Hello! My name is Marina Blackman (she/her) and I am from Columbia, Maryland. I am a sophomore at Cornell University majoring in Biological Sciences in the College of Arts & Sciences and concentrating in Marine Biology. I have always loved the ocean and marine life, so getting hands-on Marine Biology opportunities is so exciting to me! As part of the Laidlaw 2024 Cohort, I am so excited to work with Dr. Soon Hon Cheong and Lee Yoke Lee on their Commons Biodiversity Project in Malaysia. In collaboration with a team of scientists at the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, the Commons Biodiversity Project aims to apply Environmental DNA techniques to help conserve the Crocus clams (Tridacna crocea) native to the area. With its mission of Crocus clam conservation, this project aims to foster and grow a passion for marine wildlife conservation in the local population of Terengganu.

Hello! I'm Tatum, a rising junior at Columbia University originally from Columbus, Ohio. I’m studying Biology on the pre-med track with aspirations of becoming a pediatric physician. My passion for pediatric cardiology stems from my own experience as a child with congenital heart disease. This summer, as my Laidlaw Leadership-in-Action project, I’ve traveled to Majuli Island in Assam, India, to conduct a community health initiative in partnership with Sunbird Trust, a local educational NGO. My project includes leading interactive health education workshops for adolescents across eight private schools, covering topics like nutrition, stress management, menstrual health, first aid, and sanitation. It has been an eye-opening opportunity to step into the role of educator, connect across cultures, and help empower students to take charge of their health. Last summer, I completed my first summer Laidlaw research project at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, where I built a database of over 700 pediatric cardiomyopathy patients and analyzed athletic restriction patterns for children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. That work is now being developed into a publication. Beyond the classroom and clinic, I’m a student-athlete on Columbia’s softball team, a member of Columbia Christian Athletes, and part of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. I love exploring NYC, especially through food, performances, long walks, and bike rides! I also value time spent simply relaxing with family and loved ones. I’m incredibly grateful to the Laidlaw Foundation for supporting both my research and leadership journeys. I look forward to continuing to grow as a scholar, leader, and future physician.

Hi, I am a member of Columbia University's Class of 2027. I am passionate about topics at the intersection between economics and political science, my scope is usually focused on the U.S. but I am excited to gain a more international perspective! I have lived most of my life in the South of the U.S. and I am very proud to come from a Hispanic cultural background. In my free time, I enjoy exploring New York City or relaxing in my room with a good book (my current favorite author is Ocean Vuong).  Please reach out if my work interests you! I would love to discuss it and any related topics. 

Laidlaw Scholar 2024/2025 Geography and Geoscience Student at Trinity College Dublin Research Project Title: Investigating how trace concentrations of fluorine impact the growth of the most important carbonate biomineral, calcite.

I'm a first year student at Columbia University studying Biochemistry. 

I am interested in exploring the human mind and brain from the outside-in and from the inside-out. In my free time, I enjoy playing music (clarinet) and actively participate in youth organizations such as science olympiads and scouts.

Hi! My name is Kamala Karuppiah, and I am a rising third-year student at Cornell University. I am very excited and honored to be a part of the Laidlaw Scholars Network! I am majoring in Industrial and Labor Relations and minoring in Global Health and Health Equity.   In my free time, I love to dance, write poetry, and draw.

Ciao! I am Gio, a fourth-year student of Economics and Political Science at the University of Toronto. I hail from the country of Georgia, nestled between Europe and Asia, with a millenia-old culture and history. This Summer I am immersing myself in a small coastal town in Northern Japan to work together with local students in uncovering societal impacts of marine climate change. Global warming is a generational challenge and its effects are highly varied from community to community across the globe. I hope to engage in discussions with my fellow students in Japan and facilitate a series of ArcGIS workshops in order to map the implications of climate change on Sanriku coast. I would love to have a chat, especially if you also like food, geography, or world history!

I am a final year undergraduate at Trinity College, Oxford. I am reading Philosophy, Politics and Economics, with a particular interest in global politics and international relations.

Hello! I'm Sahana (she/her), a electrical and computer engineering student at the University of Toronto. Deeply passionate about sustainability, my goal is to leverage my engineering problem-solving skills to develop solutions that prioritize inclusivity and well being of vulnerable communities and environments. This summer I will be conducting research on the effectiveness of blockchain-backed NFC cards for disaster relief in Vanuatu. 

Hi everyone! My name is Candace (she/her), and I am a third-year international student at the University of Toronto. I am originally from India, but was born and raised in the UAE. I am pursuing a double major in Peace, Conflict & Justice Studies and History. I am passionate about diplomacy and history, and deeply interested in legal discourse, debate, and various policy issues. Specifically, I am drawn to topics such as sustainability and climate policy, immigration, and community-based welfare.  My Laidlaw Summer I project will explore the potential for Faith-based organisations (FBOs) to work alongside newly emerging interfaith alliances to enhance their roles in philanthropy and development, while simultaneously preventing the development of a tradition of communal violence in India. My goal is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the activities of six Indian FBOs based on Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity, focusing on their impact on social cohesion, maximising welfare and the creation of communal harmony.