Hi! My name is Mai Malesky, and I am a rising second-year student from Durham, NC, planning to double-major in Political Science and Economics. I am passionate about the interdisciplinary field of Behavioral Sciences, especially its capacity to explore why voters become apathetic, how authoritarian regimes emerge, and how disenfranchised citizens can resist political exploitation. My commitment to public service and civic engagement is inspired by my experience working with grassroots organizations in my local community. These experiences allowed me to see firsthand the power of grassroots action to create change. I am excited to be a part of the Laidlaw Scholars Program and to join fellow students devoted to ethical leadership and service, working to make a difference on a local, national, and global scale.

Avery Erlenbach is a first-year student at Duke University from Charlotte, North Carolina who is planning to study physics, math, and public policy. Avery is particularly fascinated by astrophysics and science communication with a focus on expanding access to STEM and exploring equitable pathways to improve public science outreach. In her hometown, Avery worked with local schools to organize hands-on events, operated a community observatory to educate visitors, spearheaded science fairs, and led eclipse and night-sky observations for young students. At Duke, she builds on this experience as Outreach Coordinator for the Stargazing Devils Astronomy Club and the Society of Physics Students, coordinating astronomy and physics outreach in the Durham community. As a Laidlaw Scholar, Avery is excited to further her exploration of how effective science communication can transform communities both locally and globally. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, baking, and crocheting.

Hello, my name is Kennedy Owens, and I am a junior at Duke University currently majoring in Psychology with a minor in Education and a certificate in Child Policy. I am interested in juvenile justice and want to advocate against the injustices faced by vulnerable populations. I am also passionate about inequities in education and how it intersects with systems of punishment, particularly for marginalized youth. Through my academic work and leadership experiences, I hope to contribute to more equitable systems that support young people and their communities.

I am a first-year student at Duke University from San Francisco, intending to pursue a double major in Public Policy and Computer Science with a minor in Tech Policy. In my first year at Duke, I participated in the Implications of Artificial Intelligence Focus cluster, which has shaped my research interests in problems at the intersection of technology, policy, and philosophy. As a pianist and composer, I am currently developing my compositional practice and studying the ethical questions that surround computational creativity and machine intelligence in the arts. Outside of the classroom, I compete for the Duke Men’s Club Basketball team and serve as a piano mentor and a member of the leadership team for Duke’s Musical Empowerment chapter.

I am a student at Duke University from New Jersey, planning to study Economics, Public Policy, and Philosophy. I am passionate about understanding how social and economic systems shape opportunity and exploring ways to create fairer structures through dialogue and public leadership. My commitment to social change stems from my belief in the power of active listening and building spaces for honest, atypical conversations that challenge assumptions. At Duke, I serve on the Student Advisory Board at the Duke Human Rights Center and am a member of the Alexander Hamilton Society and the Black Pre-Law Society. I hope to combine his interests in ethics and economic justice to pursue a career at the intersection of policy, law, and community advocacy. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, hiking, and listening to music.

Amylyn De Paz-De Paz is a student from western North Carolina and the daughter of immigrant pastors who instilled in her a deep commitment to service. From a young age, she has supported her community and led initiatives to expand access to education via tutoring programs, interpreting, and programming. At Duke University, she continues this work through her involvement with DukeEngage, Bass Connections, Duke Campus Farm, LangDorm, HelpDesk, Duke RAM, InventHers, Duke Mi Gente, and other programs. She is also a Coleman Family Ventures Fellow, an experience she is especially grateful for as it has allowed her to further develop her passion for a career in pediatrics and language access in healthcare settings. For Amylyn, Duke and the Laidlaw Scholars program are catalysts for meaningful impact in the communities she cares about. She is proud to represent individuals who share her identity and experiences. To learn more about Amylyn’s journey, explore Duke’s premier student blog, “Trinity in Four Acts,” which follows her path throughout Duke and beyond.

Hi! My name is Ashley, and I am currently a second-year student at Duke University studying Public Policy and Global Health with an interest in a Health Policy Certificate. I am passionate about advancing ethical, evidence-based solutions at the intersection of health, environment, and social equity. I also find interest in conducting research focused on ethical decision-making and inclusive research practices that better serve underrepresented communities. My experiences across public health, communications, and community engagement have shaped my interest in using policy to promote social responsibility and health equity.

Hey friends! I’m Angela Chen, a third-year Public Policy, Psychology, & Digital Intelligence student at Duke University. I'm passionate about leveraging digital policy and journalism to democratize access to information. This past summer, as a Laidlaw Scholar for Research & Leadership and with Duke's Sanford School of Public Policy, I researched AI Policy, Music Streaming, & Cultural Labor in the EU & UK, culminating in presentations at the Oxford Rothermere American Institute, the Laidlaw Scholars Global Conference, and a forthcoming publication on Taylor & Francis. Previously, at the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, the world's leading think tank in science & technology policy, I investigated the use of AI in election information dissemination for minority language voters in the US. Having grown up in both Hong Kong and Canada, I also strongly believe in the importance of collaboration across geographical borders & cultures, and would love to chat—both about global information access and general cultural experiences! At Duke, I also help shape campus culture to maximize equity and inclusivity, particularly through Student Government—I believe that educational environments are key to fostering civic and civil discourse. Reach out here, on LinkedIn, or via email! I'm deeply grateful to be part of our inspiring Laidlaw Scholars community, and I can't wait to bond with as many of y'all as I can :)