Hello, I'm Elizabeth Pwanidi Philip, and I'm excited to share why I'm interested in the Laidlaw Scholarship. I'm currently a first-year international student at Durham University, studying Criminology. Growing up in Nigeria gave me a deep appreciation for community, diversity, and the power of collective effort.
Beyond my studies, I have a passion for volunteering, reading, creative writing, and cooking. These interests have taught me valuable lessons about teamwork, dedication, and creativity. I'm a strong believer in giving back to the community, which is why I volunteer at my church's catering service every Monday during term time and volunteer at my college. These experiences have shaped my commitment to helping others.
I'm drawn to the Laidlaw Scholarship because it aligns with my passion for leadership and positive social change. I believe that effective leaders are those who not only excel in their fields but also inspire and uplift others. The Laidlaw community's emphasis on leadership, research, and community engagement resonates with me deeply. I'm particularly interested in researching imposter syndrome, a challenge I've faced and continue to work through. The opportunity to explore this topic could help not only me but also others who struggle with similar feelings.
With the support of the Laidlaw Scholarship, I hope to develop my leadership skills, conduct meaningful research, and lead community projects that make a difference. I look forward to connecting with like-minded scholars and contributing to a community that values curiosity, compassion, and collaboration. Thank you for taking the time to learn about me. I hope this gives you a sense of my journey and why I'm excited about the Laidlaw Scholarship. I'm eager to meet other scholars and work together toward a brighter future.
As a student of Health & Disease, Immunology as Psychology, I am eager to pursue a career in medicine or research! I am deeply passionate about menstrual health
Hi! I'm a student in micro-engineering at EPFL, interested in nano-science. I love travelling, biking and film-making.
I am a student at Cornell University majoring in Environment & Sustainability with a concentration in Land, Air, and Water Resources. I am passionate about learning about the environment and solutions to address the climate crisis.
Hi, I am a student at the University of Durham studying Theology and Religion. I was born in London, but am also from Poland.
I am passionate about my course, but for me, the most captivating aspects of my degree have included the areas such as biblical studies, and the anthropology/sociology of religion.
Beyond my course, I am also a passionate language learner currently learning French and biblical Greek.
My career aspirations are open to continuing further education, becoming a teacher or lawyer, or joining the civil service.
I am enthusiastic about the opportunities the Laidlaw Foundation provides and am excited to embark on this journey.
Hi! My name is Spencer Davimos, and I am a rising junior at Barnard College. Through the Laidlaw Scholars Program, I am conducting research on the transfer pipeline from community college to 4-year college within the City University of New York (CUNY). I am hoping to particularly center the experiences and perspectives of students of color to open up a wider conversation about increasing equity in postsecondary education access.
Jahir is a junior majoring in Quantitative Economics with a Graduate Certificate in Business from the Fletcher School at Tufts University.
Hi! I am a junior at Cornell University pursuing an independent major of Interdisciplinary Studies (Education, Information Science, Psychology). Through Laidlaw, I am conducting research on the social-ecological impacts of Indonesia's capital relocation and am excited to explore the intersection between bioacoustics, Indigenous knowledge, and public education. Feel free to connect with me on here or on LinkedIn!
Hi! I'm Amanda, a third year Neuroscience student and Laidlaw alum from UCL. I'm Swedish-Persian and grew up in Sweden before moving to London for uni. These days, alongside my studies, I work for the Foundation as a Marketing Assistant.
For my first year research project, I worked on optimising alginate hydrogels for 3D astrocyte culture systems. In simpler terms, I was figuring out the best way to prepare a jelly-like scaffolds so that star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes could grow in three dimensions rather than flat on a dish. This matters because 3D environments mimic the brain more realistically, which could help researchers develop better treatments for neurological disorders!
For my Leadership-in-Action project, I co-created Beyond the Books, a resource designed to help students from underrepresented backgrounds navigate the unwritten rules of university life, from internships and networking to professional opportunities that aren't always obvious if you're the first in your family to go to uni.
Always happy to connect, whether you want to chat about neuroscience, widening access, the Laidlaw experience, or just say hello! One of my favourite things about this community is getting to meet people from different universities and backgrounds, so please do reach out! 🌟
Hi everyone!
My name is Zoe (she/her). I am from Co.Louth, Ireland. I'm in my fourth year studying Medicine at Trinity College Dublin.
My Laidlaw research project is about exploiting the relationship between LPS and capsule for therapeutic benefit against E.coli UTI in sepsis. Sepsis has a mortality rate of 1 in 5 and the majority of sepsis infections originate in the urinary tract (from UTIs). I hope with this research to expand the available therapies for sepsis infections derived from UTIs.
In my free time, I like to run, play gaelic football, and I also volunteer with Streetdoctors and Dublin Homeless Awareness. This year I am also the Chairperson of Trinity Med Day, a charity that aims to raise money for projects across our teaching hospitals.
One thing about me that surprises people is that I'm slightly married to my Google calendar.
I'd love to connect with someone who is doing research in similar areas and is open to a collaboration! But also I'd love to connect with anyone and am so excited to meet new people! :)
I’m an International History major at Georgetown University in Qatar, also pursuing a certificate in Media and Politics. My academic focus lies in understanding the post-Arab Spring Middle East through qualitative research—examining revolutions, civil wars, and Islamist movements to uncover the human stories behind these events.
I’m especially drawn to the intersection of academia, art, and journalism. I recently worked on a creative media project documenting the making of a Sudanese feature film during the ongoing conflict in Egypt, and I’ve explored the political culture of Syrian diaspora youth and the voices of Gazan evacuees in Qatar.
This summer, I’m interning with Migrants Organise in London, supporting grassroots advocacy, community organizing, and storytelling projects with migrants and refugees. Across all my work, I aim to tell stories with empathy and depth—highlighting resilience, dignity, and the power of collective action.