Application Information

Faculty Member Information

Faculty Supervisor Name: Ariel Glucklich

Faculty Supervisor Department: Theology and Religious Studies

Faculty Research Focus/Interest: Hinduism, Psychology of Religion, Comparative Religion

Faculty Supervisor Email: glucklia@georgetown.edu

Project Details

Project Title: The Execution of Two Gay Men in Bologna in 1593

Project Summary:

Introduction – On May 22, 1593, Ottaviano Bargellini and Allegro son of Yakov were executed by the Inquisition in Bologna, having been convicted of “the crime of sodomy.” Bargellini was the son of a city senator and a prominent Bologna family while Allegro was a Jew. Allegro converted to Christianity hoping to avoid the death penalty, to no avail. The inquisitional process was one of the longest of that era and continued even after the two were executed. Bargellini was also convicted of Judaizing, that is, attempting to convert to Judaism—which was also a capital crime. The secondary literature on this case is not very extensive, although a few studies—all in Italian publications—are available (see bibliography). None of the articles dealing with the process contain a full accounting of the record, as compiled by the Dominican auditors who witnessed the interrogations.

The Problem – The picture that emerges in scholarship is of a Jewish merchant in his thirties (Allegro) who paid cash to a very young man, virtually a boy, Ottaviano. The places where their encounters took place are described alongside the nature of their physical acts. From a historical, sociological and psychological perspective this accounting is entirely inadequate. The difficulties are as follows: Bologna during these years, part of a papal state, was extremely inhospitable to Jews and their movements were curtailed. In fact, in March of that year all the Jews were ordered to leave the city and not return. The fact that Ottaviano was interested in converting to Judaism indicates that the relationship between the two could not have been as transactional as scholarship depicts. Furthermore, as the son of a prominent and wealthy family, Ottaviano did not need to be paid for sexual relations.

I propose that a close examination of the inquisitional record in its entirety may reveal a different picture of the relationship between the two men. Assuming that the men told the truth to the inquisitors, not always a certainty, a more nuanced picture can emerge about the following: What was the nature of a genuine (loving) gay relationship in late renaissance Italy? How did Christian and Jewish individuals interact on a personal level, what was the motivation for and the process of conversion for Christians who wished to become Jewish?

Research Goal and Significance – Based on the full record of the process and additional historical data on the Bargellini family and on the sixteenth century Jewish community in Bologna (before the expulsion), this study will produce a more elaborate and nuanced discussion of gay relations, perhaps even love, in Bologna and a granular picture of Jewish-Christian interaction in the city. This will be a significant contribution to LGBTQ history of the Italian Renaissance as well as the social history of the Jews in Italy during that period. The study will produce a journal article with a possibility of expanding the research to further dimensions of this important case such as economic, legal, and even climactic: the execution took place during the worst north Italian famine in the entire sixteenth century when nearly one quarter of Bologna’s population either died or left the city. The rate of executions during that period skyrocketed. Having recently published a book on systems theory (Religion, Dissonance, and Systems Theory, Cambridge 2025), the analysis of the execution may provide material for an in-depth study of a single, immensely complex system, that led to this one tragic outcome.

Procedure – The record of the inquisitional process (interviews) is available in the Archivio di Stato di Bologna and is available for researchers. I have been corresponding with Professor Marica Tolomelli from the University of Bologna who will assist me in smoothing the process of gaining access to the records. I will travel to Bologna in June of next year to carry out the research at the archive. I intend to make copies with my iPad—something I have done in other archives (in Innsbruck, Austria and Jerusalem, Israel) and I will translate the material upon returning home. The records have not been digitized and are in folios. According to Professor Tolomelli, the university has additional archives with materials on the Bargellini family and on the Jewish community in the 16th century (https://beniculturali.unibo.it/it/ricerca/ambiti-di-ricerca/ebraismo). I intend to access those archives and to photograph materials dating from approximately 1575 to 1595. My command of Italian is advanced, and Hebrew is my native language. I can also read Latin but will need help with Spanish, which is rare in Bologna.

