The Hart Leadership Program is pleased to announce the selection of 25 exceptional students to the inaugural cohort of the Laidlaw Scholars Research and Leadership Program at Duke University.
The Laidlaw Scholars Research and Leadership Program is a leadership development program designed to cultivate ethical leaders across various sectors and fields of interest. Over the course of twenty-four months, Laidlaw Scholars at Duke will explore community-engaged research, deepen their leadership practice in community, and reflect intentionally on their values, aspirations, and commitments to our common life.
This work begins with a spring gateway course, “Community-Engaged Research Leadership for Social Change” (PUBPOL 290), taught by Dr. Hy Huynh. In this course, Laidlaw Scholars will explore together essential frameworks and strategies for fostering ethical engagement and leadership that promote meaningful social change through research with and within communities. With new tools in hand for understanding self, society, and the practice of leadership, Laidlaw Scholars will then apply and expand their learning during two immersive summer experiences in community-engaged research and leadership practice, respectively. Along the way, the Laidlaw Colloquium, a four-part dinner series held during the academic year, will provide space for continued learning and reflection on ethical leadership. Laidlaw Scholars will also have opportunities to share their work with the global Laidlaw Scholars community and beyond, growing their network of scholarship and deepening their commitment to a life of care for the common good.
The Laidlaw Scholars program is supported by a generous grant from the Laidlaw Foundation.
Introducing the 2025 SOL Fellows:
Aditi Avinash is a first-year student from Castle Pines, Colorado pursuing a self-designed major through Program II that combines ethics, health policy, history, and medicine. Driven by a passion for connecting research with patient advocacy, Aditi is especially interested in how healthcare intertwines with societal values and public policy. Her dedication to understanding illness began with high school research focused on celiac disease, inspiring her commitment to transformative approaches in patient care and equitable healthcare solutions. At Duke, Aditi is involved in Duke Chorale, the Duke Medical Ethics Journal, and Progress Period. In her free time, she enjoys rereading old children’s books like Percy Jackson, binging New Girl, having deep genuine conversations with her friends that challenge her perspective, and collecting vinyl records.
Angela Chen is a sophomore from Hong Kong and Canada studying Public Policy, Psychology, Journalism and Media, Digital Intelligence, and Computer Science. She is passionate about researching information ecosystems and inequalities (including misinformation and its psychological drivers) and how digital policy shapes public trust in these ecosystems. In the summer of 2024, she participated in a DukeEngage program in which she investigated AI use in elections information dissemination for minority language voters in the United States. Angela is continuing her research on campus through Bass Connections and is thrilled to expand this work beyond national borders through the Laidlaw Scholars Program. At Duke, Angela is involved in the Duke Student Government, Information Technology Advisory Council, Global Fellows Program, Hong Kong Students Association, Quad Identity Team, and Transformative Ideas Program. In her free time, you will find Angela strolling around campus with friends and café hopping on and off campus.
Anika Dugal is a first-year A.B. Duke Scholar from Old Bridge, New Jersey. She plans on pursuing a double major in Computer Science and Public Policy. Anika’s passions lie in tech policy, artificial intelligence and machine learning, gender justice, and social entrepreneurship. She is involved with grassroots organizing for equitable tech policy and is dedicated to promoting gender equity within artificial intelligence. At Duke, Anika serves on the POLIS Student Committee and is a student advisor at the Franklin Center for Human Rights as well as the Office of University Scholars and Fellows. She also competes in cyber policy competitions with Duke Cyber, serves on the Executive Board of Duke Women in National Security, and is a DTech Scholar. Anika’s work has been recognized by numerous organizations, including being named a Coca-Cola Scholar, U.S. Senate Youth Delegate, Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award recipient, and Prudential Emerging Visionary.
Ashley Gutierrez-Torres is a first-year student intending to major in Public Policy and Global Health. Her experience in mental health advocacy has sparked her interest in bioethics, medical policy, and genetic editing. Additionally, as a low-income student, Ashley is especially interested in research disparities and equal representation of all ethnicities through her future research efforts. In light of these issues, Ashley hopes to apply policy to further aid and protect underrepresented communities that are overlooked in political, research, and legal sectors. Furthermore, she hopes to extend these efforts to an international level through the Laidlaw Scholars Program summer immersive experiences. On campus, Ashley is involved with the Duke Medical Ethics Journal as a review and design editor and serves as a Political Advocacy and Programming Committee member for the Latinx affinity group Mi Gente. She also works for a mental health nonprofit called Kid in the Corner as Marketing Communications Coordinator to spread mental health awareness amongst young adults. In her free time, Ashley has a variety of hobbies such as baking, dancing, puzzles, and photo editing.
