Leslie Monter-Casio (They/She)

I am from South Orange, New Jersey and I am currently studying Computer Science and Linguistics at Cornell University. I’ve always been fascinated by the interdisciplinary nature of technology and my goal is to find ways to connect technology with other fields to affect positive change. I’m incredibly excited to implement this technological approach in my research project, where I’ll be using data to analyze local effects of maquiladoras and international policies. Outside of academics, I’m an Arts and Sciences Ambassador and Peer Advisor, a member of the Cornell Blockchain club, and an avid rock climber.

Hello! My name is Andrew Talone. I am from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I am a first-year student in the College of Arts & Sciences at Cornell University, planning to double major in Government and Economics and minor in Arabic. My academic and research interests include (but are in no way limited to) human rights, international and U.S. politics, political theory, macroeconomic policy, and foreign languages. As a Laidlaw Scholar, I plan to research the Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities in Barbados. Feel free to reach out if we share interests or you would like to connect!

Kristin began the Laidlaw Leadership and Research Scholars program at Cornell University and was responsible for undergraduate engagement in the Einaudi Center for International Studies. She now provides remote support for Global Cornell. A Cornell alumna, Kristin majored in international agriculture and rural development then worked in agriculture and community development with an NGO in Kenya for six years. Her graduate work focused on community leadership development. Kristin enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family (and 3 dogs).

Anthropology and Sociology Undergraduate; from Bristol, UK. I am completing a research project on narrative transmission and reproduction, looking at how oral accounts of geological events are passed down accurately over generations. By understanding how narratives are constructed I am keen to explore interdisciplinary approaches, particularly between Anthropology, Linguistics, Computer-Human Interaction, and Cognition. Other interests include literature, art and photography, architecture, astronomy, and outdoor pursuits.

Hi, everyone! My name is Sarina Zhou, a Class of 2024 student at Cornell University! I am major in Economics and minor in Law and Society. The aim of my research is to implement the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Barbados, bridge the gap in understanding between legislators and their constituents, and improve the lives of those in disadvantaged and marginalized communities. I always seek opportunities to develop my skills and knowledge in various subject areas, particularly in the fields of law and business. I hope to pursue a career in immigration or corporate law in the future. Also, fun fact: I am an artist specializing in acrylic landscape painting and graphite portrait drawing! Please don't hesitate to connect with me! :)

Hello! I was Laidlaw scholar in 2019, and I studied national, regional, and local identity in northern Tajikistan through the lens of women's fashion.  For a year after graduating, I worked for the UN Mine Action Service which removes landmines from conflict and post-conflict regions. I then worked for the Laidlaw Foundation 2021-22 and completed a Master's Degree in Anthropology and Development Management at the London School of Economics. Now I'm working with the UN on innovative finance for biodiversity conservation, focusing on marine ecosystems. Please feel free to reach out on the network, on LinkedIn, or by email. I'm always happy to meet new people and chat.

My name is Dana Oshiro, and I am a freshman at Cornell University.  I am majoring in Neurobiology & Behavior. I also plan on pursuing an MD degree after college. Last summer, I researched the Economic Costs of Domestic Violence. I am grateful to have continued along that topic this summer in Vietnam where I developed interventions to combat adverse childhood events.

Hey, I'm Kobi and I’m a 2021 Laidlaw Scholar studying Biological Sciences with a concentration in Animal Physiology at Cornell University. I’m from New York, and I'll be studying at Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine as my next educational step. My academic interests lie in small animal veterinary practice, research, and teaching. My Laidlaw research focused on evaluating Holstein dairy cattle genomic data with the goal of identifying genetic regions associated with cattle health, dairy production, and disease resistance in order to inform cattle breeding and management decisions internationally. My LiA experience took place in Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala where I worked with FARVets, a Cornell Vet group that implements sterilization clinics abroad. Outside of academics and research, I am passionate about traveling, sustainability, animals, and all things music.

Chris Rivera is a Puerto Rican first-gen, Cornell University undergraduate, majoring in Environment & Sustainability at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and from the South Bronx. As a summer research fellow, his interests were in: Post-disaster resilience strategies for food security, the potential behind small-scale, local food systems, and community garden projects. He enjoys writing poetry, horror movies, photography, chess, Latin dance, walking around NYC, and spending time with family and friends. His passions are rooted in volunteerism, activism, and environmentalism.

