Hello! My name is Anjelica and I'm a sophomore at Columbia University in New York. My current research aims to look into how language affects our perception of femicide in the media. In my free time, I make podcast videos with people who I find inspiring, I write (and hunt for banger book quotes on Pinterest), I'm currently planning an initiative in my foundation, and I love improv comedy. A quote that I really love as of now is: "When God had made The Man, he made him out of stuff that sung all the time and glittered all over. Some angels got jealous and chopped him into millions of pieces, but still he glittered and hummed. So they beat him down to nothing but sparks but each little spark had a shine and a song. So they covered each one over with mud. And the lonesomeness in the sparks make them hunt for one another." Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God And yes, I love existential questions.

Hi, everyone! I'm Martin. I'm a third-year student at Georgetown majoring in Biology (with a concentration in Molecular Bio), and I'm planning to minor in Japanese. My focus has always been on cancer biology; so many people I've known have been affected by it, and my life's goal is to contribute to a cure. I'm half-American, half-Bulgarian, the child of two diplomats; I speak English fluently, and intermediate Bulgarian, Japanese, and Spanish. I have a lot of different interests outside of science: basketball and baseball, chess, politics, music, and a whole other list that's way too long for this blurb. Here's a random fact about me which I think is kinda cool: I once saw the tallest manmade thing on Earth (the Burj Khalifa) and the tallest thing on Earth, period (Mt. Everest) from the window of the same flight! My research project for Laidlaw this summer is an application of the fields I've spent so much time studying- the focus is on cancer genetics, molecular biology, and laboratory technique. The goal of this project is to uncover information about a certain protein called SON, which is thought to be involved in the processes of gene splicing and transcription into RNA. Errors in these functions often result in cancer, so figuring out the roles and behaviors of proteins like SON could really help future endeavors like genetic libraries and drug discovery programs. I won't bog this down with an excessively detailed explanation of my method, but in brief, I'm using CRISPR technology to edit the SON gene and add DNA which encodes something called a protein tag. CRISPR can use a few different DNA repair techniques as a sort of "glue" to insert this protein tag; I'll be testing two of these techniques (NHEJ and MMEJ) to add depth to the experimental process. When the modified gene gets translated into SON protein, this tag gets produced as well. The tag can be lit up and investigated with a fluorescent microscope to determine where in the cell the SON protein localizes; it can also be targeted for degradation, allowing me to research the behaviors of cells with no SON protein and thus deduce its function through this knockout treatment. Which of these goals I can accomplish depends on the time and resources I have available, but I hope that summary sheds light on the problems I'm trying to tackle with this research project. In a word, I want to find out what SON does, and I'm going to use CRISPR-mediated protein tags to find out.

I will be studying medicine through the four-year graduate-entry track MBChB at the Chinese University of Hong Kong from September 2026. I am also a graduate in Global Health and Development BASc (1:1), with Psychology and Neuroscience double minors, at the University of Hong Kong, where I joined the Laidlaw Scholars Programme. With my dual background in global health and psychology, I am passionate about the human mind and a sustainable healthcare system that supports mental well-being. I am an enthusiastic learner and proactive leader, building strong teamwork and communication skills by volunteering in youth engagement projects. Working in an overseas health organisation placement and with international research teams has also cultivated my flexible and global mindset. I aspire to contribute to public health and medicine by further integrating my studies in brain and psychological sciences. I had a broad research exposure across the UK, Hong Kong and Japan during my first undergraduate degree. I conducted my Laidlaw research project at the UCL Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health. I also undertook a six-month capstone attachment in Japan, working at the International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba. Some of my ongoing or previous projects include those related to sleep medicine, psychoeducation, mental health, psychiatry and female menstruation health. I am also looking for research internships and further study opportunities in psychological medicine and public health. Last updated: Jul 2026