Chloe Joy Chang is a Biomedical Engineering and Marine Science and Conservation double major who grew up in Hong Kong. She is passionate about health and education equity, child welfare, and exploring the intersections between marine life and human health. She is especially concerned about heavy metals in our waters and hopes to raise awareness regarding the impacts of water pollution on pathology. On campus, Chloe Joy is a Duke Student Government senator, a Soil Fertility Fellow at the Richter Lab and Campus Farm, a dPS Service Fellow, and writes for the Chronicle. In her free time, you can catch her grabbing her fourth (or fifth) coffee of the day, reading on her Kindle, going on a dive, or running on the Al Buehler Trail.
Chloe Marrache is a first-year student at Duke University planning to pursue behavioral economics and decision science with a certificate in Sustainability Engagement. She is passionate about environmental economics and has conducted research on cap-and-trade systems as well as sustainability and culture studies, including an investigation into greenwashing in Morocco. On campus, Chloe is involved with the Duke Climate Coalition and Duke PAWS, and outside of school, she actively volunteers with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. She intends to study and volunteer in France, drawing on her background living in France and her French language fluency. In her free time, she enjoys thrifting, practicing yoga and meditation, and spending time with her certified pet therapy dog, Buttercup.
Christina Zhang is a sophomore from Vancouver, Canada studying Statistics with a concentration in Data Science and Environmental Science and Policy. With a passion for sustainable energy solutions, she is eager to explore the roles of policy and community-driven approaches in addressing climate challenges. Christina is particularly interested in the future of clean energy and how it intersects with social equity, recognizing the importance of both technology and justice-driven implementation. On campus, she is involved in research with Ignite, an engineering outreach program, and is active in the Duke Energy and Climate Club and DTech. In her free time, Christina enjoys skiing, hiking in the Pacific Northwest, and listening to true crime podcasts.
Jasmine Fan is a current Duke sophomore from California interested in Public Policy, English, and creative writing. On campus, she enjoys writing and editing for publications like The Chronicle, The Muse, and Borderless. She is also part of the Duke-UNC China Leadership Summit Executive Team, Duke Justice Project, and Phi Alpha Delta. In her free time, she loves watching chess, reading and writing poetry, listening to music, and skateboarding.
Jiaheng Yin is a first-year student from Singapore intending to major in Public Policy and Economics. He hopes to reconcile the profit-purpose paradox through exploring how economic and social policies can create equitable and prosperous societies. At Duke, Jiaheng is actively involved in Scale & Coin Business Society, Duke Partnership for Service Fellowship, Singapore Students Association, and Duke Tour Guides. In his free time, he enjoys backpacking, cycling, and theater.
Jiyu Hong is a first-year student at Duke University from Greensboro, North Carolina. She is hoping to pursue the Linguistics and Computer Science interdepartmental major on the pre-medical track, along with a minor in Creative Writing. She hopes to integrate both the humanities and the sciences into her studies during her time at Duke with the goal of becoming a doctor and fiction writer. She is drawn to the Laidlaw Scholars Program because of its interdisciplinary focus on ethics, leadership, and research and is excited for the close community and culture of collaboration. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, baking or cooking for friends and family, and playing the cello. She is part of various organizations at Duke, including KaJOK (Korean American club), Club Taekwondo, Harmonies for Health, and Eyeserve.
Kailynn Oliver is a Biology major at Duke University minoring in African and African American Studies. With a strong commitment to improving healthcare for underrepresented communities, Kailynn is driven to address and reduce health disparities as she prepares for a career in medicine. Her passion for advocacy extends beyond academics. She actively engages in initiatives to increase access to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) education for young girls of color from low-income backgrounds. Kailynn is the founder of S.T.E.A.M. Busters, a club she started in her hometown in Arkansas, which educates children about diverse STEAM careers through interactive experiments and community involvement. Through the Laidlaw Scholars Program, Kailynn aims to deepen her research skills and strengthen her impact on equitable healthcare solutions. In the long term, she envisions a healthcare system that is more inclusive, culturally competent, and accessible for all communities, particularly those historically underserved.
