Nikol Chen (She/Her)

Design and Development Manager, Laidlaw Foundation
Karen Yiu

Student, HKU

Ethan McDowell

Student, Brown University

Hi! My name is Ethan McDowell, and I am a rising Senior at Brown University concentrating in Computer Science and Visual Art. I love to make art, with a focus in sculpture, but in my free time, I've been painting and drawing to prepare for my upper-level studios this fall! I'm in love with the outdoors, and I'm a plant dad at heart. My current research is focused on an app development project for the Brown Arts Institute (BAI) where we are trying to streamline scheduling and administrative tasks for BAI workers/getting them connected with other BAI opportunities!
Mairéad Graham

Undergraduate Student, Durham University

Hello! I am Mairéad, a PPE student at Durham University. I am really interested in social justice and how human rights are upheld/fail to be upheld. I have aspirations to work in the international human rights sector. I am excited to hear about other people's research and looking forward to being part of the 2024 cohort of research and leadership scholars!  Outside of academics, I'm quite involved in some charity and activist work, particularly around the protection of refugee rights. I'm also big into netball and run my college's team!
Sara Nagpal

Student, London School of Economics and Political Science

Erick Kithinji Muriungi

Student , Cornell University

Snaiha Iyer Narayan

Medical Student , Trinity College Dublin

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! 
Rachel Clinton

Student of Sociology/Social Policy, Trinity College Dublin

Harrison Gerson

Student Researcher, Columbia University

My Laidlaw experience focuses on reframing the tourism industry to center the environment. In my first year, I developed a map of NYC's ecotourism, focused on environmental justice, circularity, and emissions reduction. In my second year in Santiago, Chile, I have collaborated with FEDETUR, the federation of tourism enterprises of Chile, to develop materials for tourism businesses to reduce their carbon footprint.
Sophia Cheng

Intern, Laidlaw Scholars

Aliyah Schlicht

Student, Georgetown University

Hi! My name is Allie. I am currently a junior at Georgetown University majoring in International Politics, minoring in Education, Inquiry, and Justice, and pursuing a certificate in Diplomatic Studies. I love reading, playing tennis, and playing music (piano, violin, and oboe). In the future, I am interested in seeking ways to use policy to address issues in society. This past summer (2024), I completed a faculty-proposed research project titled the Black Central Americas Project. I am researching the history and culture of several cities in Central America. The research will soon be released onto a website to become an educational resource highlighting Black Central America's dynamic diasporas. This summer (2025), I traveled to the US-Mexico border for experiential community-based learning about experiences of individuals in the border region.
Wong Seng Ying Amber

Student, University of Hong Kong

Hi, my name is Amber and I'm a year two psychology student at the University of Hong Kong.  I spent my first summer at University of Leeds. My research project aims to identify features of boardgames that can predict its reading difficulty. We attempt to create a formula so that laymen can use it to grade boardgames and choose the appropriate game that balances entertainment and learning.  Feel free to contact me if you are interested in my research project, or anything about psychology! 
Elisabeth Xia

Social Anthropology and Management Student, University of St Andrews

Hi everyone, I'm Elisabeth (she/her/they/them), although I usually go by Elly. I am Chinese-German and study Management and Social Anthropology at the University of St Andrews. My research interests include ethnic and cultural belonging, diaspora and migration, gender and sexuality and languages.  In my free time, I like making music and creating video content online. Feel free to reach out to me, here or on other platforms!
Nicola Mayer

Student, University of St Andrews

Chen Ka Yee

Student, MBBS, The University of Hong Kong

Clara Tobin

Student, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

Hi everyone! I'm Clara Tobin, an English Student in Trinity College Dublin. My research examines the source material of William Shakespeare. In particular, I am attempting to identify a publication of the Middle English poetry found in the 'Allegory of Death' mural in the Stratford-upon-Avon Guild Chapel that may have influenced Shakespeare. Although the murals were covered during his lifetime due to laws around religious iconography during the Reformation, the resemblance between the murals and Shakespeare's work is uncanny and has not been studied in depth - until now! Aside from literature, I enjoy ballet, classical and jazz music (I play piano and saxophone), travelling and going to the theatre. Feel free to reach out for a chat about my research or anything else that interests you!
Thomas Zaugg

Student studying Life Sciences Engineering, EPFL

I am interested in exploring the human mind and brain from the outside-in and from the inside-out. In my free time, I enjoy playing music (clarinet) and actively participate in youth organizations such as science olympiads and scouts.
Ziqi Weng

Student Researcher, Georgetown University

Hi everyone, my name is Kaity and I’m a rising sophomore in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. I plan to major in International Economics and minor in Statistics. In my spare time, I love calligraphy, street photography, biking, and I recently got into cooking. I’m also learning French, and would love to talk to French learner/speakers!
Ruoya Huang (Sharon)

Student , Georgetown University

Hi There! I am Sharon, a rising junior studying Business and Global Affairs at Georgetown University. I am minoring in statistics and planning on pursuing a career in international development, with a specific focus on bridging the aid-development gap to mitigate protracted displacement around the world.  For my Laidlaw research project, I am working with Professor Christi Smith of Georgetown University's Institute for the Study of International Migration to study the phenomenon of increasing Consulting publications and work on migration and refugee integration-related issues. I aim to explore how the emergence of a new organizational form in the refugee services space might shift the course of refugee incorporation during a time of increasing forced migration and rising political polarization, and its potential policy implications. Our study analyzes 24 publicly available consulting reports using mixed methods to identify prominent and distinguishable patterns and themes. We are also conducting interviews with consultants to explore the internal and external factors contributing to these themes. By contrasting these findings with those from the public sector and NGOs, we aim to highlight different approaches to migration and refugee issues. In my free time, I like to dance (my faves are Chinese Folk and Classical Dances!), watch TV shows, and spend quality time with my siblings! I love food and are always excited to try out new cuisines! I believe that nonverbal and nonwritten communication, including all performance art and culinary practices, are powerful ways to build connections and enhance cross-cultural appreciation and dynamism.   One fun fact about me is that I am an identical twin. My sister, Susan (got our name from The Parent Trap lol) also attends Georgetown University and studies Human Science on the pre-med track.  Would love to connect with anyone interested in discussing anything in the realm of social and political science or on their journey exploring their faith as I am, so don't hesitate to reach out :)
Benjamin Leynse

Student, Cornell University