jordan's growing refugee population impacts access to trauma-informed education.

I'm a Class of 2028 student at Barnard College of Columbia University in NYC. I am pursuing a combined major in Gender Studies and Human Rights. My degree is centered on feminist anthropology, with particular attention to gendered forms of violence and resistance in the occupied West Bank. In my free time, I study Hebrew (Yiddish next, I hope), explore museums, and cook with my friends. "Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On quiet days, I can hear her breathing." - Arundhati Roy

I am currently a junior at Barnard College of Columbia University studying Computational Biology with a minor in Economics. Through my coursework and research experiences, I have developed a strong foundation in data analysis, quantitative modeling, and computational approaches to complex biological and social systems. My background in economics has further shaped how I think about resource allocation, structural inequality, and policy impacts at scale. I am particularly interested in applying data science and computational methods to questions in public health, migration, environmental justice, and global health systems. Much of my work focuses on how large-scale systems, whether healthcare infrastructure, environmental conditions, or social policy, shape health outcomes for marginalized populations. I am especially drawn to research involving spatial analysis, longitudinal datasets, and health data infrastructure, as well as projects that bridge technical analysis with real-world policy and community impact.

Kritvi Kalani (She/Her)