Kate Westlake is a first-year student from Woodbury, Minnesota planning to pursue a major in Public Policy and a certificate in Human Rights on the Pre-Law track. She is deeply committed to creating a more sustainable and just world with a particular focus on water access and infrastructure. Kate is passionate about hydropolitics and the intersection of policy and litigation. She is especially curious about the dynamics of peace, cooperation, and conflict in a world facing environmental degradation and shifting geopolitical realities. Through the Laidlaw Scholars Program, she is excited to further her commitment to meaningful change and expand her approach to leading personal, domestic, and international water transformations in a way that is ethical and in service to the communities that need it most. On campus, Kate is a member of the Mock Trial team and serves on the Student Advisory Board for the Human Rights Center. She is also a sudoku addict and herbal tea enthusiast.
Kate-Yeonjae Jeong is a first-year student at Duke University pursuing a Sociology major with a concentration in Works and Organizations, alongside a certificate in Markets and Management Studies. She is passionate about the intersection of media and marketing with a keen interest in leveraging strategic communication to drive business growth and organizational impact. Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, she currently lives in Houston, Texas. In her free time, you can find her cooking from scratch, going on long walks, or curating playlists.
Leidi Salcedo-Ureña is a first-year student originally from the Dominican Republic and raised in Miami, Florida. She has a keen interest in development economics, particularly in the context of Latin America. Growing up in a community shaped by Latin American culture has given her a deep appreciation for the region’s values, complexities, and potential. Through the Laidlaw Scholars Program, she hopes to broaden her experiences and blend academics with hands-on involvement to foster positive change, both locally and globally. On campus, Leidi is involved in a variety of affinity groups like Mi Gente, SOCA, and BSA as well as clubs dedicated to improving the understanding of environmental issues and urban planning. In her free time, you can find her watching her favorite TV shows or boxing.
Liliana Fore is a first-year student at Duke University fueled by her passion for social equity and addressing the intersection of homelessness, domestic violence, and criminal justice. As a National Ambassador for the One Love Foundation, she has trained over 1,000 peers to identify unhealthy relationship dynamics and lobbied on Capitol Hill for educational funding. On campus, she enriches student life as a contributor to The Chronicle, a member of Camp Kesem, Special Olympics, SHAPE and an active participant in Duke Democrats. Skilled in Spanish and adept with various digital tools, she is a dedicated advocate for social justice, striving to make a meaningful impact both locally and globally.
Lizeth Rocha Rocha is a Political Science and Spanish double major from Reno, Nevada. As a first-generation, low-income student and QuestBridge Scholar, she is dedicated to researching disparities and understanding how they shape political beliefs. Raised in an immigrant family, Lizeth is passionate about addressing injustices within her community. She currently serves as the Connections and Caucus Chair for Mi Gente, a Latinx affinity group, where she is helping to organize the first-ever Latinx Caucus on campus. She is also committed to service and academics as the Recruitment and Retention Chair for the Zeta Mu Chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. In her free time, Lizeth enjoys playing video games, staying connected with family, laughing with friends, and listening to her bizarre playlist.
Madison Mikayelyan is a first-year student originally from New York City and currently majoring in English and Psychology on the pre-law track. She is passionate about the role of perspective in connecting communities as well as developments in environmental policy. She is an editor for the Duke Undergraduate Law Review as well as a photographer for the Duke Chanticleer and can often be found in BC Plaza filming a video for Duke Student Broadcasting. In her free time, she loves to read and is currently exploring more literary fiction.
Major Richmond is a first-year student at Duke University exploring Environmental Science & Policy, Public Policy, and Spanish. Passionate about politics, law, and building a greener future, Major participated enthusiastically in the Humanitarian Challenges Focus cluster in his first semester at Duke. He values honesty, vulnerability, approachability, and being “chalant.” Before Duke, Major provided policy ideas to his congressional representative Brian Fitzpatrick and donated an outdoor volleyball net to his high school through student council fundraising. On campus, Major is a Senator of Services and Sustainability for Duke Student Government, Co-President of the GA/Southgate House Council, a member of the pre-law fraternity, a writer for The Chronicle, and a proud Cameron Crazie. At Duke and beyond, he loves to attend sporting events, play tennis and racquetball, and road trip to the nearest theme park.
Mao Kobayashi is a sophomore from Tokyo, Japan studying Chemistry with a minor in Statistics. Her experiences working on farms sparked a deep commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural practices and fostering more equitable global food distribution systems with a particular focus on solutions grounded in biological research. On campus, Mao conducts research in Plant Molecular Biology labs, serves as a SAGE Peer Facilitator, and connects with prospective students as a Duke Ambassador for Undergraduate Admissions. Through the Laidlaw Scholars Program, she is eager to link farming communities with scientific research, focusing on ethical, community-driven solutions. In her free time, Mao enjoys table tennis, birdwatching, playing the flute, and exploring new trails.
