Laila Abed (She/Her)

Student, Columbia University
  • People
  • United States of America
Anna Chen

Undergrad Student in Climate Science, Columbia University

Hello! I'm Anna, an undergraduate student studying Climate System Science at Columbia University, ‘27. I was born and raised in Shanghai, China, currently living in New York. I love exploring everything about climate and sustainability - from ocean geochemistry, to conservation and restoration, and to urban sustainability. In summer 2024, I’ll be doing geoscience and climate change research at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia, investigating the impacts of ocean warming and acidification on regional carbon sequestration through a process known as biological pump. In my spare time, you can find me snowboarding on the New England mountains, cycling in Central Park, and listening to classical music concerts at Carnegie Hall.
Kate Jang

Student, Columbia University

Hello! I am a rising sophomore interested in the intersection between health, environment, and advocacy. During Laidlaw, I am excited to research the impact of radiation on the Pacific Islands, specifically regarding contamination in local fruit and vegetation of Kiribati island. 
Justin Chen

Research Scholar, Columbia University

Hi everyone! I am a rising Senior at Columbia College majoring in Cognitive Science and Visual Arts. As part of the 2024 Laidlaw cohort, I am deeply interested in the intersections of psychology, social anthropology, and the arts. My first summer specifically focused on understanding the role of forgiveness within Korean American communities.  This second summer, I am working at the Gardens, Libraries, and Museums (GLAM) at the University of Oxford to support with their community engagement team. My work includes creating more accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities, and also using the archives to spotlight individuals who overcame adversity to promote mental well-being amongst youth.
Eden Martin

Research Scholar, Barnard College

I'm majoring in sociology and minoring in feminist/intersectional science and technology studies! My project is about the (social) experiences and perspectives of long term survivors of HIV regarding the AIDS epidemic and COVID pandemic. Through my interviews, I hope to learn about collective response and risk distribution as experienced by vulnerable/marginalized populations, particularly as public attention and precautions wane. 
Tara Isabel Dee Lago

Student, Columbia University

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. 
Priyanka Mathews

Student, Columbia University