Hi! My name is Stephanie, and I am a medical student from Trinity College Dublin. I am drawn to how medicine helps us understand our brains, people, society, and systems to improve health and well-being. My research project examines the intersection of climate change and brain health from a policy perspective. Climate change is often framed as an environmental emergency. However, its consequences such as extreme heat, disaster-related trauma, and air pollution have an indispensable toll on brain and general health. Yet, global frameworks and mitigation strategies continue to treat health and neurological wellbeing as an afterthought. My project will uncover how current policy guidelines and interventions lack investment in population wellbeing and health. I will work with experts in the field and together build a framework to help countries tailor their climate-health responses with an emphasis on brain and general health. With this interdisciplinary and international approach, I hope to expose and close the gap between policy and wellbeing, translating scientific discovery to real-life health and comfort.  Outside of classes and placements, you can find me outdoors pretending to study in the sun or travelling. I also enjoy Olympic target shooting and hiking.  Very grateful and excited for the Laidlaw journey ahead, feel free to reach out and connect! 

I'm an incoming 3rd year Law and German student in Trinity College Dublin.   My research centres on how the criminal justice systems responds to abused women who kill their abusive partners.  The defences to a charge of killing are usually provocation, self-defence, and diminished responsibility/insanity.  However, feminist legal theorists argue that these defences arise out of a typical male rather than female experience.  Victims of domestic abuse who kill typically lack an obvious imminent threat of violence, which is required to use the legal defences, and instead are responding to a cycle of violent behaviour. I want to understand how these women are treated in criminal justice systems, and how we can improve the law in this area. I am passionate about improving equality and fair treatment in the legal system, as well as gender studies and criminology.  I would love to get in touch if you are interested in any of these areas!

Hi everyone! I am a rising sophomore at Tufts University in Boston, studying biology and environmental science. I am originally from Cape Town, South Africa, and attended high school in Louisiana. For my research summer, I am working in Tanzania as a part of a coral restoration project, conducting my own experiment to identify which coral species will be most resilient during this year's upcoming El Niño event with rising sea temperatures. I will also be exploring how to make the coral gardening process more cost-effective and accessible to coastal East African fishing communities. 

Hello! I'm Sonia, a student of Political Science and Economics at Trinity College Dublin. I'm also a 2026 Laidlaw Scholar. In research and in real life, my main interest is how the traumas of the past affect the wellbeing of people in the present. War, structural discrimination and communal violence rarely conclude at appointed historical end dates, but persist in the daily realities of communities for decades. The impacts are often invisible and difficult to quantify, such as chronic stress, sectarianism and complex national identity. My Summer 1 research examines the modern-day impacts of Ireland's revolutionary past. In the 1920s, over 275 Irish country houses were burned in conflicts over land, religion, class and politics. I will interview members of the tight-knit rural communities where the burnings occurred. My objective is to understand how that legacy of violence impacts people's sense of belonging. I hope to connect with fellow Scholars and alumni. Especially if you have an interest in conflict, peacebuilding or memory politics, get in touch!

Hello! I'm Crystal, a current third year medical student from Trinity College Dublin, and originally from Yangon, Myanmar. I think physicians are in a unique position where they are entrusted by patients, understand firsthand the shortcomings in patient care, and possess the biomedical knowledge and skills needed to drive meaningful change, placing them at the forefront of cutting-edge research that can directly benefit patient care. I would love to be a physician-scientist one day who can bridge scientific discovery with clinical practice.  My research explores the effects of smoking on innate immunity and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). I am fortunate to be part of a great research lab that allows me to explore my own ideas, design my own experiments, and, most importantly, keep moving forward when things do not go as planned!  I also love cooking and baking -- I am always thinking of what I should have for my next meal! 