Mia Velasco is a first-year student from Central Jersey studying Public Policy with a minor in Education and a planned certificate in Health Policy. She is passionate about educational and healthcare reform specifically for low-income communities. In the future, she hopes to attend law school or run for office. Currently, she serves as an intern in the Duke University Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards and as a volunteer in Bull City Scholars. She plans to further learn how low-income communities are formed and why they have limited access to education and healthcare. In her free time, Mia enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her dog Duke. An avid crocheter, she has a small business through which she aims to spread awareness for healthcare access through her creations, which include stuffed animals and clothing.
Nathaniel George is a first-year student from Phoenix, AZ planning to double major in Public Policy and Economics. On campus, Nathaniel is involved with Duke Student Government and serves as a First-Year Senator for the Equity and Outreach Committee. He is also involved with organizations like Duke Business of Retail Society, TEDxDuke, Duke Delta Sigma Pi, Duke Justice Project, and DJ at Duke. Back home, Nathaniel was involved with clubs, initiatives, and organizations related to education, equity and inclusion, and civic engagement. In his free time, Nathaniel enjoys spending time with family, hiking, reading and writing poetry, trying new recipes, and thrifting with friends. Through the Laidlaw Scholars Program, Nathaniel is hoping to broaden his worldview and gain experience with interdisciplinary research opportunities.
Pallavi Bhargava, a sophomore from Bethesda, Maryland, is pursuing a double major in Public Policy and Computer Science. Deeply interested in the intersection of technology, innovation, and constitutional law, Pallavi serves as Co-Vice President of Career Affairs in the Public Policy Majors Union and is involved in Club Volleyball and Project BUILD. During her gap year, she helped research and edit the Global Handbook for Ethical Use of AI, a resource distributed to over 130 countries. Drawing on her background in music and competitive sports, Pallavi has approached collaboration with positivity and teamwork in a variety of fields ranging from healthcare technology companies to the D.C. Attorney General’s Office. Most recently, she worked with Venable LLP’s Center for Cybersecurity Policy and Law, conducting research on AI and information-sharing in Latin America and publishing articles for the firm and Compiler News. Currently at Duke, she continues information-sharing research with graduate students and hopes to pursue a law degree.
Shameema Imam is a Tennessee-born scholar and creative in her first year at Duke studying Chemistry on a pre-medical track. Being the firstborn child of Ghanaian immigrants, she is proud to consciously choose to carry their legacy as agents of change while forging her own path as an individual by bridging the gap between the sciences and the humanities to promote an equitable future in healthcare. Shameema is currently a writer for the Medical Ethics Journal, serves as the freshman-liaison for the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students, and is in the process of earning an EMT-B certification. In her free time, she enjoys exploring thrift stores, making digital art, and powerlifting.
Tyler Rogers is a first-year student from Richmond, Virginia planning to major in Public Policy and Global Health. He is interested in the intersection of healthcare and public policy in pursuit of promoting health equity and reducing health disparities. After interning for various political campaigns and participating in advocacy work in high school, Tyler is further passionate about combatting racial and social injustices experienced by various marginalized communities and advancing equitable public policy to create systemic governmental reform through legal and political avenues. At Duke, he is a part of the Advocacy and Black Caucus Committee in the Black Student Alliance, The Chronicle, National Association for Black Journalists, and the Club Swim team.
Victoria Ayodele is a second-year student and community advocate pursuing a self-designed major driven by her passion for public health and the interplay of nutrition and neurological development. As the Founder and Co-President of Duke Gymnastics, Victoria demonstrates leadership and resilience, navigating challenges while fostering team spirit. Experiences interning in Bauchi, Nigeria and participating in the Summer Health Professions Education Program at UCLA have shaped her understanding of health disparities and cultural sensitivities. As a primary author for Global Health Policy Systems Innovation and an Executive Director of the Research Scholars Program, Victoria emphasizes the importance of informed consent and ethical research practices. With a commitment to developing cross-cultural competency in addressing overlooked nutrition and toxicology issues affecting marginalized communities in healthcare, she aims to bridge communities through culturally informed research and advocacy inspired by personal experiences and a deep sense of responsibility for the well-being of others.
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