Laidlaw Scholar Responsibilities:

The Georgetown student will read the transcript of the inquisitional interrogation and answer the same questions that I will seek to answer (see above). The student will also read the full range of secondary literature that is available in English (unless they know Italian) as background. We shall compare notes on our interpretations of the primary material and arrive at a more complex and rich perspective on the subject matter.

The selected Scholars will read a portion of the (long) record and secondary literature prior to writing a summary with critical assessment to be delivered to and discussed at length with the PI.

Expected Scholar Deliverables:

The scholar will produce a paper of about 20 pages in which the answers to the questions raised will be answered as an essay. I shall be going over the work on a daily basis and doing the very same work. If the quality of the work is high I will submit this as a journal article for which the student will be the co-author.

Do you expect this project to run longer than six weeks?

No

Project Requirements or Skills:

Critical reading skills, superb writing skills, analysis, verbal communication, curiosity, dedication to a task. A knowledge of Italian and/or Latin is great but not essential.

Faculty Member Information

Faculty Supervisor Name: Trish Kahle

Faculty Supervisor Department: International History

Faculty Research Focus/Interest: I am an energy historian, currently working on a project on the global history of American electrification projects

Faculty Supervisor Email: pk712@georgetown.edu

Project Details

Project Title: The Heart of Electrical Empire: American Electrification from Colonial Rule to Development Aid in the Philippines

Project Summary: The Heart of Electrical Empire will examine how electric power systems shaped U.S.-Philippine relations over the course of the 20th century, from the early years of U.S. occupation through the People Power Revolution against the U.S.-backed dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. in 1986. We will consult newspaper and archival records from both Filipino and American sources to understand how electric power provision became a key site where the meaning and legitimacy of American presence in the archipelago was contested. We will also examine how, after Philippine independence, the U.S. influence continued through financial and technical assistance programs aimed at developing an extensive network of rural electric cooperatives. The history of electricity is often told from the perspective of engineers in the control room and policymakers and investors in the political and financial core of the United States, but we will focus on reading available sources against the grain to uncover the experiences and labors of Filipino electric workers, and colonial processes of racialization. We will also examine how rural electric power cooperatives deepened the afterlife of American colonialism in the Philippines as both the United States and Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. tried to turn these development programs to their own ends.

Laidlaw Scholar Responsibilities:

During the six-week project period, the scholar will assist me in conducting archival and newspaper research on electrification in the Philippines during the 20th century. For two weeks, the work will take place in Washington, D.C. at the Library of Congress, which has extensive microfilm holdings of Philippine newspapers. We will then spend one week in Ann Arbor, Michigan reviewing archival holdings of American colonial officials at the Bentley Historical Library. Finally, we will travel to Manila to complete three weeks of archival research at the National Library of the Philippines and the Rizal Library at Ateneo de Manila University. This is an ideal opportunity for a student interested in pursuing their own archival project to gain hands-on research experience.

The scholar will:

• Review and compile notes on newspaper coverage related to electrification projects
• Organize reproductions and notes into relevant project files
• Review and analyze archival documents along with me in the archive.
• Write weekly research memos for the project archive
• Work to develop their own independent research from the project materials.

Expected Scholar Deliverables:

The scholar will produce an essay of approximately 10,000 words based on the materials they have consulted in the archives that helps to advance our understanding of Philippine electrification and its relationship to U.S. colonial policy and post-independence U.S.-funded development projects.

Do you expect this project to run longer than six weeks?

