Susanna Kempe (She/Her)

CEO, Laidlaw Foundation
Yusra Shafi

MSc Candidate, Columbia University (MSc) The University of Toronto, St. George (HBSc)

Hello! My name is Yusra, and I graduated from the University of Toronto, St. George, in 2023. I'm now currently doing my MSc. in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution at Columbia University.  My Laidlaw research utilizes the concepts of Self-determination theory, and focused on analyzing the biggest barriers to a 'positive' university experience, possible solutions that can be enacted, and how all these factors influenced student mental health.  My work now spans the intersection of mental health, conflict resolution, and social justice. I work as a Case Manager at an anti-human trafficking organization, and also work in the climate justice space with Canadian civil society.
Zulfi Heydon

Student , Durham University

I am an undergraduate at Durham University studying History. I grew up in Oxford but come from an Anglo-Pakistani family - hence the name. I am interested in thinking about issues on a global scale and my research project reflects this: focusing on understanding the global rise of Islamist violence in the last three decades. 
Jenny Liu

Undergraduate Researcher, University of Toronto

I'm an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto double majoring in Molecular Genetics & Microbiology and Immunology as well as minoring in Creative Expression & Society. 
Priyansh Parakh

Student , University of Toronto

Nhu Huynh

Research Assistant , Youth Justice Laboratory

Shilvaan Patel

Student, Cornell University

I am a freshman from San Mateo, CA studying Policy Analysis and Management in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell interested in using economics and public policy to identify and implement policies that can increase economic opportunity for the underserved.
Ahmed Moselhi

Researcher, University of Toronto

Shaina Sharma

Student, University of Toronto

Hello! My name is Shaina Sharma (she/her) and I am an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto. I am majoring in Economics and doing a dual minor in Political Science and Statistics. My research explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on democracies worldwide!
Abhayjeet Singh Sachal

Student Researcher, University of Toronto

My name is Abhay, and I'm in my 2nd year at the University of Toronto. I'm doing a double major in Global Health and Peace, Conflict & Justice with a minor in Indigenous Studies. My research topic relates to climate change and mental health. I'm hoping to study the impacts of climate change on the mental health of youth climate activists across Canada and then do the Leadership in Action track next summer to put some of the findings from this research into action! Beyond Laidlaw, I'm a huge hockey fan (and player) and also love playing the piano [if you want to check out my piano page]!  I host a podcast called Different Boat, Same Storm (that's all about kindling empathy during the pandemic) and run a nonprofit - Break The Divide - that's all about creating personal connections and fostering empathy.
Angel Bella

Student, University of Toronto

Hello hello! I'm Angel and I'm going into my third year at the University of Toronto. I grew up right next to the city and absolutely adore it. I enjoy everything from art to music to Mother Earth. Hit me up if you like Basquiat, Frank Ocean and/or want to save our oceans!
Peter Ma

Research Assistant, University of Toronto | UC Berkeley

Hey there! 👋 I'm a first-year student at the University of Toronto who's into machine learning, astronomy, and research. Currently, I'm an intern researcher at the UC Berkeley SETI Research Center to build a high-performance detection algorithm to search the nearest 1 million stars for signs of life beyond Earth using the VLA telescope and the MeerKAT telescope in South Africa. When I'm not looking for aliens I love rock climbing, painting, and enjoying the outdoors!
Zuzanna Ewa Kosobudzka

Student Researcher, UCL

Chan Yu Kiu Elkie

Medical Student, The University of Hong Kong

Ananya Ashta

Student, University College London

I'm a student of Economics at University College London and as part of the Laidlaw programme, I'm researching building applications in subaltern housing in Imperial Shimla. This is a small part of a larger project studying social geography and urban planning in three cities: Jalandhar, Nasik and Shimla.  When I'm not drowning under coursework, I write for the research division of the Economic Tribune at UCL. I also enjoy practicing Brazillian Jiu Jitsu and have recently been introduced to climbing. 
Amelia Anderson

Student, Durham University

Lauren Pereira-Greene

Medical Student, University College London

Fourth year UCL medic with an iBSc in Medical Anthropology. I am passionate about increasing access to medicine and am the Co-Founder of a student-led widening participation group, DIMA (Diversity in Medical Academia) @dimafoundation.
Kristin Ramsay

Former Laidlaw Scholars Program Manager, Cornell University

Kristin began the Laidlaw Leadership and Research Scholars program at Cornell University and was responsible for undergraduate engagement in the Einaudi Center for International Studies. She now provides remote support for Global Cornell. A Cornell alumna, Kristin majored in international agriculture and rural development then worked in agriculture and community development with an NGO in Kenya for six years. Her graduate work focused on community leadership development. Kristin enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family (and 3 dogs).
Kathleen Payne

Student, Durham University

I am studying Sociology, and my research area is sense of belonging, achievement and peer group formation in first-generation undergraduates at Durham University. More generally, I am interested in the sociological study of health (specifically mental health and wellbeing) and the ways in which this intersects with inequalities. Alongside this, I also have an interest in the role Higher Education plays in social mobility and inequalities.
Hillary Yip

Student, The University of Hong Kong

Hi! I am Hillary from The University of Hong Kong majoring in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Chemistry. My research aims to create a compound that specifically targets a cancer-related protein, and to investigate its mechanism and efficacy.