Hello! I'm a third year Biology student at the University of Leeds and I'm part of the 2024 Scholars cohort. I've just finished 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 currenly on my 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! :)

Hello, I'm Ashmitha, a sophomore studying biomedical engineering and I’m from Collegeville, Pennsylvania. I have always found the intersection of biology and technology fascinating. I am motivated to learn different ways in which I can serve my local community by using science as a pathway. My creativity, problem-solving, and past experiences serve as forms of inspiration to me. I strive to pursue opportunities that challenge and broaden my perspective. In the future, I hope to attend medical school after a few gap years. On campus, I am involved in Global Medical and Dental Brigades, a club where we travel to rural communities in South American countries to provide medical services. I am an undergraduate researcher in the Schaffer-Nishimura lab, where I conduct Alzheimer's disease research. I am also a member of the product development subteam and recruitment chair for Biomedical Device, an interdisciplinary team that designs and builds biomedical devices. In my free time, I like to go on nature walks, run, listen to music, and read. I enjoy trying out new restaurants and hobbies like photography and painting.

Hello everyone!  I'm Veronika, a Master's student in Electrical Engineering at EPFL, and part of the Laidlaw Scholars Board. Next to my degree, I'm also currently building stuff to make my life and the life of others better.  As a Laidlaw Scholar, I did my research in the Laboratory of Digital Epidemiology on approximations of human-like crowd behavior during pandemics with AI agents, with the goal of creating an epidemiological model that can quickly and cheaply simulate dynamic crowd behavior. I love drawing, gardening, survival camping, and death metal concerts.  Our goal in the Laidlaw Board is to make the program better for you (and for future cohorts)! So if you have any questions, complaints, compliments, or suggestions for the Laidlaw Scholars program, feel free to reach out by sending a message on here, on LinkedIn, or using this anonymous form --> https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=m1iBtASKYUmzmpVa7SUZOYAOFAGNJNdOhV2pziMDdMZURFE0SEkxVTFDSEQ2TjhXR0cwNlNSMUFKUy4u&route=shorturl

Interested in Alzheimer's Disease, my research focuses on determining whether human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cerebral organoids could serve to accurately and efficiently model Alzheimer's Disease pathobiology. My involvement with dementia patients as a volunteer has deepened my awareness of the lifestyles of not only the patients but also their caregivers, family, and friends. Witnessing the widespread impact of Alzheimer's Disease, I aspire to contribute meaningfully to our understanding of this affliction. I am driven by a passionate commitment to pave the way toward the development of superior care strategies, innovative treatments, and, ultimately, a definitive cure.

An avid Psychology Student looking to engender inspired, tangible, and meaningful change. Actively pursuing worthwhile ventures to actualise this goal.

Welcome to MedStat! My website about all things medicine :) Read all about the biological basis of love in my Article ‘ Everything is Everything, but Better with You’! Here’s my publication on the underlying Pathology and Novel Treatments for Heart Failure with a Reduced Ejection Fraction! Namaste!  I'm Snaiha, a medical student at Trinity College Dublin. My ambition is to be a paediatric cardiothoracic surgeon while simultaneously dabbling in research, especially in molecular medicine and neuroscience which I find extremely interesting!  I have medical publications both completed and ongoing in cardiology, pharmacology, medical humanities, and anatomy!  I am an avid reader and enjoy Manga creation, still life drawing, and photography. I am also passionate about lifestyle and fitness, being a PADI Advanced Open Water Certified Diver, and a gym enthusiast!  Fun Fact : my name means Love and I’m about all things heart! 

Hello! I'm an incoming PhD student at the University of Toronto. Prior to this, I earned my HBSc at the University of Toronto, studying biology, anthropology, and business. For my first summer research, I examined what environmental variables influenced sleep patterns in children located in the Republic of Congo. I will be extending this research, with a focus on how sleep is affected with the extent of market integration. I've done research ranging from biomedical physics to pedagogy studies. I'm very passionate about interdisciplinary research, and currently have many research projects intersecting numerous aspects. For my Leadership-in-Action project, I was in a tiny island in Japan called Yoron, There, I helped out as an Assistant Language Teacher, piloted a Pen Pal project, and helping the science camp students affiliated with the University of Tokyo by teaching academic writing and by extension, academic presentation skills. The last goal was an extension of research I conducted with another professor outside of Laidlaw, on pedagogical implications of expert writers' citation practices. I would also like to take this time firsthand to understand cultural differences in academic writing. I'd love to chat more! Please don't hesitate to send me a message. Let's connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aisha-mir-903354403/

Hello! I'm Edie, a Physical Geography student at Durham University, with aspirations to enter the sustainable agriculture and environment world once I graduate. I'm really interested in how we can marry together the developing needs of humanity in a time of climate change and planetary uncertainty. 