Yes

Project Requirements or Skills:

• Experience with reading primary source materials
• Attention to detail and careful note-taking
• Basic knowledge of how to read cursive handwriting
• Helpful but not required: Proficiency in Filipino/Tagalog

Faculty Member Information

Faculty Supervisor Name: Nadia Brown

Faculty Supervisor Department: Professor of Government and Director of Women’s and Gender Studies

Faculty Research Focus/Interest: political behavior, intersectionality, minority politics, elected officials

Faculty Supervisor Email: nb865@georgetown.edu

Project Details

Project Title: An Intersectional Analysis of Violence against Women Political Leaders

Project Summary: This project seeks to examine how race, gender and other identities influence how women political leaders respond to and resist this moment. Specifically, we ask: how are women meeting the challenges of the moment? What does this mean for their ability to govern? How do they think about their constituencies and communities, and defending democracy? How are they dealing with threats of violence and discrimination? And what does this mean for our understanding of descriptive and substantive representation?

Laidlaw Scholar Responsibilities:

Laidlaw Scholar will be responsible for developing an annotated bibliography for the project, assisting with scheduling focus groups and interviews with elected officials, and overseeing the final documentation of the project to submit to project funders.

Expected Scholar Deliverables:

The Laidlaw scholars may use the data collected from the project to present their own academic poster

Do you expect this project to run longer than six weeks?

No

Project Requirements or Skills:

• Excellent communicator
• Self-driven
• Self-starter
• Critical thinker
• Excellent writer
• Very organized

Faculty Member Information

Faculty Supervisor Name: Sam Halabi

Faculty Supervisor Department: Health Management and Policy

Faculty Research Focus/Interest: global health law

Faculty Supervisor Email: sfh9@georgetown.edu

Project Details

Project Title: Regional Trends in Universal Healthcare Coverage Law Trends in Africa

Project Summary: The Center for Transformational Health Law at the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law is engaged in a three-year assessment and capacity support project with the World Health Organization’s regional office for Africa (AFRO). This project involves analyzing trends in the law of universal health coverage summarily catalogued and analyzed over the course of the last year.

Laidlaw Scholar Responsibilities:

The scholar would draft several 5 page memoranda

Expected Scholar Deliverables:

The Scholar would draft several 5 page memos supporting a regional synthesis report.anda supporting a regional synthesis report.

Do you expect this project to run longer than six weeks?

No

Project Requirements or Skills:

Scholars must have previous experience researching in the National Library of Medicine/PubMed. Language facility in French or Portuguese would be desirable.

Faculty Member Information

Faculty Supervisor Name: Jun Han

Faculty Supervisor Department: McCourt School of Public Policy

Faculty Research Focus/Interest: AI for Social Impact

Faculty Supervisor Email: jh2067@georgetown.edu

Project Details

Project Title: AI for Social Impact: A Practitioner’s Guide to Designing and Scaling Change

Project Summary: This project develops a dynamic, practical course designed to equip students and social sector professionals with the expertise to leverage diverse Generative AI (GenAI) tools for scalable public good.

The course development itself is the core lesson: the project will experimentally compare and benchmark a suite of advanced AI models (e.g., LLMs, image generation, data analysis platforms) across real-world social impact use cases in education, public health, and social welfare. The resulting guide will provide unique, evidence-based instructional frameworks and live case studies, demonstrating how practitioners can move beyond basic GenAI prompts to design, test, and implement ethical, high-impact AI solutions for their communities.

Laidlaw Scholar Responsibilities:

The Scholar will serve as a Junior AI Literacy and Curriculum Development Associate, working directly with the Principal Investigator to drive the core research and development phases of the project.

Key responsibilities include:

• Comparative Tool Benchmarking: Conduct systematic testing, documentation, and comparative analysis of different GenAI models (e.g., proprietary vs. open-source LLMs) on specific social impact tasks (e.g., customizing educational content, drafting public health communication, summarizing policy documents).

• Data Curation and Case Study Development: Gather and anonymize real-world data and community challenges to create rich, ethical teaching case studies and practical exercises for the course.

• Curriculum Design and Preparation: Draft comprehensive instructional materials, including a detailed syllabus, course descriptions, modular PowerPoint presentations, and annotated reading lists focused on AI ethics, bias mitigation, and responsible deployment.

