Nikol Chen (She/Her)

Design and Development Manager, Laidlaw Foundation

I am a Microengineering student that is passionate about soft robotics, neural interfaces, and neuroprosthetics. I also really like literature, it can be French literature or scientific papers. (for those interested I am currently obsessed with Stephen King books [not French I know ahah] and a nature article resumes in this video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDFuBoeVd_8&t=51s  )

Naveen Kler

Associate , McKinsey & Co

Yi Xi Kang

Geography Student, UCL

Hi! I'm Yi Xi and I love trying new experiences! I am a firm believer that everyone has stories worth telling so I strive to keep my mind open and live in the present :)

Campbell MacPherson

Student, University of St Andrews

I was fortunate enough to conduct academic research under the supervision of Stephen Gethins, former MP and Professor of Practice in International Relations at the University of St Andrews. Stephen introduced me to a truly fascinating yet often overlooked area of International Relations: sub-state and regional actors and their place in global politics. Through this, I have developed an interest in Scotland's place in the world as a nation without an independent foreign office, but as a nation with extensive international influence and a powerful global diaspora. This topic formed the basis of my Laidlaw project and future research. 

In my second year of university, I founded The Drew, an online student publication based in St Andrews which publishes articles on Scottish politics and culture. There was an unfortunate lack of Scottish issues being discussed in St Andrews (despite bearing the name of Scotland's patron saint and being home to Scotland's most ancient university), and so The Drew was set up to help foster more discussion. 

I take a keen interested in other academic fields such as politics, history, and philosophy. Although an International Relations student first and foremost, I had the opportunity of studying Ancient History and Classics alongside my degree for two years. If I were to ever win the lottery, you would find me endlessly cycling University, spending my remaining days studying Ancient History and Philosophy, Politics, Anthropology, Theology, Theoretical Physics and Maths, or whatever subject I develop an interest in down the line.

Isabel Sternthal

Student, University of Toronto

I am so excited to be a member of the 2022-2023 Laidlaw Scholars cohort at the University of Toronto, where I am an undergraduate student studying global health, political science, and english literature. My Laidlaw research investigates how an ecosystem of 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive cancer care is emerging at an academic cancer centre in Canada. I am excited to connect with other Laidlaw scholars, and look forward to learning more about the Laidlaw projects underway in Toronto and around the world.

Jimena Alvarez

Political Science & Economics student, Trinity College Dublin

Hi! My name is Jimena Alvarez and I am a Peruvian second year student in Trinity College Dublin. I currently concluded my second year studying Political Science and Economics.

My research project is titled "Exploratory research into the support worker’s perceptions of the integration experiences of Ukrainian refugees in Ireland". 

The purpose of the research is to gather relevant and comprehensive data about support worker’s perceptions of the integration experiences of Ukrainian refugees in Ireland. I will be conducting a focus group and individual interviews with 12 support workers in the field of refugee aid. 

I am very excited to connect with other Laidlaw scholars regardless of how different our research projects may be. I am always interested in learning from people with different backgrounds and interests. Feel free to contact me. See you all soon in the Laidlaw annual conference here in Trinity College Dublin!  

Aaron Koay

PhD Researcher in Global Health, University College London

I am a PhD researcher in Global Health at University College London. I am also a qualified pharmacist (MPharm and BSc Pharm) with an MSc degree in sociology. My research interests include global health, health inequity, health policy, politics and systems and gender. More details are available here.

Kassiopeia

Scholar, St Andrews

I am from London, UK

I study Philosophy and English at St Andrews

My research/leadership project is about the philosophy of ecology - specifically, ways of thinking about Nature and what that entails for human beings. I will be evaluating the two main alternative models to the 'anthropocentric' one (which considers human beings separate two and above Nature). These are the Holistic view - that we should dissolve the human/nature barrier and consider ourselves as parts of one entangled system - and the Othering view - which defines what is natural as what is non-human. 

I chose this project because I believe that the Earth Systems Crisis we are experiencing is not merely technological, but deeply rooted in the way humans beings think about nature. I also chose it because I find the ideas involved to be ecstatically beautiful, and to deepen by experience of the world. 