Dia dhuit! My name is Seán Radcliffe and I am an Economics and Mathematics student at Trinity College Dublin. Outside of my studies, I am a political campaigner, pro-Palestine activist, and the Housing Rights Officer of my student union. I love to sing, travel, and have a laugh! This summer, under the academic supervision of Trinity Fellow and Associate Professor Dr. Davide Romelli, I will be conducting research at Trinity College Dublin on the effects of economic conditions, shocks, and crises on cocaine-related harm and deaths in Ireland between 2004 and 2024; "Reading Between the White Lines: An Investigation into Cocaine-Related Harm in Ireland During Periods of Economic Change and Crisis, 2004-2024." Using lagged regression models, statistical analysis, and interviews with experts, policymakers, and activists, my project aims to challenge damaging assumptions around drug addiction and harm in Ireland, particularly narratives that simplistically link economic growth and employment with reduced harm. Grateful for this opportunity and excited for what lies ahead.

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.

Hey! My name is Leah Carroll, I am a current 2nd year student of English Studies at Trinity College Dublin and a member of the 2026 Laidlaw Leadership & Research Scholars cohort. After an unconventional path as an early school-leaver, I found my way to higher education through the Trinity Access Programme’s Foundation Course for Young Adults to pursue my lifelong passion for literature. While curious for all facets of the field, I have keen interest in women’s issues and feminist theory.    My research project, entitled ‘"Girls Who Say Nothing and Wear Black": Women of the Beat Generation’, aims to address an important critical gap by examining the continued marginalisation of women Beat poets despite their acknowledged literary and cultural influence. The study aims to contribute a more equitable understanding of the Beat generation as well as a broader appreciation of their influence outside the United States with particular reference to their importance to contemporary Irish women’s poetry.   Outside my studies and research, I love writing both prose and poetry, working on my own creative projects, going hiking with friends, and indulging in sports such as horse-riding and figure skating.  Please feel free to reach out and connect!

Dia dhaoibh! My name is Aoibheann, and I’m a 3rd-year physics student at Trinity College Dublin. I chose this course because it strikes the perfect balance between theory and experimentation, allowing me to explore the fundamental particles and forces that govern the universe—though I'm still working on fully understanding them! My research project delved into my latest fixation which is the history and philosophy of science. I focused on scientific authority in colonised Ireland, exploring how knowledge was often controlled and manipulated by those in power. It’s a topic that combines my love of history and science, as it reveals how knowledge itself can be a tool of influence. I’m really interested in understanding how science is never truly neutral—it can shape cultures, reinforce power dynamics, and even be used to control narratives, making it an issue that is still relevant in today's world. Beyond my studies, I love sea swimming and have trained as a lifeguard. I’m also a proud Irish speaker and love promoting Irish language and culture whenever I can.

I am the Programme Manager for the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership & Research Programme at Trinity College Dublin. Before joining the Careers and Development Service at Trinity College Dublin, I have been looking after a portfolio of open enrolment short executive education courses at Trinity and have over 10 years of experience in admissions, event coordination and higher education management across Ireland, United Kingdom and Ukraine.

Hi there! I'm Jane Emmins, a Senior Sophister in English Studies at Trinity College Dublin and alumna of the Laidlaw Scholarship. My Summer 1 research was concerned with representations of space, place, and utopianism in the literature of Fire Island 1940-2000. I was interested in exploring how contrasting authors handled ideas and constructions of 'gay paradise' as a means to interogate the nature of queer utopian desire(s) in America at this pivotal period in LGBTQ+ history.  My Summer 2 'Leadership-in-Action' saw me flying to Cape Town, South Africa to volunteer at SOS Children's Village in Thornton. I designed and delivered a six-week dance movement therapy based psychosocial intervention for orphaned, abandoned, and precariously housed children.  I am a lover of sacred music and a member of multiple choirs. My hobbies also include swimming in the sea and watching good television.  Feel free to reach out to me using my contact info. 

Hi, my name is Peter McNulty. I am an Undergraduate Leadership & Research Scholar at Trinity College Dublin. For my research project, I will be "Pricing the environmental impact of AI-related data centre energy consumption in Ireland" as I think that it is important to balance AI's economic benefits with the growing emissions and energy consumption burden that Ireland faces. This will involve a literature review of EU Carbon Policy, research into carbon market trends and computation of AI-specific consumption costs using EU ETS pricing frameworks. Outside of my studies, I play guitar, piano and sing in pubs! I also enjoy running long distances for charity.

