Hi! My name is Evalyn Lee, and I am in my third year at Georgetown University. I am studying English, Art History, and French! Fun fact(s): I write satire for my campus newspaper, The Georgetown Heckler, and am passionate about Mokapot coffee. My research focuses on the 18th-century poet, Elizabeth Singer Rowe. Despite the limited scholarship on the poet, Rowe was an influential political writer who made significant contributions to literary history, including the development of the novel. Through my research, I hope to add to the scholarship that highlights the work of early modern women writers. 

Hi, my name is Sophie! I'm a first year Bsc Geography undergraduate at Durham University. My research project this summer is a pilot study investigating the effect of e-cigarette and cigarette exposure on prenatal development, focussing on upper facial movement. I hope to obtain an understanding of the potential implications to healthcare policymaking regarding maternal use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes. I am driven to take action to improve the lives of others, and therefore motivated to understand the impact of maternal actions on the lives of the younger generations and actions that can prevent negative impacts.  I really enjoy spending time outdoors, either walking or running. I also love to travel and explore new places! My favourite way to spend time with friends is to visit a café and have a good catch up over a coffee! 

Hi, everyone! I'm Martin. I'm a third-year student at Georgetown majoring in Biology (with a concentration in Molecular Bio), and I'm planning to minor in Japanese. My focus has always been on cancer biology; so many people I've known have been affected by it, and my life's goal is to contribute to a cure. I'm half-American, half-Bulgarian, the child of two diplomats; I speak English fluently, and intermediate Bulgarian, Japanese, and Spanish. I have a lot of different interests outside of science: basketball and baseball, chess, politics, music, and a whole other list that's way too long for this blurb. Here's a random fact about me which I think is kinda cool: I once saw the tallest manmade thing on Earth (the Burj Khalifa) and the tallest thing on Earth, period (Mt. Everest) from the window of the same flight! My research project for Laidlaw this summer is an application of the fields I've spent so much time studying- the focus is on cancer genetics, molecular biology, and laboratory technique. The goal of this project is to uncover information about a certain protein called SON, which is thought to be involved in the processes of gene splicing and transcription into RNA. Errors in these functions often result in cancer, so figuring out the roles and behaviors of proteins like SON could really help future endeavors like genetic libraries and drug discovery programs. I won't bog this down with an excessively detailed explanation of my method, but in brief, I'm using CRISPR technology to edit the SON gene and add DNA which encodes something called a protein tag. CRISPR can use a few different DNA repair techniques as a sort of "glue" to insert this protein tag; I'll be testing two of these techniques (NHEJ and MMEJ) to add depth to the experimental process. When the modified gene gets translated into SON protein, this tag gets produced as well. The tag can be lit up and investigated with a fluorescent microscope to determine where in the cell the SON protein localizes; it can also be targeted for degradation, allowing me to research the behaviors of cells with no SON protein and thus deduce its function through this knockout treatment. Which of these goals I can accomplish depends on the time and resources I have available, but I hope that summary sheds light on the problems I'm trying to tackle with this research project. In a word, I want to find out what SON does, and I'm going to use CRISPR-mediated protein tags to find out.

Hi! I’m Serena, and I’m a bachelor student in Life Sciences Engineering at EPFL. Healthcare is one of my big passions, and the intersection between healthcare and technology, especially in neuroscience, is driving inspiring progress that I’m excited to explore throughout my research in the Laidlaw program. Outside of that, my favourite hobbies are reading, playing guitar and going on long walks/runs. Don’t hesitate to reach out and connect if you feel we have anything in common, I’m always happy to meet new people!

Hi! My name is Ashley, and I am currently a second-year student at Duke University studying Public Policy and Global Health with an interest in a Health Policy Certificate. I am passionate about advancing ethical, evidence-based solutions at the intersection of health, environment, and social equity. I also find interest in conducting research focused on ethical decision-making and inclusive research practices that better serve underrepresented communities. My experiences across public health, communications, and community engagement have shaped my interest in using policy to promote social responsibility and health equity.

Rising sophomore at Columbia studying Economics, Philosophy, and Political Science  

Hi there! I’m a third-year student at Trinity College, University of Toronto, studying International Relations and History. This summer, I’m researching how civil war and genocide shape political transitions, specifically, why some post-conflict societies move toward autocracy instead of democracy. I'm exploring contemporary and historical case studies to better understand these patterns and the role of international support. Always happy to connect, feel free to reach out!

Hello!  I''m Luke, a first-year undergrad at the University of Cambridge. I'm reading History and Russian, mostly in the hope of one day becoming a spy. In all seriousness, I'm interested in Russian cultural self-perception: how its relationship with Europe has changed through history, how it navigated the ideological upheaval of the twentieth century, and how the current collapse in relations with the West can be resolved. I also like reading edgy Russian literature, ideally in the most performative setting possible. For fun, I like to spend time outdoors with friends and family, whether that be on a 5 day wild camping hike through the deepest darkest depths of Wales, or sat around a table at my local beer garden. I'm an amateur photographer, and love a good concert / festival. I can also often be found up before the crack of dawn to go rowing (not sure why). Finally, I love to travel and experience new cultures.  I'm looking forward to enriching all of these interests, academic and personal, through the Laidlaw foundation. If you'd like to say hi, get in touch :)

Hey! Its Nicole, a first-year law student at Durham ;) I aspire to become a qualified lawyer in the UK, but I'm also interested to take the bar in the States and practice over there as well. I was born in Wisconsin, Milwaukee, but I grew up in the Netherlands so I consider myself to be more of a Dutchie than American. Looking forward to meeting new people from all walks of life on this Network <3

I’m curious about how people’s values — faith, fairness, and community — shape the way societies work. Studying Industrial and Labor Relations helps me understand systems, while my interest in religious studies and sustainability keeps me focused on the human side of change. Through Laidlaw, I’m exploring how culture and belief can inform more ethical approaches to leadership, especially in Latin America and the Near East.  I want to bring that combination of analysis and empathy to a career in the Foreign Service.