Hello! My name is Abril Rodriguez Calle, and I am a student at Columbia University studying Medical Humanities with the goal of eventually becoming a doctor. My interests lie in the intersection between medicine, the healthcare system, and ethics, especially in understanding how healthcare decisions and policies affect both patients and communities.
This summer, I will be working with Dr. Sandra Lee on an NIH-funded research project exploring the ethical, legal, and social dimensions of global genomics research partnerships. The project examines how institutions and communities negotiate issues such as data ownership, privacy, benefit-sharing, and decision-making in genomics research, with the goal of creating a practical “negotiation playbook” to support more meaningful and equitable collaboration. As part of the research team, I will help analyze policies and institutional practices while gaining experience in qualitative research, bioethics, and global health policy.
I'm a third year student of Economics + Environmental Management at the University of Toronto (UofT). Growing up between Spain and Peru, I noticed early on how people's backgrounds and lived experiences with climate shape their views and actions in the climate space. An enthusiast of tourism, gap years, and adventure, I embarked on a gap year before starting university to explore 30+ countries and test myself in places where I could barely say "hello" in.
Upon starting university, I represented UofT at the United Nations Conference of the Parties in Azerbaijan, where I met some awesome, young climate leaders! I've also led climate awareness campaigns across schools in Romania, Finland, Poland, and Greece.
My interest in sustainability and my adventurous traveler side led me to pursuing Laidlaw Research. I am currently investigating how tourism management policies, particularly in Machu Picchu, may be replicable models to other UNESCO World Heritage sites.
I hope to apply my research findings during my LiA, while visiting another world wonder!
Hello! My name is Anna Halvey, and I am an undergraduate student of Philosophy, Political Science, Economics and Sociology (PPES) at Trinity College Dublin and a member of the Laidlaw Leadership and Research Scholars 2026 cohort.
I am broadly interested in political behaviour, public discourse, and the ways technology shapes how we understand and engage with the world.
As such, my summer research project, Delegated Citizenship in the New Public Sphere, explores the growing role of social media influencers in shaping political understanding and behaviour in an Irish context. Rather than relying primarily on traditional political institutions or mainstream news media, many citizens now engage with digital intermediaries who frame, simplify, and interpret political information on their behalf. Drawing on survey data and semi-structured interviews, I will examine whether Irish citizens are increasingly outsourcing political judgement to these actors, how this shapes political behaviour, and what implications this may have for the public sphere. In light of ongoing policy debates around democratic protection, the era of misinformation, and the rise of populism and post-truth politics, I believe this is a particularly important moment to study how political understanding is formed in digitally mediated environments.
My interests outside academia reflect these themes. I have a history of environmental, gender equality, and mental health activism at a local and national level. I am particularly interested in policy addressing climate (in)justice and the protection of human rights. Beyond this, I love being out in nature, learning about subjects outside my discipline, and trying a different genre of music every week.
Feel free to reach out if you have questions, want to discuss research, or simply chat about your niche interests - I would love to hear from you!
Hi, everyone! I'm a second-year student at MIT majoring in bioengineering and women/gender studies. I am a pre-med student, passionate about women's healthcare and accessibility. I am currently doing a research project on related to early endometriosis lesion formation at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge, UK.
Outside of the lab, I love fashion (even though I mainly wear sweatpants) and literature. I've been really into beading and embroidery this summer, and am currently reading Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés.
I have loved getting to know the Laidlaw cohort at MIT and Cambridge University, so please reach out with any questions or to say hi!
Hello! I'm Cate, a fourth-year undergraduate student originally from Connecticut in the US, and I study English and Political Science at Brown University. I'm interested in human rights, social movements, US constitutional law, and comparative law. As you might have already guessed, I'm considering going into the legal field after undergrad.
In 2025, during my first summer as a Laidlaw Scholar, I participated in an ongoing research project at Brown University called "In the Wake of George Floyd." This project is about documenting current and past protests across Rhode Island in the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd and writing about them in the context of social movements, racism, and police violence in the state of Rhode Island and throughout the country.
In Summer 2026, for my Leadership in Action project, I am working with the NGO Bibliothèques Sans Frontières in Dakar, Senegal. I am working on expanding access to BSF's educational resources and solar-powered, offline Wi-Fi hotspots to more schools in rural areas across several countries in Western Africa.
Hello!
My name is James McLean, and I am currently pursuing an integrated master’s program in Physics at the University of Leeds.
My research project , in the realm of Bio-nano-Physics , focuses on an imaging technique known as mass photometry, which aims to observe the landing sites of polysaccharides without the necessity for external markers.
My passion for applied physics is diverse, stretching from the medical field to aerospace and aeronautical engineering. I am actively involved with the Leeds University Rocketry Association (LURA), where we aim to break the UKRA amateur University record . Additionally, I have a keen interest in pure physics, drawing inspiration from groundbreaking research at institutions like CERN.
I am eager to connect with other ambitious and determined individuals who are committed to leveraging scientific innovation to benefit society and humanity. Let’s collaborate to make a significant impact!
A graduate of Cambridge University, Susanna’s professional experience includes over 15 years in senior leadership roles in international B2B and learning businesses. Susanna began her career at the Institute for International Research (IIR) where she first worked with Lord Laidlaw, rising to Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). When IIR, which was the world’s largest organiser of commercial conferences, was acquired by Informa plc in 2005 Susanna was appointed CMO of the enlarged group and also led the public company’s investor relations programmes. She subsequently joined Emap Ltd as Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer and CEO of Emap Networks, that group’s conferences business. Later she became CEO of the fashion industry forecaster WGSN and was latterly Group Content and Marketing Partner of the leading strategy consultancy Brunswick Group. A German-American raised and educated in the UK and a committed internationalist, Susanna has been involved in globally trading businesses throughout her career, directing activity in the Americas, across continental Europe, and the Asia Pacific. Susanna has been extensively involved with education and professional development over many years. She was Head of Group Training and led the commercial acquisition and integration of a portfolio of corporate training businesses whilst at IIR; and created learning academies at both Informa and Emap. She believes experiencing and appreciating different cultures promotes better global understanding, creativity and leadership. She is passionate about the power of education to transform lives; and believes that we need to develop a new generation of diverse leaders who are curious, bold and devoted to decency, truthfulness, and innovation. Susanna is committed to diversity not only as a societal imperative but as a critical component of commercial success. As an advisor to the trustees of the Foundation, Susanna first learnt about its purpose and programmes before becoming its Chief Executive responsible for the Laidlaw Schools Trust, the Laidlaw Scholars and its other education programmes. Susanna read English and Philosophy at Newnham College, University of Cambridge. She has five half blues in swimming and water polo; and played netball and rowed for Newnham.
