The power of engineering to change the world using simple lines of code and circuit diagrams captivates me. Having invented India’s most economical 3D Printer, I’ve experienced firsthand its profound impact. Namaste! I’m Vedant, born in Singapore and raised in the bustling city of Mumbai. My journey started in 2020, when I needed a 3D printer for the rapid prototyping of projects but couldn’t afford one. Using recycled computer parts, a classmate and I managed to build one for under $100. Continuing my pursuit of frugal innovation, I developed an automatic hand sanitizer dispenser during the pandemic which I provided to local clinics and stores, despite supply chain shortages. In a quest to spread the innovation culture, I began delivering technical guest lectures on ‘Innovating with Arduino’ at engineering colleges and high schools across India. I introduced them to my ‘5-step prototyping mantra’, and used conversational psychology techniques to connect with students from diverse social backgrounds. From initially facing apprehension, to leaving the classrooms with thundering applause, the experience has been a rollercoaster. Forward to 2024, these lectures have become an awaited event at these colleges! My work has been featured in 30+ newspapers, journals, and media including platforms like TEDx and Josh Talks with a combined global reach of 50M+. Apart from engineering and tech, I’m an avid cyclist. My weekends usually consist of 100–150 km of backcountry rides. In Mumbai, I’ve worked with the police and the Smart Commute Foundation to advocate for bike lanes, install parking stands, and conduct cyclothons which saw over 5000 participants. I’m thrilled to join the 2025 cohort of Laidlaw Scholars — and I can’t wait to connect, learn, and build alongside all of you! Warm Regards, Vedant :) Instagram | LinkedIn

Hi! I’m Rachel, a 3rd year undergraduate at Trinity College Dublin. I'm a Computer Science major with a minor in Business. My current research focuses on AI-generated content detection in academic writing, and how we can design systems that go beyond surface-level tone analysis and actually look at how something was created, not just what it looks like on the page. I’m particularly interested in where technology meets accountability; whether that’s through blockchain-backed transparency, ethical design, or just building tools that help people do good things better. I think we need to be a lot more thoughtful about how we integrate AI into education, and a lot more ambitious about the kinds of institutions we want to shape in the process. Also, like most people who spend too long on side projects, I occasionally forget how to relax. When I do, though, I read whatever I can get my hands (usually poetry or classic fiction). Or I try baking some treats. Or I go cafe hopping with friends for conversation. If you’d like to chat about any of the above, or anything really, I’d love to hear from you.

Hello! I am an incoming third year at the University of St Andrews, studying Mathematics and Computer Science. My summer 1 research focus was on applying Bayesian networks to electroencephalography (EEG) data. My research poster was presented at the 2025 Global Laidlaw Scholars Conference in Durham, where it was selected by Taylor & Francis to be published. My summer 2 Leadership in Action project is based in Hinohara village, Japan. I am partnering with Satoyama School Tokyo to support their ongoing efforts in learning, preserving, and sharing the traditions of a "satoyama" lifestyle: an old, nature-focused way of living in mountain villages.

Hi, I'm Holly! I'm really interested in Psychology, Linguistics, social action, and policy. I completed my Laidlaw research project last summer (2024), on UK policy around extra-curricular activities. This summer (2025), I completed my LiA in Mexico, designing a social media campaign for an NGO supporting survivors of gender-based violence. I'm currently completing an undergraduate research project on beliefs and knowledge in Semantics and Pragmatics. Next academic year, my Master's project will look at the spread of mental health misinformation on social media. Would love to chat more if you have any questions!

I am currently a undergraduate student at the University of Leeds pursuing a degree in International Business. With the Laidlaw Scholarship I have participated in two leadership development residentials with the Laidlaw team at Leeds along with my cohort. My research project was titled "Exploring the Most Efficient Mapping Techniques and Platform to Map Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)"  which was a insightful exploration of curriculum mapping and the possibilities for artificial intelligence to assist within the mapping process. My Leadership-in-Action was with make_sense americas & Rennueva taking place in Mexico City over 6-weeks, with a focus on climate impact. My team focused on implementing improvements to the companies website such as displaying the amount of carbon saved through the amount of plastic donated.

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

Hello! I'm a third year Biology student at the University of Leeds and I'm part of the 2024 Scholars cohort. I'm currently on an industrial placement working in digital marketing, looking to build expertise in the sustainable health tech space.  I have been trying to figure people out for a long time and I thought what better way than to explore the wonders of neuroscience in my first year research project!?  I'm looking forward to my upcoming LiA with the Timothy Smith Network in Boston, USA. I'm looking forward to working with students of all ages to teach and inspire them about the intersections of biology and technology.  I'm also a member of the 2026 Undergraduate Laidlaw Advisory Board, where I hope to provide strategic advice and improvements to the Laidlaw programme to ensure future scholars can thrive.  If you want to chat about books, the economic/political state of the world right now, or just life - feel free to drop me a message! :)

Alumnus of the University of Hong Kong

Hello, nice to meet you! I am Raina, a CS PhD student at UPenn specializing in deep learning, multimodal learning, and AI for Healthcare. I have published research in top venues like NeurIPS and EMNLP, with experience in tech, finance, and healthcare. I am passionate about solving complex problems through advanced Machine Learning techniques and interdisciplinary approaches. I was an undergraduate student studying Applied Artificial Intelligence at the University of Hong Kong and a Laidlaw Scholar of the 2021 cohort. My Laidlaw research topic is using artificial intelligence (AI) to turn a mobile smartphone into a stethoscope. What we want to do in this project is build an AI-assisted mobile application for smartphones to perform early screening for cardiovascular disease.

Bioinformatician, computational biologist, big data analyst, geneticist, cardiovascular researcher, and STEM educator

I like Space and Robotics.

My research is about the relationships between Indigenous Christians, the British Government, the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and non-Christian indigenous peoples and how these relationships, desire for land, and Christian beliefs led to the expulsion, murder, and resettlement of Indigenous Christians in 1675-6.