Olivia Hofman (She/Her)

Hi! My name is Ronaish and I'm a third-year at the University of Toronto, studying Neurosceince & Philosophy. In Summer 1, I conducted a scoping review on the current state and future directions for palliative care in Pakistan. In Summer 2, I intered at FrameWorks UK - a research services organization based in London. Besides research, my hobbies include parliamentary debate, trying new cuisines, occasionally binging shows and traveling! Feel free to reach out at ronaish.arshad@mail.utoronto.ca for a chat or if you have any questions about my research.

Hi everyone! I'm Jacob and I'm entering my third year at the University of Toronto where I study Financial Economics, Public Policy, and Mathematics. This summer I'm undertaking research on how political campaign strategies influence representation in parliament. Outside of the classroom, I'm an avid reader of just about anything that piques my curiosity. My apartment is nearly bursting at the seams with 481 books (and counting). I love learning new things whether it's a new tune on my tenor saxophone or a new language (I'm currently working on Russian and Italian). You'll also find me outside on my bike or the nearest tennis court when I'm not working at my desk and dreaming up new policy ideas to combat inequality. 

I'm a third year student of Economics + Environmental Management at the University of Toronto (UofT). Growing up between Spain and Peru, I noticed early on how people's backgrounds and lived experiences with climate shape their views and actions in the climate space. An enthusiast of tourism, gap years, and adventure, I embarked on a gap year before starting university to explore 30+ countries and test myself in places where I could barely say "hello" in. Upon starting university, I represented UofT at the United Nations Conference of the Parties in Azerbaijan, where I met some awesome, young climate leaders! I've also led climate awareness campaigns across schools in Romania, Finland, Poland, and Greece.  My interest in sustainability and my adventurous traveler side led me to pursuing Laidlaw Research. I am currently investigating how tourism management policies, particularly in Machu Picchu, may be replicable models to other UNESCO World Heritage sites. I hope to apply my research findings during my LiA, while visiting another world wonder! 

I'm a third-year Computer Science student at the University of Toronto, specializing in Computer Vision. My passion lies at the intersection of hardware and software solutions—aiming to build meaningful, impactful projects. Previously, I developed assistive technologies to support visually impaired students, making STEM education more inclusive and accessible. This summer, I'm working on a forensic science research project that involves optical dyeing using a multi-spectral LED array to enhance sperm cell identification in forensic samples. The tinkerer inside me loves messing around with robotics and tech, opening up random gadgets and making my own gizmos. Outside of technology, I enjoy cooking and exploring restaurants, always drawing inspiration for my next creation.

Hi! I'm Pranav, a third-year undergraduate at the University of Toronto, originally from the New York City metropolitan area—double majoring in Economics, with a focus in Data Analytics, and Public Policy, while also pursuing a certificate in Business Fundamentals and minor in South Asian Studies. My research interests are highly interdisciplinary, across socio-economic and tech policy, and the law—with a broad passion for global politics as well as focused interest in South Asian regional affairs and community-based impact. I'm always happy to chat with others and love to learn from my peers—please don't hesitate to reach out to me!

Hi! I'm Leora and I'm a member of the 2026 cohort at UofT. I'm going into my third year, double majoring in Peace, Conflict and Justice and Women and Gender Studies. My research interests are piqued in many different areas, but most strongly in global affairs, structural violence, peace-building, reproductive justice, and transnational feminism.  In my free-time I like to read, create new playlists, and browse vintage fashion markets.

Hi, my name is Alden Arciaga! I'm an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto pursuing a double major in Computer Science and Ethics, Society & Law. My dream is to become an AI ethics lawyer, and my research focuses around the intersection between AI, education, and culture. I love to make music, sing, make content (check out my TikTok: @aldxn_.ac) and rock climb! Feel free to reach out to me and chat about anything!

Hi, I'm Natashia, it's nice to meet you! ଘ(੭*ˊᵕˋ)੭* ੈ♡‧₊˚ I'm an incoming third-year student at the University of Toronto double majoring in English and Psychology. As my majors might suggest, my passions lie in using literature as a means of moral and political education, and how literature might shape the development of children! For my research summer, I'm investigating how Indonesian parents censor literature for their children. Through my research, I hope to discover the factors that go into such censorship, the psychological and developmental impacts of censorship, and how we can create a culturally-relevant recommendation for censorship of children's literature. Outside of research and studying, I spend most of my time watching anime (current favorite is Frieren!), lifting weights, and reading cozy fantasy! ૮ ․ ․ ྀིა If anyone wants to chat, collaborate, or ask any questions I may be able to answer, I would be more than happy to oblige! You can email me at natashia.septirymen@mail.utoronto.ca ♡

