Hi there!  I’m Claudia, a second-year undergraduate at the University of Leeds and a proud member of the 2026 cohort. I study Biology, History and Philosophy of Science which takes a holistic lens to science. This allows me to explore and question our current knowledge, and its objectivity.  This summer I’ll be setting off my Laidlaw experience researching at The University of Hong Kong’s School of Biomedical Sciences. With Professor Sugimura, I aim to transdifferentiate myeloid progenitor cells to Natural Killer cells, an essential part of our innate immune system. NK cells identify and destroy cancerous cells, thus constructing them in vitro could provide a useful treatment to cancer.  Alongside learning I feel the happiest outdoors with other people. I love being active, running and going on long walks, or being more relaxed, doing yoga and exploring new places with friends (especially love if a cafe is involved).  I’m really excited to be part of this incredible opportunity and hope to learn and connect with as many scholars as possible. Please reach out to talk about research or anything else at all!

Hello! I am Major Richmond, and I enjoy spending time with friends, playing tennis, and visiting the best theme parks in the country. I am a PROUD Blue Devil and a member of Duke University's Class of 2028! I intend to pursue a degree in Public Policy Analysis and explore Environmental Science and Spanish💙😈 In general, The United States is in an unprecedented state of division, specifically in the political realm. The US democratic system has turned into a battle arena full of uncertainty, hatred, and various bad decisions. For my life goal, I have sworn to put a halt to this crippling division and start to put compromise over stubbornness. The best current policy solutions arise when democrats, republicans, conservatives, liberals, and independents unite to create change TOGETHER, rather than separate. As an aspiring politician, I plan to end division for the country's benefit.

Hi! I’m Evie, an undergraduate student at the University of Leeds studying a joint honours in Law with Hispanic Law. I am deeply motivated by the prospect of making meaningful change through legal and political research, with a specific interest in language, culture and international human rights.   This summer I will be researching the project entitled ‘Queering Citizenship: LGBT+ Activism in Democratic Transitions in South America’, which aims to take an intersectional approach to understanding the treatment of queer individuals in South America through primarily researching and analysing archives.    I am really excited to learn more, and extremely grateful to be able to participate in and contribute to the Laidlaw programme!

Hello! I’m Jess, a Civil Engineering student at the University of Leeds with a strong interest in sustainable development, climate‑resilient design, and the role of engineering in addressing environmental and social challenges. I’m particularly motivated by how infrastructure can be designed to support communities and contribute to a more sustainable future. This summer, I’ll be working on 'Turning CO2 into power: Investigating how Ni-Co morphology affects electrode performance in CO2 batteries' with Professor Fang at HKU. I’m still at the early stages of the project, but I’m excited to explore emerging approaches to carbon utilisation and the potential for converting CO2 into usable energy. I’m looking forward to contributing to research that sits at the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and low‑carbon technologies. Outside of academics, I really enjoy going climbing and going on long walks/hikes. When I am not outdoors, though, I will probably be watching a k-drama in my room to relax.  Please get in touch to talk about anything engineering or sustainability related, or if you have a good k-drama recommendation!

I'm a law student at the university of Leeds.

Hi, my name is Ruby Blaney and I am a first year Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering student at the University of Leeds. My future aspiration is to push myself hard enough so that I can receive a DAAD scholarship and complete my Masters in Medical Robotics in Germany. My project involves the Franka-Emika Panda robotic arm and I am going to be learning new coding apps to make a virtual reality controller that would control this arm remotely. In my free time, I enjoy reading and playing video games. I also work part time as a waitress to develop my skills in customer service alongside completing my degree.

Nice to meet you! I'm a first-year economics student at the University of Leeds and a proud member of the 2026 Laidlaw cohort. My interests lie in ethical frameworks and how they define economies. I'm currently reading Mencius, and I'd love to discuss it with anyone who's familiar with Confucianism. During my summer research, I will be working alongside Anastasia Asres to evaluate the compliance of a selection of firms in the UK to dimensions of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 using computational methods. In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing piano, walking my dog and going to the arcade or bowling with my friends. I'm also learning Mandarin and hope to spend a year in Hangzhou as part of my undergraduate degree. I'm excited to be here, and hope I get to exchange knowledge and ideas with as many people as possible!

