I’m currently a third year mathematics student at the University of St Andrews and a 2025 Leadership and Research Scholar. My research project was in Pure Mathematics, specifically Algebraic Graph Theory. I studied pseudo-similar vertices in graphs using tools from semigroup theory.

Hello! I'm Fraser, a first-year biochemistry student at the University of Leeds. My main passion is biochemistry, but my interests extend across science and philosophy. I am ever-curious and love to learn and debate with my friends. The research project I will be embarking on this summer is titled: "Reimagining Electrophysiology Teaching for Neuroscience Undergraduates through a Design-Thinking Approach." I chose this project because I understand the importance of proper education in understanding and advancing science. The ineffectual education of complex scientific themes, like the brain, leads to misconceptions among the scientific community and the wider public. This can inhibit the advancements of science and impair related practices, such as the care of individuals suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. In my free time, I love playing sports. My favourites include rugby, football and tennis, but I am always eager to try something new. I also enjoy listening to music, doing resistance training at the gym, playing my bass guitar, and being in nature. Feel free to drop me a message or email me at zrwh2552@leeds.ac.uk to discuss research, university, or just to say hi. :)

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 a year abroad at the University of Montreal.   My research project topic this 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 and then to the UK at 19, 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. Currently on a year abroad in Canada, 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 34 countries so far and don’t plan on slowing down!

Hello! I’m a junior at the University of Hong Kong, pursuing a dual major in History and Korean Studies. My project explores how local attitudes shape refugees’ experiences and how public opinion interacts with government policies in this process. Using 1990s Korea and 1960s Hong Kong as case studies, I examine how refugees were received, how communities influenced their sense of belonging, and what lessons these histories offer for understanding refugee issues today.

Hi, I’m Katie McGowan, a Psychology undergraduate at the University of Leeds and a 2025 Laidlaw Scholar. My academic interests centre around human behaviour, social influence, and cultural psychology. This summer, I’m researching how cultural background and perceived empathy in artificial intelligence influence consumer trust — a project that brings together my fascination with social psychology and cross-cultural dynamics. Outside of academia, I’m passionate about women’s rights, youth leadership, and community impact. I’ve volunteered with organisations including Let Me Know (LMK) and Jewish Women’s Aid (JWA), helping to raise awareness around healthy relationships and gender-based violence. I’m also a Holocaust Educational Ambassador, committed to promoting dialogue, reflection, and education around collective memory and human rights. I currently serve as a School Representative for Psychology, advocating for students and working with staff to ensure that student feedback leads to meaningful change. Leadership, empathy, and representation are values that guide everything I do. Outside of my academic and voluntary work, I love travel and adventure — I hold an Advanced Open Water Scuba Diving certification, and I’m always looking for new ways to explore both above and below the surface. I'm especially interested in how research and leadership can create real-world change, and I’m always open to connecting with others who share those goals.

Hello hello, I am a 3rd year undergrad at Trinity Hall, Cambridge studying manufacturing engineering. I am hugely passionate about sustainability and what changes can we make to the built environment to reduce our impact and preserve our world for generations to come. From our mobility to our dwellings, our food, and our clothes I am fascinated by the changes we can make to tackle the climate crisis and leave the world in a better place than we found it. (It would also help if BP didn't dump countless barrels of oil in the sea too, I guess). We urgently need to set about fixing the damage that has been done to our environment, promote social mobility, bring greater circularity into our economic thinking, and strengthen our democratic institutions while restoring public trust in our processes. Simultaneously we could also do with just trying to relax a little bit. I think about otters a lot. Not like an unreasonable amount, but it makes me smile when I do and it gets me through the day. I have a dog called Rufus. He's a very cheeky boy and I love him dearly even though he has gotten very good at stealing food off unsuspecting picnicers who believe he's just coming to say hi and get some strokes. Please do drop me a message if you would like some photos.

