Hello! I recently graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology Research from the University of Toronto. I’m passionate about youth mental health and how humour can be used to support resilience after adversity. My Summer 1 research project explored the relationship between childhood adversity, aggression, and self-regulation — deepening my understanding of the psychological impacts of early trauma. In Summer 2, I led a Leadership-in-Action project at SOS Children’s Villages in Cape Town, where I designed and facilitated a comedy-based mental health program for teens. That experience led me to found HaHaHelps — an organization that uses improv comedy to support youth mental health through accessible, community-led workshops. I am currently conducting a feasibility study of the program in South Africa as part of my master’s dissertation in Psychology at the University of Cape Town, with plans to expand to more communities globally. Please feel free to connect :) Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/younessrobert-tahiri Email: youness@hahahelps.org

Hi, I'm Anushka, a junior at Duke University studying chemistry, medical sociology, and health policy. I'm passionate about leveraging scientific techniques in order to advance health equity, especially for rural and underserved populations. My Laidlaw research is at the University of Leeds' Department for Nuclear and Chemical Engineering addressing the public health challenge of fluoride-contaminated drinking water in Tanzania by developing a novel, sustainable ion-exchange model to selectively remove fluoride from groundwater. 

Hello! My name is Harry, and I am a student at Tufts University and part of the 2026 cohort of Laidlaw Scholars. My research project investigates whether simple, low-cost habitat measurements can predict soil microbial diversity in recovering New England forests. Using five field-measurable variables, I am developing the Habitat-Based Microbial Recovery Index (hMRI): a "health score" for forest soils that conservation organizations and land managers can use without expensive lab sequencing. Through this research, my overall goal is to reframe rewilding as a public health strategy, not just an environmental one. As antibiotic resistance is increasing, some of the most promising sources of new antibiotics are soil microbes. By identifying which recovering forests have conditions associated with strong microbial communities, I hope to help direct conservation efforts toward the forests most likely to yield tomorrow's medical discoveries. If you would like to connect or have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out!

Hi everyone! My name is Lauren, I am a rising junior at Tufts University studying Biomedical Engineering and Science, Technology, & Society. I am very interested in neuroscience research, especially neurodegenerative diseases. I am also very interested in learning about the neuroscience of addiction, and how medical research can be used for social good. In my free time, I enjoy reading, live music, and spending time with loved ones!

Hello! My Name is Celina Savage (she/her) and I a Laidlaw Scholar in the 2026 cohort! I am pursuing research on direct-to-consumer (DTC) pharmaceutical advertising in the United States, with a focus on how testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is communicated to post- and peri-menopausal women. I am interested in working in the intersection of health communication and equity, exploring how messaging shapes patient understanding and access. I'm passionate about building transparent, equitable systems of communication across all areas of life. When messaging is clear, honest, and inclusive, it invites people in; when it isn't, it quietly excludes. My goal is to ensure people feel genuinely seen and supported by the systems around them.

Andrew Singleton has recently joined the Tufts-Laidlaw Undergraduate Research and Leadership Programme team as a Programme Administrator and is excited to continue to elevate the Laidlaw Programming for current and future scholars. He joined the programme from Venture Café, which connects and educates the entrepreneurial and innovation community in Boston through programs/spaces/events and many other cities around the world. He has a B.S. from MIT in Biology and a background in social-impact enterprises, wind-power, user-computer-interfaces, as well as computer network design. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys travel, hiking, and wildlife photography.

Hello! My name is Luisa Garciarramos, and I am a junior at Tufts University studying Cognitive and Brain Sciences and Computer Science. I am interested in the neuroscience of addiction, neurodegenerative diseases, and the intersection of neuroscience, mental health, and technology. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to chat!

Hello! I am a junior, Biochemistry student at Tufts University. I am interested in the health sciences, public health, and civic biology.  In my free time, I enjoy learning how to play different instruments, listening to music, reading, coloring, and spending time with friends and family.  I'm very blessed to be on this journey with you all and can't wait to get to know you better!

Hi! My name is Jayden, and I am a rising sophomore at Tufts University pursuing a double major in International Relations and Sociology, with a minor in Legal Studies on a pre-law track. Originally from Fort Smith, Arkansas, I am deeply interested in and passionate about the intersecting fields of human rights, economics, and justice systems. In my free time, I enjoy exploring, thrifting, and being a foodie! 

Hafa Adai! My name is Jia and I am a rising sophomore at Tufts University pursuing a double major in International Relations and Community Health, with a minor in Legal Studies on a pre-law track. Originally from the Northern Mariana Islands, I am deeply interested in and passionate about the intersecting fields of public policy, global health, and justice systems. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, swimming, and videochatting!