Hello! My name is Leyla and I’m a first year student at the University of Leeds studying Biomedical Sciences. I have a keen interest in pharmacology as well as science and public health communication. This summer I will be working on a project titled: The Development of Public Engagement Materials for the Pharmacology Degree Programme. This focuses on exploring the public’s understanding of pharmacology and prospective student’s expectations of the subject in order to create resources that improve public awareness of pharmacology. Outside of academics, I enjoy travelling, reading, hiking and spending time outdoors. If you would like to chat, whether about pharmacology, public health communication or otherwise, I am happy to connect!

Hello I am Ella! I am an undergraduate Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Leeds, driven by a curiosity to understand the biological processes that underpin health and disease. I am particularly passionate about exploring how scientific research can be translated into real-world medical advancements. Alongside my studies, I dedicate time to an array of extracurricular activities that reflect my interests, including performing arts, hiking and acting as an avid member of my university hockey team. My research project is entitled 'Active Learning Strategies for Biomedical Education: A Design Thinking Approach'. My findings will be used to critically evaluate the active learning strategies currently used in biomedical education.  As part of the Laidlaw network, I am excited to connect with like-minded individuals, broaden my perspective, and contribute positively through shared ideas and collaboration. So please don't hesitate to reach out as I am always happy to connect!

Hi, I'm George. I'm an Economics and Human Geography student at the University of Leeds researching animal welfare legislation and ethical review policies across Africa. I'm inspired by thinkers like David Graeber and Joshua Citarella who use a multidiciplinary approach to understanding global challenges.  Outside of university, I'm undergoing flying training and leadership development with the RAF and love live music, hiking and travelling.  Feel free to get in touch! 

Hello everyone! I am a first year Natural Sciences student at the University of Leeds, and I am interested in pursuing a career in research. I'm currently studying Physics, Chemistry and Maths and am fascinated by the practical applications of sciences and how they can help others.  My Laidlaw research project is focused on the defluoridation of groundwater via an ion exchange process. I hope to be able to take my research and implement it in Tanzania to provide a sustainable water source for people in Arusha.  

I am a first-year Electronic and Electrical Engineering student at the University of Leeds and a UKESF Semiconductor Talent Award holder. My research explores what machine learning models are actually learning when applied to physical systems, investigating whether they capture genuine physical principles or simply identify patterns in data. Through this project, I hope to develop my understanding of AI, strengthen my Python and analytical skills, and contribute to the responsible use of machine learning in scientific research.

Hello there! I'm Presto, a first-year Environmental Science student at the University of Leeds. I am still immersing myself in different disciplines of Environmental Science, such as Hydrology, Ecology, Geology, Meteorology, Oceanography, etc... but my self-defined research project stemmed from my upbringing in Myanmar.  Coming from Mandalay, Myanmar, I had been exposed to political conflict driving multiple humanitarian crises, including internal and external displacement, inflation, and human rights violations. However, my interest lies in how armed conflict can quietly accelerate environmental degradation, a relationship that remains poorly quantified in Myanmar.  My research is a spatiotemporal analysis to examine the impacts on the environment in Central Myanmar between 2020 and 2024, and to explore if these changes intersect with escalations of armed conflict patterns. Outside my academic pursuits, I feel at home practising music, from songwriting, playing instruments, to singing. I try to be an inspired and creative person by travelling. I have been privileged enough to travel to Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia, Qatar, across the UK, and have lived in Thailand and Vietnam since moving out of my country. I'd love to connect with fellow Laidlaw scholars. 

Please sign the petition and email your MP to oppose the new EHRC ban on transgender people being permitted in single sex spaces. This is a move towards erasing trans people from public life and a severe human rights violation. Links can be found here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/760382#main-content?utm_campaign=button_list_Signthepetition&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=later-linkinbio https://equalrecognition.eaction.org.uk/rejectthecode?utm_campaign=button_list_EmailyourMP&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=later-linkinbio I am a Criminal Justice and Criminology undergraduate student at the University at Leeds, with an interest in bodily autonomy, transgender rights, and experiences of social marginalisation. I am passionate about social research, heritage, and dispelling pseudo-scientific misinformation. I intend to create a dissertation exploring how to combat the negative effects of discriminatory media campaigns on trans rights in the UK. I am currently participating in the Laidlaw Research Programme to bring a creative approach to the historical collections of the Royal Armouries.