Hi! My name is Emma and I'm a second year geography student at Trinity College Dublin. I hope to become a teacher in the future.  I've been involved in activism for about 5 years now and I'm extremely passionate about education and climate change. My research project will analyse how my university engages with class and socioeconomic status, particularly with regards to what it means to come from a working class background. I love to travel, meet new people, play videogames, and go for walks/hikes in nature.

Joel was the Laidlaw Programme Coordinator for Trinity (2018 - 2024). In this role he managed leadership development activities, student coaching, programme design, and the day-to-day support of the Laidlaw Scholars. He is currently the Equality Officer for Trinity, and works to promote equity, belonging, and non-discrimination for Trinity staff, students, and the wider Trinity community, in all areas of university life and with particular regard to the protected grounds in equality legislation. He has previously worked in a range of higher education development roles including student services and global engagement. In 2026 he is a supervisor for a Laidlaw Scholar research project entitled 'A Class Education: How does Trinity engage with class and socioeconomic status in 2026?'. He is a founder and current Co-Chair of Trinity's LGBTIQ+ Staff Network and is committed to Trinity's mission of fostering excellence and creating social good by championing an accessible, diverse higher education environment. A graduate of Trinity, he holds a B.A. (Mod.) in English Studies, and further qualifications in Learning, Development and Coaching (CIPD), EDI Policy and People; Teaching, Learning and Assessment for Academic Practice (TCD), and as a Certified Student Affairs Educator (HECSAC).

Hi, my name is Sarah McGuire! I am currently studying History and English at Trinity College Dublin and am a member of the 2026 Trinity Laidlaw Scholars cohort.  I am interested in the ways in which literature can be used to construct and convey identity, and in finding ways to interrogate limiting beliefs that influence how we engage with national and cultural identity, gender, and class. With my own background from the North East of Ireland, I believe that it is essential to question the roots of our identities, and more important than ever to push back against exclusionary and arbitrary definitions of who ‘gets’ to identity as Irish.   My Summer 1 research project is entitled ‘This is Your Magazine: Literary Periodicals and Identity in Mid-twentieth century Ireland’, and will focus on short stories published in The Bell Magazine (1940-1954) and what they can tell us about the complexity of Irish identity in this period. This study aims to explore the ways in which people engaged with the literary periodical and short story form as a crucial means of self expression in a period of censorship, and how they wrote back against the dominant ideology which created narrow parameters surrounding the normative portrayal of Irish identity post-partition.    Beyond my research, I love to write short fiction of my own, contribute to college publications as a writer and editor, and read widely on literary, art, and music history.  I would love to connect with fellow scholars, feel free to reach out to discuss research or similar interests!

Hi everyone! My name is Anna and I'm part of the 2026 Laidlaw Scholars cohort at Trinity College Dublin, where I study Mathematics with a minor in Statistics. For my research project, I'll be exploring a question that is becoming more important as AI develops: who is better at predicting the future, humans or algorithms? I'll be comparing forecasts from machine learning models with those from prediction markets, where collective human judgement is turned into live probabilities. After the 2024 US elections, prediction markets rapidly gained attention for correctly predicting the outcome before many traditional forecasts. At the same time, AI is making data-driven forecasting more powerful than ever. Through quantitative analysis, I'm curious to see whether the best predictions come from human insight, algorithmic pattern recognition, or perhaps a combination of both. More broadly, I am interested in using mathematics to better understand and solve real-world problems like this one. I'm especially drawn to the way it combines logic with creativity, allowing us to approach challenges from different angles and develop efficient and innovative solutions. Outside of academics, I'm also a huge music lover, from hip hop and rock to hard techno. For me, a good time almost always involves music, dancing, or both :) Feel free to reach out if you want to discuss research, share music recommendations, or simply chat!