Hi everyone! My name is Candace (she/her), and I am a third-year international student at the University of Toronto. I am originally from India, but was born and raised in the UAE. I am pursuing a double major in Peace, Conflict & Justice Studies and History. I am passionate about diplomacy and history, and deeply interested in legal discourse, debate, and various policy issues. Specifically, I am drawn to topics such as sustainability and climate policy, immigration, and community-based welfare.  My Laidlaw Summer I project will explore the potential for Faith-based organisations (FBOs) to work alongside newly emerging interfaith alliances to enhance their roles in philanthropy and development, while simultaneously preventing the development of a tradition of communal violence in India. My goal is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the activities of six Indian FBOs based on Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity, focusing on their impact on social cohesion, maximising welfare and the creation of communal harmony. 

My name is Diya Asawa (she/her) and I was born in India. I've lived in India, the Netherlands, and the UK, and I now study Biomedical Sciences at UCL. For my first summer Laidlaw research project, I investigated methods for improving the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea & vomiting in paediatric patients affected by cancer. The project was based at the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London. The study involves the analysis of interviews with the parents of patients at GOSH to understand how healthcare professionals can improve the side effect symptoms of patients and develop medicines that are more child-friendly. For my six-week Leadership-in-Action project in Mumbai, India, I volunteered as a teaching assistant at the Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil School in Sion, Mumbai, to support underprivileged students facing poverty and child abuse. I supported a Grade 3 classroom of 40 students, teaching Maths, English, and General Studies through interactive lessons, creative writing, reading activities, problem-solving tasks, and skills workshops based on the school’s curriculum.  In my free time, I love writing, singing, going on long walks/hikes, listening to music, and meeting new people. I'm super excited to be involved with the Laidlaw programme and would love to connect especially if you've got similar interests so feel free to reach out :)

Hi there 👋 I'm Neha Gupta, a fourth year student at the University of Toronto.  I'm interested in the law, peace-making, diplomacy and human rights.  My Summer I project looked at how paediatric oncology patients in nations with universal healthcare plans access psychosocial support. In Summer II, I hope to work with an organization to give marginalized communities (particularly women) the institutional support they need to stand up to injustices they face.  My Summer II LiA had me working with United Women Singapore to promote their women in STEM and women's empowerment initiatives. I focused on story-telling, digital communication and community building. 

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!

My name is Zala Bhan, and I’m a Laidlaw Scholar at Barnard College studying Applied Mathematics with an interest in biostatistics. For me, the Laidlaw program is a tribute to my cultural roots as a Kashmiri Pandit (KP), the ethnic minority of Kashmir, and an effort to preserve and give voice to a history that’s often overlooked. In my first summer, I explored whether a truth and reconciliation framework could offer a path for the reintegration of KPs following their forced exodus of over 300,000 people in 1990. Through case studies of the South African TRC, Bosnia’s post-war efforts, and Chile’s reconciliation process, I examined what healing, accountability, and return may look like in the context of Kashmir. For my LiA, I’m building an oral history archive to preserve the memories and voices of those who lived through the exodus, alongside personal artifacts and memorabilia. This archive aims to preserve lived experiences, support future research, and spark conversations about justice, memory, and belonging. I hope to continue this work long after the summer ends, deepening the archive and expanding its reach.

Hello! I'm a third year Biology student at the University of Leeds and I'm part of the 2024 Scholars cohort. I'm currently on 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 looking forward to my upcoming 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! :)

Hi Fellow Laidlaw Scholars, My name is Daïdo, and I am thrilled to get to know you all as we embark on this exciting academic journey together. I am majoring in both Public Health and Health and Human Biology at Brown University, with a strong aspiration to advance the understanding and dissemination of social determinants of health. This summer, I am delving into research that explores stigma and resilience among vulnerable populations, aiming to contribute meaningful insights to this crucial area. Beyond my academic pursuits, I enjoy biking and listening to Frank Ocean. I also love trying new foods with friends and crocheting in my spare time. Looking forward to connecting with you all and sharing our experiences! Best, Daïdo

I am a Brown University student aspiring to concentrate in an independent major exploring literature and politics in theory. My focus area is largely on reproductive justice, women's health, and sex education curriculum!

Hi! My name is Aaryn and I'm in my third and final year of Biological Sciences at Durham University. I completed my research project in summer 2024, with a Leadership in Action project in Boston, summer 2025. My research project focused on the regulation of stem cells in model organism Drosophila melanogaster (common fruit flies) specifically investigating genes linked to cancer in humans and my LiA was with the Timothy Smith Network. I am particularly interested in genetics and disease, and I would like to pursue a career in clinical research. Outside of my studies, I also work as a student librarian, and I enjoy singing in my college jazz band and musicals, playing netball, reading, and art!

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!

Hello! I am a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences at Cornell University. I study cognitive science, with broad interests in data science and across the social sciences. As a Laidlaw scholar, I worked on a transdisciplinary project dealing with the impacts of Indonesia's national capital city relocation from Jakarta to Nusantara. Through the K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, I studied how human and "more-than-human" communities are affected by Nusantara's construction. In the summer of 2025, I traveled onsite for my LiA to work directly with community partners at Mulawarman University and led the development of materials preserving the ecological and cultural heritage of this area amidst transformative change. Outside of academics and research, you can find me canoeing on Cayuga Lake, leading campus tours, and reading fantasy novels. Please feel free to reach out to me here or at kcr53@cornell.edu!