Hey friends! I’m Angela Chen, a third-year Public Policy, Psychology, & Digital Intelligence student at Duke University. I'm passionate about leveraging digital policy and journalism to democratize access to information. This past summer, as a Laidlaw Scholar for Research & Leadership and with Duke's Sanford School of Public Policy, I researched AI Policy, Music Streaming, & Cultural Labor in the EU & UK, culminating in presentations at the Oxford Rothermere American Institute, the Laidlaw Scholars Global Conference, and a forthcoming publication on Taylor & Francis. Previously, at the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, the world's leading think tank in science & technology policy, I investigated the use of AI in election information dissemination for minority language voters in the US. Having grown up in both Hong Kong and Canada, I also strongly believe in the importance of collaboration across geographical borders & cultures, and would love to chat—both about global information access and general cultural experiences! At Duke, I also help shape campus culture to maximize equity and inclusivity, particularly through Student Government—I believe that educational environments are key to fostering civic and civil discourse. Reach out here, on LinkedIn, or via email! I'm deeply grateful to be part of our inspiring Laidlaw Scholars community, and I can't wait to bond with as many of y'all as I can :)

Hello! I am a multidisciplinary designer and have been with the Laidlaw Foundation for over five years, working to strengthen our global Scholar community and amplify the impact of our programmes. My work lives somewhere between design, education, and anthropology, usually with sticky notes involved. I studied Human Sciences as an undergrad and recently finished a Master’s in Anthropology, both at UCL.  I am your go-to person for questions regarding alumni engagement and the Laidlaw Scholars Advisory Board. Born and raised in Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 Outside of work? Probably in the ceramics studio or a yoga class. Big fan of nature and very small bugs.

The University of Toronto joined the Laidlaw Undergraduate Research and Leadership Program in 2018 with the first group of scholars beginning their research in 2019. Funded by Lord Laidlaw and driven by his passion for student development, the scholarship at the University of Toronto aims to help students develop key skills as they aspire to be leaders in their field.

Hello there! I'm Ashiya, a member of the 2025 Laidlaw Leadership & Research Programme Cohort. I am a student at the University of Toronto's Munk School, pursuing a double major in Peace, Conflict & Justice and Ethics, Society & Law. I'm passionate about education and the governance of digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. I am currently exploring how this affects children facing socioeconomic disadvantage through my Leadership-in-Action project in Northern England. This builds on my previous work in student advocacy, my research of Indigenous-led education initiatives in Canada for my first Laidlaw summer, and my new role as a Center for International Governance Innovation Digital Policy Hub Fellow.  I look forward to reading and contributing to the incredible body of work on this platform (you all are awesome)! Outside of research, I love to read, dance ballet, explore, learn new things and make new friends - please feel free to reach out anytime :) 

Hello! I'm an undergraduate philosophy student at the university of Cambridge, with a particular interest in the philosophy of science and logic. For my research project, I investigated the history of the notion of privacy. I really enjoyed this venture outside my usual academic comfort zone! I'm also a huge music fan with an eclectic taste (always happy for a chat about anything from Mahler to Cannonball Adderley!), occasionally running from one rehearsal to the next.  Please get in touch if you'd like to say hi!

Hi, I'm Natalie, an incoming second-year student at the University of Cambridge reading History. I am an international student from Sydney, Australia! In my degree, I specialise in early modern European intellectual history, though my Laidlaw project centres on an exploration of imperial women's power and agency in the Augustan age, employing  a case study of Julia the Elder.

Hello! My name is Lily, and I’m pursuing a degree in psychology with a minor in music. My first summer research was interdisciplinary in that it included psychology, cognitive neuroscience, behavioral studies, and music. I designed an experiment about how emotional music impacts future perception and imagination. Then, I collected behavioral data to address my research question. For my LiA, I traveled to Cape Town, South Africa with Anjelica Young, Elizabeth Wallace, and Soyu Hong to create programming for kids and child/youth care workers at SOS Children's Villages, with the support of our coordinator: Youness Robert-Tahiri. I taught poetry and developmental psychology; I co-taught visual art, music, and college/career prep workshops. In the future, my goal is to get a PhD in clinical psychology to support the mental health of kids who survived early adversity and continue research. I love making art, playing my violin, and reading and writing poetry. Some of my favorite books are Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke and any poetry by Langston Hughes. 

Hello! I’m a psychology researcher and the founder of HaHaHelps, a nonprofit organisation developing and delivering a comedy-based psychosocial programme designed to support young people in residential care. I am currently completing an MSocSci in Psychology at the University of Cape Town, where my dissertation examines the feasibility of HaHaHelps programme with adolescents in South African child and youth care centres. My broader interests include youth mental health, psychosocial intervention development, implementation, participatory approaches, and the use of humour and play to support connection, emotional expression, self-efficacy, and coping with uncertainty. HaHaHelps grew out of my Laidlaw Leadership-in-Action project at SOS Children’s Villages in Cape Town, where I designed and facilitated an improv-comedy programme for adolescents. Since then, I have continued developing and delivering the programme with young people in residential care and am now studying how it can be refined, evaluated, and ultimately adapted for use in other communities and settings. Before this, my Laidlaw research at the University of Toronto examined relationships between childhood adversity, aggression, and self-regulation. I’d love to connect with other Laidlaw Scholars and alumni interested in youth mental health, social impact, intervention development, social entrepreneurship, or simply finding creative ways to turn research into something useful in the world.