Hello! I'm Tyler Carriaga, a recipient of a full-ride merit scholarship at the University of Toronto, where I'm pursuing a Masters in Geography. Drawing from my multidisciplinary and multicultural background as an American-born, Vietnam-raised Filipino, I approach questions of place, identity, and community with a global perspective. My Laidlaw projects include research on ethnic enclave development in Seattle and program development in an urban poor community in Metro Manila. As a writer, designer, and urban wanderer, I strive to continually evolve my personal and technical skills in the pursuit of co-creating healthier, more sustainable, and just communities.

Hello! My name is Rie (she/her) and I'm a third year at the University of Toronto. I'm majoring in International Relations and Contemporary Asian Studies with a minor in Political Science. My research project for Summer 1 covers contemporary youth protest culture in Japan, investigating why Japanese youths are disengaged and apathetic towards politics. For my LiA I'm volunteering at NLA, an NGO that serves the local refugee community with material support and community-building. Outside of academics my hobbies are art, dancing (I did ballet for 10 years), visiting cafes with friends and binging TV shows :) 

I study Politics and Peace, Conflict, and Justice at the University of Toronto! I'm researching historical maritime delimitation disputes between Canada and the United States.  I grew up between Singapore and Vancouver, which has undoubtedly influenced my current interest in global affairs and international relations. I love travelling (I'm hoping to travel to Morocco next), tennis (playing and watching), and reading. 

My name is Lianne and I am a rising fourth-year student at the University of Toronto! I am super passionate about public health and related advocacy initiatives, and hope to be a physician-policymaker. Outside of academics, I love playing the guitar, singing, reading, dancing, traveling, and exploring new cities!

Hi there! I'm a first-year international student at the University of Toronto, studying computer science. I grew up in Jamaica, and I love learning about other cultures. Feel free to reach out; I'm always happy to talk. 

Hi, I'm Donya! I'm an English and History dual major at the University of Toronto with a passion for law, history, and research. Amongst other things, I am also passionate about National Treasure (2004). Feel free to connect!

I am a third-year student at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, pursuing a double major in Economics and Public Policy with a focus in Data Analytics and a Certificate in Business Fundamentals. My academic interests lie at the intersection of economic analysis and policy work, and I have had the opportunity to explore this through internships at KPMG, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and the Ministry of Transportation Ontario. As a Laidlaw Scholar, my research investigates whether individual-level gender bias predicts sound-symbolic gender judgments in names -- a project that sits at the intersection of linguistics, social science, and gender equity. Through this experience, I hope to deepen both my qualitative and quantitative research skills while building a global network of scholars and practitioners working on meaningful problems. Beyond academia, I am someone who loves getting to know people, new experiences, and a good challenge -- whether that is exploring a new city, trying a new cuisine, or pushing myself into unfamiliar territory. I believe the best ideas come from diverse perspectives and lived experiences, and I am always looking to grow -- as a researcher, a leader, and a person. I would love to connect over coffee, lunch, or even a quick message -- if any of this resonates with you, let's catch up!

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 Katya, a third-year English and French student at the University of Leeds and part of the 2025/26 Laidlaw Scholar cohort, currently completing my LiA in Auckland, New Zealand.   My research project topic last summer was titled ‘Distinctiveness in the Poetry Activity of the Leeds City Region’. I worked in partnership with the National Poetry Centre to conduct interviews with key stakeholders in the poetry scene, which allowed me to draw conclusions about the levels of connectivity and accessibility of poetry in Leeds. I’m originally from Russia but moved to Slovenia for political reasons when I was 15, then to the UK at 19, and just completed an academic year abroad in Canada, so I’ve had a fair share of adapting to new places. Moving countries meant leaving behind everything I knew, including eight years of acrobatic gymnastics, but it also helped me become more open to change. I see each new chapter as a chance to grow, connect, and tell meaningful stories. Outside of uni, you’ll probably find me at the gym (a post-acrobatics obsession), with my nose in a book, or planning my next trip—I’ve been to 36 countries so far and don’t plan on slowing down!

Hello! I’m a first-year undergraduate piano student with a passion for teaching and a growing curiosity about how education systems shape the way we learn music. Right now, I’m researching piano pedagogy in the context of China’s entrance exam system—something that blends my love for music with my interest in social structures and policy. If you want to get to know me, find me at the climbing gym, doing CrossFit, or out for a run with my dog. I’m always excited to meet people who would love to discuss education, music/piano, dogs and anything else that you can think of!

Drawing from an interdisciplinary framework, I broadly interrogate nationhood, citizenship, statelessness, and the distribution of rights. As a scholar, I hope to make my life a material of storytelling—seeking life with questions, wandering while film-making, and photography to capture spatial temporality.

Hi there! I'm Ashiya, a member of the 2025 Leadership & Research Programme Cohort. I'm a student at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, studying a double major in Peace, Conflict & Justice and Ethics, Society & Law! I look forward to contributing to and reading the incredible body of work on this platform. I love learning new things, exploring unfamiliar topics and interests, so please feel free to reach out to connect over research, passions, or curiosity anytime! :) 

Hi! I'm terrible at writing bios so if you have any suggestions or are interested in discussing your own research, I'd be delighted to chat.

Hi! I'm at the University of Toronto pursuing a specialist in Human Geography with a focus in Planning and a minor in Spanish. More broadly, I'm an aspiring city builder devoted to learning about physical and social infrastructure, labour, the built environment, civic participation, and how these things can all come together. 

Hello ! My name is Malaika and I am an undergraduate at the University of Toronto. This summer, I will be investigating the intersection of cultural and political sovereignty in the DRC through a biopolitical lense. Through discussions of repatriation, I aim to examine the role of art in the Congolese's fight for self-determination. Outside of Laidlaw, I am studying Urban Studies and Sexual Diversity Studies. I am interested in researching and learning more about biopolitics and abjection throughout my academic journey.  When I am free, I love to bead, jog, read and touch up my Pinterest ! I am passionate about social justice and I hope my work can translate those values into concrete, progressive change. Have a lovely day ! 🫶🏾🦢🪷

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! My name is Ronaish and I'm an international student at UofT from the UAE. I'm hoping to specialize in Neuroscience with a minor in Philosophy - alongisde, I also harbor a great interest in public health! As part of the Laidlaw Leadership and Research Programme, I am conducting a scoping review and expert consultation on the current state and future directions for palliative care in Pakistan. This is an incredibly interdisciplinary topic as it concerns and draws insights from epidemiology, sociology and public health - I'm excited to take it on this summer and hope to share my progress on this network! 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!

Hello :) My name is Ella, a second-year student at the University of Toronto! My research looks at how Chinese slash fiction is used by women to reflect real-life struggles and promote feminist awareness. I focus on why this genre—centered on queer male relationships—is chosen to express female experiences, and how censorship and cultural factors in China influence that decision. In the past, I have researched how coming-of-age narratives are portrayed in Western slash fiction. Outside of academia, I love to snowboard (in the winter) and ride my electric unicycle (in the summer). My favourite pastime is trying new foods and drinks while (sometimes) discussing how certain aspects of fanfiction reflect social justice issues. My (more normal) hobbies include reading—anything except mysteries—with a focus on Asian North American stories, listening to pop and classical music, and playing badminton. I will be studying English and East Asian Studies over the next three years!

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!