Hi Laidlaw community :) I'm Christina, a third-year Vietnamese-Canadian Public Policy & Political Science student at UofT. My work at Laidlaw involves using mixed methodologies to reveal service gaps in Canada's universal healthcare system. My current project combines policy analysis & quantitative methods to advocate for the expansion of abortion rights in Canada's healthcare system and beyond. I argue that provincial jurisdictional authority can restrict access for politically contentious medical services, and that the solution requires intergovernmental cooperation across all levels of government. In addition to my work with Laidlaw scholars, this year I worked with the United Nation's Space Generation Advisory Council and Luxembourg Space Agency to provide a prescriptive review of life on the moon 30 years from now. I also work on the FINCH satellite design team at the University of Toronto Aerospace Team, working to clear licenses to ensure launch as Regulatory Lead and now, Director of Space Systems. Outside of work, you'll see me spending time with loved ones, playing piano, and listening to music. Some of my dreams are to achieve full free-diving certification, and to attend an Apex Legends/CS2 competition in-person. If you share any of these interests or if you're curious about my research, feel free to drop me a message right here on the network or email. I'd be thrilled to connect with you!

Hi everyone! My name is Lilah and I am going into my fourth year at the University of Toronto studying Economics and International Relations. I am deeply passionate about climate justice, and am particularly interested in exploring how public policy can be used to mitigate the climate crisis.

My name is Sindhu Sivasankar, a student at the University of Toronto. I moved to Toronto from Delaware, US, and call both places my home. I was accepted into the Laidlaw Scholars Cohort for 2024. I am interested in psychology and UX research. During Summer 1, I proposed and conducted an independent research project on the cultural differences in growth mindset and how that relates to insight problem-solving accuracy. During Summer 2, I worked with a mental health nonprofit called batyr on improving their website and conducting user research for global impact. I am eager to improve my leadership skills while pursuing research.

Hello! My name is Claire Auslander and I'm a rising third-year at Georgetown University. I am studying nursing with the goal of earning my doctorate in midwifery/obstetrics & gynecology. I hope to dedicate my career to advancing reproductive freedom through healthcare delivery, research, and advocacy!  This summer, I worked as a student nurse intern at the Alaska Native Medical Center's Family Birthing Services unit. I delivered culturally responsive nursing care under preceptor supervision on a high-risk, tertiary referral labor and delivery unit within the largest tribally managed health system in the US. My goal was to further elucidate my understanding of how sociocultural and religious influences shape patient decision-making, provider-patient communication, and access to reproductive services. Last summer, I researched the relationship between U.S. contraceptive policy and religiosity. More specifically, I looked at state legislation relating to insurance coverage of contraceptives and the relationship, if any, between religious service attendance. My research builds upon my experience as a research assistant in health policy and maternal health and I'm thrilled to explore the intersection of my interests!  A fun fact about me is that I'm from the San Francisco Bay Area but my family moved around a lot when I was younger. I've lived in Northern and Southern California, Texas, Massachusetts, Switzerland, and Washington, DC! Please don't hesitate to reach out, especially if it's to talk about policy/medical research or share your favorite music! 

As a student of Health & Disease, Immunology as Psychology, I am eager to pursue a career in medicine or research! I am deeply passionate about menstrual health 

Hello! My name is Elliot and I am a student at the University of Toronto hoping to study law, history and political science. When I am not frantically writing essays I like to spend my time outdoors skiing, hiking, climbing, biking, running... you name it! I also love reading and writing and I hope to be able to publish some of my work one day! I am really passionate about social justice and advocacy and I hope to be able to use my skills to help those in need, whoever they are and wherever they may be! 

Hello! My name is Cecilia, and I am entering my fourth year majoring in Peace, Conflict, and Justice Studies, with minors in political and applied data science at the University of Toronto. Throughout my time at UofT, I have developed a deep interest in the complexities of crime, particularly the powerful influence of organized criminal networks. 

Hi, my name is Amelia and I'm part of the 2024 cohort! I'm passionate about innovation, technology, and design, and how they each intersect with politics. In my first summer, I examined protest art from the 2019 Anti-ELAB movement in Hong Kong. My interest in this topic stems from cultural ties to Hong Kong, my high school visual arts education, and a desire to partake in a broader discussion on links between art and politics. Outside of Laidlaw, I'm also examining links between artificial intelligence and military development. Beyond academia, I love photography, art, and exploring the city with friends. Feel free to reach out!

Hello! I'm Sahana (she/her), a electrical and computer engineering student at the University of Toronto. Deeply passionate about sustainability, my goal is to leverage my engineering problem-solving skills to develop solutions that prioritize inclusivity and well being of vulnerable communities and environments. This summer I will be conducting research on the effectiveness of blockchain-backed NFC cards for disaster relief in Vanuatu.