Hello! I'm Thomas, a second year undergraduate student of Modern Languages (French) and English. My research project is entitled 'Telling the Stories of Colonial Populations in the French Resistance through Self-Guided Heritage Walking Tours'. My findings will form part of Nina Wardleworth's larger ongoing research project involving the commemoration and memory of colonial subjects and citizens in the French (Internal) Resistance. I am particularly drawn to this project's commitment to diversifying the range of stories depicted and its wider efforts to decolonise knowledge.  My other academic interests include language pedagogy, educational equity and French literature. Outside of my studies, I enjoy running, reading and travelling! Feel free to reach out if any of this resonates with your own research or interests :)

Hello! I’m a first-year Economics student at the University of Leeds, with a strong interest in economic inequalities and development.  My research focuses on the Leeds University Business School Skills Maps - a visual representation of the skills that the student’s course is equipping them with. I will be investigating how these skills maps can be made more accessible and better aid students in the articulation of their transferable skills, hopefully enhancing graduate prospects. Outside of my studies, I enjoy live music and exploring new things, whether it be a place, form of fitness, or a food spot. Please feel free to connect!

Hello! I'm Charlie, an Economics student at the University of Leeds. I'm drawn to questions at the intersection of technology, opportunity, and fairness within employment - and what it actually takes to level the playing field. My research explores what employability gaps and challenges future generations  [Gen Z and Gen Alpha] will actually face, and what educational experiences need to look like to address them. The central question within my research is what various tools could be deliberately designed to close this gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students - given that access to the internships, coaching, and networking that build professional capital remains deeply unequal. Having seen that inequality firsthand, I want this research to produce something actionable - concrete design recommendations for educators and institutions preparing young people for a rapidly evolving world of work. Outside of research, I'm most myself when I'm playing and connecting - whether that's through football, padel, or a long chess game. I love travelling and new experiences. If you'd like to talk about educational equity, AI in education, or just swap travel recommendations, I'd love to connect.

Hello! My name is Nadine, and I am a second-year Genetics student at the University of Leeds. I am interested in pursuing a career in research and global health, with a particular focus on cardiovascular science and immunology. I am passionate about addressing pressing global health challenges through impactful solutions that improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. I strongly believe that healthcare should be accessible to all communities worldwide, and I am committed to contributing to this goal. Through my leadership and medical communications experience, I have developed strong interpersonal and organizational skills, and I am now eager to expand into more lab-based roles where I can contribute directly to improving patient care and advancing scientific research. This summer, I will be joining a research team at the Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, where we will investigate a novel molecular pathway involved in the progression of cardiovascular disease in individuals with insulin resistance. This opportunity will allow me to deepen my understanding of translational research and its potential to improve health outcomes. Although still early in my journey, I am excited to begin my Leadership-in-Action project and explore how meaningful research can be applied to real-world health challenges. The Middle East faces a particularly high incidence of cardiovascular disease, with heart disease accounting for approximately one in three deaths annually and occurring, on average, at least a decade earlier than in many Western countries. As a Laidlaw Scholar, I hope to use my platform to contribute to tackling this growing crisis and promoting more equitable global healthcare outcomes.

I am currently studying an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at the University of Leeds. I have a particular interest in Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease Over the past few years I've contributed to healthcare environments through volunteering in a variety of settings including an NHS hospital and non-profit Hospice. This work has inspired my long term goal of a  career in either Medicine or Clinical Science. Over the summer I will be carrying out a research project under the supervision of Dr Amanda MacCannell Investigating whether we can reliable manipulate fat cells into burning energy instead of storing it as fat, this would offer a genuinely novel approach to treating obesity, heart disease, and metabolic conditions.

Hey, I am an undergraduate student in Modern Foreign Languages (French) and International Relations. I am very interested in other languages and cultures and am interested in deepening my understanding as to how communities interact on a global scale.  My research project is titled 'Telling the Stories of Colonial Populations in the French Resistance through Self-Guided Heritage Walking Tours' and I will be working alongside my fellow scholar, Thomas O'Rourke, under the supervision of Professor Nina Wardleworth - contributing to the already pre-existing work of Nina and her previous scholars. This research project will aim to further shine a light on and commemorate French colonial citizens for their role in the French (Internal) Resistance. During my free time, I enjoy listening to music, spending time with friends, discussing topics, watching the TV, cooking and a bit of friendly competition! Please do not hesitate to get in touch, whether it be for educational reasons or simply for a chat. :)