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! I'm Thomas, a student of Modern Languages (French) and English at the University of Leeds.
I have just carried out my Summer Research Period on Professor Nina Wardleworth's project: 'Telling the Stories of Colonial Populations in the French Resistance through Self-Guided Heritage Walking Tours'. Having completed this project, I am increasingly interested in a career in government or the civil service, particularly in areas related to culture, heritage, and social inclusion.
As of now, I'm currently on my year abroad in the Loire-Atlantique, France, working as an English Language Assistant with the British Council. 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 :)
Hi! I'm Radiyat, a Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Leeds. I'm extremely interested in healthcare inequality and what it compromises, patient advocacy, and improving experiences within the UK healthcare system.
My research focuses on Catgorical thinking (the tendecy to make assumptions based on race, diagnosis, or racial stereotypes) as an issue in the treatment and lived experience of those with Sickle Cell Disease within the UK healthcare systems and wider society. I aim to centre the voices of patients themselves, exploring how bias, misunderstanding, and systemic inequalities can affect pain management, trust in healthcare professionals, and access to quality care.
Outside of research. I love staying active through badminton and going out on walks/hiking with freinds. I enjoy playing videogames and discussing politics 😊!
Please reach out to me If you'd like to talk about health equity, and ensuring underrepresented communities are genuinely heard within medical research and policy discussions. Or even to speak about new videogames or places to walk!
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!
Hi! I'm Emma and I'm a second year undergraduate student at the University of Leeds studying French and Italian.
This summer I will undertake research for the project 'Listening to Feminist Art Histories: Researching and Sharing Voices from the FAMH Oral History Archive'. The Feminist Art Making Histories digital archive consists of interviews with artists, curators, and writers in the UK and Ireland from the 1970s onwards, exploring the relation between feminism and art. My findings will form part of Dr Elspeth Mitchell and the FAMH team's wider work of foregrounding the experiences of women artists in an engaging and accessible way to the public. My interest in intersectional feminism and of the importance of representation drew me towards this project, and I'm looking forward to engaging with feminst art histories with the FAMH.
As a Modern Languages student and a native Welsh speaker, I'm passionate about languages and cross-cultural communication. I'm particularly interested in the way languages shape identities and build communities. Outside of my studies I enjoy reading, running, baking and travelling.
I'm excited to begin my journey of research and leadership as a Laidlaw Scholar as well as connecting with other Scholars across the Global Network!
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!
I'm a Law student at the University of Leeds.
My interests lie between Law and politics, and I've acquired a lot of experience in these sectors over the years. My main goal is to work in public policy and within Human rights Law.
Hi!
I’m Katya, a third-year English and French student at the University of Leeds and part of the 2025/26 Laidlaw Scholar cohort.
My research project topic in 2025 was titled ‘Distinctiveness in the Poetry Activity of the Leeds City Region’. I worked in partnership with the National Poetry Centre to conduct interviews with key stakeholders in the poetry scene, which enabled me to draw conclusions about the levels of connectivity and accessibility in Leeds's poetry scene.
In the second year of the programme, I completed my LiA in Auckland, New Zealand, volunteering as a Community Engagement and Media Intern at Youth Arts New Zealand to amplify youth creativity through storytelling and community engagement. After that, I spent a month working as an Events and Marketing Intern at the Laidlaw Foundation.
I’m originally from Russia but moved to Slovenia for political reasons when I was 15, then to the UK at 19, and just completed an academic year abroad in Canada, so I’ve had a fair share of adapting to new places. Moving countries meant leaving behind everything I knew, including eight years of acrobatic gymnastics, but it also helped me become more open to change. I see each new chapter as a chance to grow, connect, and tell meaningful stories.
Outside of uni, you’ll probably find me at the gym (a post-acrobatics obsession), with my nose in a book, or planning my next trip—I’ve been to 36 countries so far and don’t plan on slowing down!
Hello, my name is Yara Alhajji.
I’m a 3rd year dental student at the University of Leeds with a strong interest in public health, paediatric dentistry, and community outreach. As someone with lived experience as a Syrian refugee, I’m deeply passionate about equity in healthcare access and using my platform to give back to underrepresented communities.
Over the past few years, I’ve actively participated in several outreach programmes including OpenWide, Raised in Yorkshire, and Reach for Expense, all aimed at improving dental awareness and education across diverse populations.
I’ve proudly been part of OpenWide for three consecutive years initially as the Primary School Representative, then as President, and currently serving as the Outreach Representative. The society works to bridge the gap between dental professionals and the wider community, delivering workshops for people of all ages. Through the society I’ve initiated a collaboration with Raised in Yorkshire, a long term outreach and research initiative exploring public understanding of dental health and shaping how we engage communities more meaningfully.
Outside of dentistry, I’m an outdoor enthusiast who loves hiking and challenging myself through physical activities. My background and personal journey continue to fuel my drive to advocate for inclusive healthcare and make a positive impact through both clinical practice and community-led research.
Feel free to reach out to me on here or through my email dn23ya@leeds.ac.uk or through my Instagram account!
Hey! I’m a Mechanical Engineering rising sophomore at NYU Abu Dhabi. Currently, I’m exploring robotic manipulation and navigation using Dynamic Movement Primitives (DMPs) to understand how robots how to adapt to real-world forces and perform precise tasks. My goal is to build a deep understanding and develop proper comparisons between traditional robots and upcoming paradigms within the robotic industry which can help us thrive in several fields and our daily lives. Outside the lab, you can find me making music, drawing, traveling, or spending a few too many hours playing video games. Feel free to reach out to discuss whatever comes to heart!
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 a multidisciplinary designer and have been with the Laidlaw Foundation for over five years, working to strengthen our global Scholar community and amplify the impact of our programmes.
My work lives somewhere between design, education, and anthropology, usually with sticky notes involved. I studied Human Sciences as an undergrad and recently finished a Master’s in Anthropology, both at UCL.
I am your go-to person for questions regarding alumni engagement and the Laidlaw Scholars Advisory Board.
Born and raised in Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 Outside of work? Probably in the ceramics studio or a yoga class. Big fan of nature and very small bugs.
Hi! My name is Naziba and I am from Bangladesh, but currently in Hong Kong for my undergraduate studies at The University of Hong Kong where I study Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.
Besides my academics, I am a very passionate teacher who enjoys making high school science feel more interesting and less taxing. I also love watching movies with my cats and taking nature walks with my friends.
I am excited to start my Laidlaw research journey this year under the Faculty of Health and Medicine at University of Leeds . I am really looking forward to making friends in the Laidlaw community so feel free to reach out in my DMs if you wish to connect!
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. :)
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.
Hello there! I'm Presto, a second-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'd love to connect with fellow Laidlaw scholars.
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 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.
I am the leadership developer for the University of Leeds. I am passionate about learning and ways in which we can all bring more of our true selves to work. I am keen to open dialogues about how leadership can be both effective and human in the 21st Century. My influences include a quote I learnt whilst studying to be a teacher at university "there is no liberating influence than the knowledge that things have not always been as they are and need not remain so." (Simon. B.) So, you can see that as leaders of the future Laidlaw Scholars can bring about positive and lasting change - and how great that is! My qualifications include: BEd Hons,, MSc, CIPD Dip, ILM L5 Coaching & Mentoring, PG Cert Counselling, FHEA. I am accredited to run Quintax personality profile, PPA, TMSDI Team Profile, EQi 2.0 Emotional Intelligence.