Jahir is a junior majoring in Quantitative Economics with a Graduate Certificate in Business from the Fletcher School at Tufts University. His entrepreneurial interests are edtech, civictech/media, communication intelligence, and consumer AI. Besides entrepreneurship, he is interested in Management Consulting, Business/Investment Research, Private Equity, Venture Capital, and Impact Investing. Jahir co-founded AdjunctX, which received the Brandeis Ain Summer Start-up Award and the Tufts Entrepreneurship & Innovation Fund grant. It's an expert network for consumer lifelong learning and AI-driven networking.

Hi everyone! I am currently studying Psychology at UCL, hoping to become a Clinical Psychologist in the future. My Laidlaw research project is about the potential for reduced striatal dopamine transmission as a transdiagnostic mechanism underlying psychomotor retardation across various neurological and psychiatric disorders. I'm hoping that this research would identify shared pathophysiological mechanisms that have clinical implications for more personalised treatments and advance our understanding of dopamine's role in cognitive and motor symptoms of neuropsychiatric conditions, potentially informing the repurposing of dopaminergic drugs. In my free time, I love dancing (contemporary/lyrical), reading, taking photos with my film camera, going on walks, visiting cafés and spending time with my family and friends. I am beyond excited and grateful to be part of the 2024 Laidlaw Scholars cohort and look forward to undertaking this journey with you all! I would love to connect with anyone passionate about raising awareness of mental health and improving access to education for individuals with special needs, or share an interest in neuroscience, psychology or my hobbies. I'm also very open to learning from others interested in different disciplines. Please feel free to reach out :)

Hello! My name is Alanna, I'm a 2024 Laidlaw Scholar and a final year BSc (Hons) Psychology student from the University of Toronto. I am a youth mental health advocate and the CEO and Founder of non-profit organization HOPE (Helping Our Planet Earth) and Board Member of registered charity Narrative 4.  My work at HOPE focuses on making mental health support accessible to youth internationally through mental health education, empathy and youth leadership empowerment. We are excitedly working on digital mental health tech - more on this soon! I love connecting with others and hearing about what you're passionate about, so do reach out and chat anytime! 

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! I'm Amanda, a third year Neuroscience student and Laidlaw alum from UCL. I'm Swedish-Persian and grew up in Sweden before moving to London for uni. These days, alongside my studies, I work for the Foundation as a Marketing Assistant. For my first year research project, I worked on optimising alginate hydrogels for 3D astrocyte culture systems. In simpler terms, I was figuring out the best way to prepare a jelly-like scaffolds so that star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes could grow in three dimensions rather than flat on a dish. This matters because 3D environments mimic the brain more realistically, which could help researchers develop better treatments for neurological disorders!  For my Leadership-in-Action project, I co-created Beyond the Books, a resource designed to help students from underrepresented backgrounds navigate the unwritten rules of university life, from internships and networking to professional opportunities that aren't always obvious if you're the first in your family to go to uni. Always happy to connect, whether you want to chat about neuroscience, widening access, the Laidlaw experience, or just say hello! One of my favourite things about this community is getting to meet people from different universities and backgrounds, so please do reach out! 🌟

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.

I’m an International History major at Georgetown University in Qatar, also pursuing a certificate in Media and Politics. My academic focus lies in understanding the post-Arab Spring Middle East through qualitative research—examining revolutions, civil wars, and Islamist movements to uncover the human stories behind these events. I’m especially drawn to the intersection of academia, art, and journalism. I recently worked on a creative media project documenting the making of a Sudanese feature film during the ongoing conflict in Egypt, and I’ve explored the political culture of Syrian diaspora youth and the voices of Gazan evacuees in Qatar. This summer, I’m interning with Migrants Organise in London, supporting grassroots advocacy, community organizing, and storytelling projects with migrants and refugees. Across all my work, I aim to tell stories with empathy and depth—highlighting resilience, dignity, and the power of collective action.

I am an accomplished entertainment industry professional with a global track record in product development and operations. I have expertise in leading cross-functional teams and leading complex projects such as the launch of digital products globally. Currently, I am responsible for the integration of Paramount’s streaming products with key partners in the UK market. I consider myself an inclusive and inspirational female leader. I am passionate about digital innovation and transformative business initiatives. I have a unique blend of operations proficiency, technical expertise and business acumen.

Hi everyone! I am a recent graduate in BSc Natural Sciences from the University of Leeds and an alumni of the Laidlaw Leadership and Research Scholarship. In my research project, I identified the structural changes in heart muscle cell organisation in a condition called Dilated Cardiomyopathy (see content section). I also completed a placement year at Roche Pharmaceuticals working on data science projects in the pharmaceutical research, early development, and product development departments. For my Leadership in Action project, I went to Mexico City to work on a sustainability project with make_sense (see content section). 

I am a writer and futurist focussing on the geopolitical impact of political polarisation. I have a solid foundation in geopolitics, foresight, and national security strategy, gained through a Master's degree in International Relations from King's College London and experience in research and convening roles. I currently serve as a convenor of the Next Generation Foresight Practitioner (NGFP) Peace & Security Hub at the School of International Futures. In this role, I bring together a global network of strategic foresight practitioners working on conflict resolution and peacebuilding. I also lead a Working Group which explores the impact of political polarisation on peace and security globally. Through advocacy, project collaboration, and policy paper co-authoring, we aim to contribute to a more peaceful global future. I completed my Laidlaw Scholarship at the University of Leeds where I studied Ancient History and Philosophy. My research project was on what impact the UK's membership of the EU has had on the UK's foreign and defence policy. I'm an accomplished participant in leadership training programs like the Laidlaw Scholarship and Mentora Youth Changemaker Fellowship.

It’s my role to oversee the portfolio of global opportunities and experiences available to students at the University of Leeds. These opportunities include our undergraduate leadership programmes that empower students to become active global citizens and future leaders. One of the most interesting parts of my roles is the chance to work with our local, regional and international partners. Working with people based all around the world on a daily basis broadens my perspective, exposes me to diverse cultures, and has enabled me to foster a global network. I am passionate about working with others to develop collaborations that provide the knowledge, skills, and experiences to prepare our students for leadership roles and contribute to positive change in the world. I am currently studying for the Leeds Executive Leadership Level 7 Apprenticeship. Undertaking the apprenticeship alongside my day job gives me the chance to enhance my leadership skills, understand the latest business theories, and apply them effectively to my work.