Research and Academic Administration

Hi! My name is Lia, and I am in my final year at Cornell University. I'm majoring in Government and pursuing an independent major that combines politics, international studies, and sociology. My first-year Laidlaw project was focused on researching Russian political parties in the lead-up to the country's 2021 parliamentary elections. During my second summer, I traveled to Choma, Zambia through the Laidlaw centralized project with Columbia University.

As a junior double-majoring in Women's Menstrual Health and Computer Science, I've embarked on a path of self-discovery, delving into the complexities of women's health and its intricate connections to diverse cultures and dietary practices. My research delves into the cross-cultural implications of diet on women's menstrual health, aiming to shed light on the often-overlooked nuances of global health disparities. Growing up amidst the vibrant tapestry of Iranian and American cultures, I developed a keen awareness of how lifestyle choices profoundly impact our overall health and well-being. Inspired by this realization, I aspires to make a positive impact on the women's health industry, bridging research gaps and mitigating the discrepancies that hinder advancements in this field. My passion for menstrual health and nutrition led me to establish Aunt Flo's Kitchen, a startup dedicated to revolutionizing menstrual health through the creation of innovative snacks that naturally counteract the nutritional deficiencies causing period cramps. This entrepreneurial endeavor was born out of my research at the Laidlaw Scholars program, where I conducted an IRB-approved clinical trial under the supervision of Dr. Marla Lujan during my first summer. My second summer at Samphire Neuroscience, a FemTech startup founded by visionary researchers from Harvard and Oxford, further reinforced my commitment to addressing the critical issue of women's health. At Samphire, I gained invaluable insights into the intersection of technology and women's health, solidifying my belief in the transformative power of innovation to improve the lives of women worldwide. The Laidlaw Scholars program has played a pivotal role in shaping my life and career trajectory. It has instilled in me a deep sense of purpose, nurtured my entrepreneurial spirit, and equipped me with the tools necessary to make a meaningful impact on the lives of women. I am forever grateful for the transformative experience the Laidlaw program has provided, and I am committed to carrying forward its values of innovation, social impact, and community engagement as I pursue my passion for women's menstrual health and entrepreneurship. The Laidlaw Program has truly changed my life, and I hope it does the same to other scholars reading this. I am always eager to lend a helping hand and am committed to providing support wherever it is needed, so please do not hesitate to reach me at aaj34@cornell.edu.

I grew up in Upstate New York, near Albany, NY, and spent my freshmen year at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I’m studying Information Sciences with a concentration in Data Science I hope to help make sustainable changes in the world through data analysis and research. In my free time, I enjoy painting, crocheting, and making clothing.

Jensen Njagi is an undergraduate student studying International Agriculture and Rural Development/ Global Development; Economics and Development Concentration, with a Minor in Global Health. Guided by a global perspective, he hopes to apply his expertise to improve healthcare systems globally and address issues of global health inequality through multidisciplinary approaches. He’s particularly interested in making a difference by addressing global health issues through a combination of compassion, the generous support of friends, colleagues, and mentors, and a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of geopolitics, economics, technology, and health His very non-linear and non-traditional path to global health and healthcare has truly enriched him. And he, therefore, looks forward to joining forces to improve, build and foster inclusive systems designed to achieve health equity, create wellness, and ultimately improve population health as well.

Hello! I’m Trisha, a graduate of Cornell University from Texas, USA. I majored in Environment and Sustainability with a dual focus on food systems and wildlife conservation, and minored in International Relations. My interests in combining my enduring passions for writing and wildlife conservation have driven me to explore multiple perspectives on highly-controversial issues such as trophy hunting, retaliatory animal killings, and illegal wildlife crime. Thus, during my first summer as a Laidlaw Scholar and as a member of the Morally Contested Conservation team, I wrote a literature review on the interconnectedness of climate change and human-wildlife conflicts in East and southern Africa. In June and July 2024, I furthered this research by traveling to the University of Oxford and to the Burunge Wildlife Management Area in Tanzania, and returned to Oxford and Burunge in June and July 2025 to report my results.  As an aspiring conservationist, I am passionate about making technical scientific information more accessible to the general public. I speak Marathi, Spanish, and Swahili at varying levels of fluency and plan to continue to grow my language skills to communicate conservation challenges across continents and cultures.  The Laidlaw Scholars Program was an invaluable component of my undergraduate experience. The friendships I made, as well as the research and language skills I began to develop, encouraged me to continue to ask and seek answers to complicated questions about global affairs and environmental science. If anyone has questions about the Laidlaw Program, is interested in collaborating, or just wants to say hello, please feel free to email me at trisha.bhujle@gmail.com!