Hello everyone!  I'm Veronika, a 3rd year life science engineering student at EPFL, and part of the Laidlaw Scholars Board. I'm a strong proponent of mitigating existential risks, of which I'm feverishly passionate about research in biosecurity and infectious disease. As a Laidlaw Scholar, I did my research in the Laboratory of Digital Epidemiology on approximations of human-like crowd behavior during pandemics with AI agents, with the goal of creating an epidemiological model that can quickly and cheaply simulate dynamic crowd behavior. In my free time, I love to garden - I'm currently in the process of growing purple sweet potatoes native to Asia. I'm also currently learning oil painting, absolutely love camping whenever I can, and I'm a big fan of metal music and love to go to concerts.   Our goal in the Laidlaw Board is to make the program better for you (and for future cohorts)! So if you have any questions, complaints, compliments, or suggestions for the Laidlaw Scholars program, feel free to reach out by sending a message on here, on LinkedIn, or using this anonymous form --> https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=m1iBtASKYUmzmpVa7SUZOYAOFAGNJNdOhV2pziMDdMZURFE0SEkxVTFDSEQ2TjhXR0cwNlNSMUFKUy4u&route=shorturl

Hi! My name is Sam (he/him) and I am from the UK. I am in my first year of studying Arts and Sciences BASc at UCL, majoring in Engineering and minoring in Cultures. My Laidlaw research focuses on understanding the emotional experiences of students in university education under different teaching methods and assessment formats. By providing a platform for students to authentically voice their opinions, I hope to make actionable recommendations through my project that will enhance the university learning experience and ultimately improve student satisfaction.  In my free time, I enjoy playing the guitar, going on runs with friends, and visiting new places. I am very grateful to be part of the Laidlaw programme and I would love to connect with other scholars, so please feel free to get in touch!

Hello! I'm Lizzie, a third year Biological Science student at Durham University currently focussing on biomedicine, genetics, and biochemistry. I have been extremely involved in sports during school and my degree, which inspired my first year research project. I conducted interviews with current student athletes studying and competing at top UK universities to explore hustle culture within university sports and its impact on student athletes' health and wellbeing.  I have spent my LiA at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus creating an Impact Report with Cambridge Global Health Partnerships, a linked charity to Addenbrooke's Hospital. CGHP provides ethical, effective, and sustainable partnerships between the East of England and low- and middle-income countries. My task has been to showcase the incredible impact of these partnerships in strengthening health systems globally. My Laidlaw scholarship has been a great experience so far and has provided me many opportunities. As the Advisory Board is designed to improve scholars experiences during your time with the Laidlaw scholarship, feel free to reach out to me with any questions or feedback or fill out this form: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=m1iBtASKYUmzmpVa7SUZOYAOFAGNJNdOhV2pziMDdMZURFE0SEkxVTFDSEQ2TjhXR0cwNlNSMUFKUy4u&route=shorturl

Hi! Having previously been a Laidlaw Undergraduate Scholar studying English Literature at UCL, I am now the Marketing Manager of the Laidlaw Foundation.  My research looked at collaborative and innovative practices in academic publishing, and community building is something I built a passion for during my Leadership in Action. Feel free to reach out or connect with me!

Hello! My name is Mayowa and I am an operations director with a background in architecture and interior design, bringing over eight years of experience in the real estate and design industries. I have led design teams, optimized processes, and driven operational efficiency to improve business performance. Currently, I am pursuing an MBA at IE Business School, where I am focused on expanding my leadership and business expertise to drive operational excellence and strategic innovation. As a Laidlaw Scholar, I am committed to research and leadership initiatives that foster industry transformation and efficiency. After my MBA, I aim to transition into management or strategy consulting, leveraging my expertise in operations and business strategy to solve complex challenges and drive sustainable growth.

Marketing professional with 5+ years of experience and a strategic, entrepreneurial mindset. Skilled in building brand awareness through digital media, influencer collaborations, PR, events, OOH, CSR initiatives, and e-commerce activations. Expertise in luxury and beauty industries. Currently completing an MBA program at HEC Paris with a 100% scholarship. Actively seeking opportunities in luxury brand management or global communications strategy.