Zena Muqattash

Hi everyone! I’m a first-year Chemical Engineering student at the University of Leeds with a strong interest in biomedical engineering, particularly at the intersection of sustainability and healthcare. I’m also passionate about environmental and energy-related challenges, and I’m eager to explore how engineering and innovation can contribute to more sustainable systems. I’m looking forward to connecting with fellow scholars through the Laidlaw Scholars Network, exchanging ideas, and learning from people with diverse backgrounds and ambitions. 😊

I’m Oumou, someone who loves action, movement, and meaningful human connections. It’s no surprise that I’m naturally drawn to humanitarian action and volunteering. I study economics with the goal of working in policy implementation and peace-building initiatives, where I hope to contribute to solutions that improve people’s lives. I have volunteered at SOS Children’s Villages in Senegal as a French and mathematics tutor and participate yearly in the Emirates Red Crescent Ramadan Iftar distribution in collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi. I have also worked in operations at FedEx’s delivery unit, managed the social media accounts of a real estate company for two months, and interned in several customer service units. Random? At first sight, yes. But when I look deeper into this puzzle, I realize that every experience has offered me opportunities for creativity, innovation, and human interaction. Whether I was tutoring children, coordinating deliveries, or communicating with customers, I found myself drawn to environments where I could connect with people and contribute in tangible ways. Outside of academics, I enjoy solo sports and hobbies like reading, cooking, and painting, which allow me to reconnect with myself.

Hi everyone! I am a rising sophomore, Mech. E student with a strong interest in Aerospace engineering. My current research involves the characterization of the Emirates Lunar Simulant, which means analysing the chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties of our lab-made ELS. The ultimate goal is to make sure the simulant produced by our space lab matches the real lunar regolith brought back during the Apollo and Luna missions. Our research would later also extend to learning how to extract oxygen from the simulant, which will be a huge breakthrough in establishing Lunar bases. From there, partners like the UAE Space Agency use it to test rover performance, train astronauts, and validate lunar equipment, since all this helps optimize missions and reduce the risks that come with lunar exploration. Outside the lab, you'll catch me curating playlists, playing ATC on VATSIM with friends, or wandering somewhere I haven't been before.

Hey! I’m a Mechanical Engineering rising sophomore at NYU Abu Dhabi. Currently, I’m exploring robotic manipulation and navigation using Dynamic Movement Primitives (DMPs) to understand how robots how to adapt to real-world forces and perform precise tasks. My goal is to build a deep understanding and develop proper comparisons between traditional robots and upcoming paradigms within the robotic industry which can help us thrive in several fields and our daily lives. Outside the lab, you can find me making music, drawing, traveling, or spending a few too many hours playing video games. Feel free to reach out to discuss whatever comes to heart!

Hello! I'm Hani, a rising junior studying Mechanical Engineering at New York University Abu Dhabi.

Hi, my name is Alex Kurian. I am a Mathematics and Economics major at NYU Abu Dhabi.

I’m a Computer Science and Mathematics student at NYU Abu Dhabi, originally from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I’m naturally curious and tend to think a lot about how system, whether technological or social, shape the way people experience the world. I’m especially interested in questions around access, representation, and decision-making. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing chess, exploring new places, and spending time with friends. I also care deeply about education and have been involved in initiatives supporting students from diverse academic backgrounds.

Hello! I’m a psychology researcher and the founder of HaHaHelps, a comedy-based psychosocial programme designed to support young people in residential care. I am currently completing an MSocSci in Psychology at the University of Cape Town, where my dissertation examines the feasibility of HaHaHelps with adolescents in South African child and youth care centres. My broader interests include youth mental health, psychosocial intervention development, implementation, participatory approaches, and the use of humour and play to support connection, emotional expression, self-efficacy, and coping with uncertainty. HaHaHelps grew out of my Laidlaw Leadership-in-Action project at SOS Children’s Villages in Cape Town, where I designed and facilitated an improv-comedy programme for adolescents. Since then, I have continued developing and delivering the programme with young people in residential care and am now studying how it can be refined, evaluated, and ultimately adapted for use in other communities and settings. Before this, my Laidlaw research at the University of Toronto examined relationships between childhood adversity, aggression, and self-regulation. I’d love to connect with other Laidlaw Scholars and alumni interested in youth mental health, social impact, intervention development, social entrepreneurship, or simply finding creative ways to turn research into something useful in the world.