When I'm not studying, I like to write and read poetry, spend hours in art galleries, wander in forests, and dance the nights away. I also help run Refugee Action St Andrews, as Vice President. 

I'd love to connect with someone who is interested in philosophy, poetry, or nature, wherever they may be. 

Princess Agina

Community and Project Management Executive, Laidlaw Foundation

Embracing the vibrant world of the Laidlaw Foundation, first as a Laidlaw Scholar at Oxford University's Saïd Business School and now as the Community and Project Management Executive, has been an exciting journey. Nurturing our vast online community, working closely with partners, and supporting internal projects are just a few highlights of my role at the Foundation. Working at the Foundation and on my startup ConnectU is something that I cherish.

Off-duty, I'm often found at the piano🎹, mesmerized in a theatre🎭, or painting away the night with friends🎨.  If our paths align in interests or work, why not connect? Ping me, and let's connect on LinkedIn.

Alison Mary Carless

Student, University of Cambridge

Claire Taylor

Undergraduate Research and Leadership Scholar, Laidlaw Foundation

I am a fourth-year English and Modern History student at the University of St Andrews. My research looked at the intersection of gender history and transnational history by examining women's involvement in the Esperanto movement in Scotland and the Midlands, and my leadership-in-action was the Think Pacific Health Promotion project. I'm interested in all things art, history, literature, and social change! 

Trisha Bhujle

Laidlaw Scholar, Laidlaw Foundation

Hello! I’m Trisha Bhujle, an undergraduate student majoring in Environment and Sustainability at Cornell University. My interests in combining my enduring passions for writing and wildlife conservation have driven me to research multiple perspectives on highly-controversial issues such as trophy hunting, retaliatory animal killings, and illegal wildlife crime. As an aspiring environmental policymaker and journalist, I am passionate about making technical scientific information more accessible to the general public. I speak four languages – English, Marathi, Spanish, and Swahili – at varying levels of fluency, and I hope to continue to grow my language skills to communicate environmental issues across cultures as well.

Prior to coming to Cornell, I spent my entire childhood in Lewisville, Texas. Art is my greatest source of solace: whether I’m painting silly-looking cartoon pugs for my neighbors or gluing together a wall hanging from milk jug caps, I can lose myself in heaps of the most mundane materials and spend hours at work on a new project. However, I also love biking, running, or even simply spending time outdoors. And as a foodie who loves to travel, I’m always looking for recommendations of places to visit or new recipes to try! 

I’m excited to chat with all of you and read about your projects!

Watch this video for a brief introduction to myself!

Think Pacific is a UK social enterprise and registered Fijian charity. We work with the Fijian government and a network of local charities to achieve the aims of the Fiji National Development Plan with a focus upon empowering rural communities. Upcoming projects for Laidlaw Scholars in 2023 can be found here: https://thinkpacific.com/laidlaw2023
Sabrina

UG Law Student , London School of Economics

Katelyn Sherry

Undergraduate Student, Trinity College Dublin

Brenda Sañudo

Socio-Environmental Innovation Consultant, makesense

Peter Vojnits

Laidlaw Scholar Alumnus, Durham Unviersity

Hello all! I did my Laidlaw Programme at Durham University between 2019-2021. My research project focused on evaluating the immigration and asylum system of the EU through a case study of the 2015 immigration crisis. Following the completion of my undergraduate LLB degree I moved to London to pursue my postgraduate LLM study at Queen Mary University of London.

Aki Higuchi

Founder & CEO | MBA Candidate, Selan Inc. | Saïd Business School

Aki is an education entrepreneur, where her startup has worked closely with 5,000 children and parents. She is passionate about delivering quality education and improving gender equality beyond cultures. She holds a master’s degree in public administration at Harvard Kennedy School; bachelor’s degree in law from Peking University; Fulbright scholar, enthusiastic tennis player, and enjoys playing the piano.

Kyle Ginsberg

Student, Trinity College Dublin

I am a fourth year Sociology and English Literature student at Trinity College Dublin. My research involves the digital LGBTQ+ community during the initial COVID-19 quarantine and mental health resources. I also have a charity zine series called 'Sick and Tired' that focus on the queer experience during COVID-19.