• Assessment Design: Develop a rigorous and creative set of course requirements and assignments that measure both AI technical proficiency and ethical, critical thinking regarding AI’s societal implications.

Expected Scholar Deliverables:

The Scholar’s key deliverables will contribute to both the practical implementation of the course and the academic requirements of the program: 

• A Comprehensive Course Development Portfolio, including the final draft of the Syllabus, Session-by-Session PPTs, detailed Assignment Rubrics, and a Curated Resource Database of AI tools and social impact case studies. 
• An Academic Poster detailing the methodology and findings of the Comparative AI Benchmarking phase. 
• A Research Essay (approx. 5,000 words) titled: “Navigating the GenAI Instructional Landscape: An Empirical Review of Pedagogy for AI-Driven Social Impact.”

Do you expect this project to run longer than six weeks?

No

Project Requirements or Skills:

• Critical Evaluation and Ethical Reasoning
• AI Literacy and Prompt Engineering
• Instructional Design and Project Management

Faculty Member Information

Faculty Supervisor Name: Billy Jack

Faculty Supervisor Department: Economics

Faculty Research Focus/Interest: Development Economics

Faculty Supervisor Email: wgj@georgetown.edu

Project Details

Project Title: Promoting maternal and child health in Kenya

Project Summary: This project spans health, development, economics, and data science. Utilization of maternal and child health services in East Africa has recently increased, but gaps remain. Many women do not make the recommended number of ante-natal care visits, some don’t deliver at a clinic, and a substantial number of children are not fully vaccinated. In this project, and in collaboration with a county government in Kenya, we will build and deploy a digital platform to efficiently deliver conditional cash transfers over the mobile network to incentivize women to seek maternal and child health services.

But cost effectiveness is key, and funders seek to limit incentives made to women who would otherwise have sought care. In response to this imperative, we will conduct a field experiment that will allow us to generate data that we can use to optimize a machine learning algorithm to target those most likely to respond.

Laidlaw Scholar Responsibilities:

The student will meet with faculty in DC before traveling to Nairobi, Kenya, to join our research team at gui2de-East Africa. There they will work with our project managers and other graduate and undergraduate summer interns to implement the research project described above. Day to day activities will include survey design and implementation, platform development and testing, partner collaborations, field visits to western Kenya, and data analysis.

The faculty mentor will be on site for part of the 6-week period, but our research team will be there for the full duration of the assignment. As a result, the Laidlaw Scholar will be deeply engaged with the team, which will consist of relatively more experienced students and staff.

Expected Scholar Deliverables:

The student should generate a comprehensive summary of the research design, including sample selection, intervention specifications, randomization protocol, etc. The poster will express the theory of change, and the analytical approach that will be adopted to efficiently deliver incentives.

Do you expect this project to run longer than six weeks?

No

Project Requirements or Skills:

• Ability to work in challenging and unfamiliar environment; 
• Ability to work well in a team – we always say that, but it’s really important in this case;
• Any of the following: (i) platform development skills, (ii) data science skills, or (iii) project management skills.

Faculty Member Information

Faculty Supervisor Name: Yuki Kato

Faculty Supervisor Department: Sociology

Faculty Research Focus/Interest: Urban Agriculture/Food Justice/Environmental Justice

Faculty Supervisor Email: yk483@georgetown.edu

Project Details

Project Title: Urban Agriculture Policies

Project Summary: This project analyzes the 30+ interviews of the urban agriculture directors across the United States to understand the current opportunities and challenges being faced by their offices. The interviews will be conducted during Spring 2026 semester, and the analysis of the dataset will begin in Summer 2026 to identify patterns of opportunities and challenges, with a possibility of collecting additional geographical and administrative data to contextualize the interview data. The study is a collaboration with Urban Agriculture Directors’ Alliance.

Laidlaw Scholar Responsibilities:

Laidlaw Scholar will be responsible in qualitatively coding the interview data using Atlas.ti software (no previous experience with the software is needed, but familiarity with qualitative data analysis will be advantageous). If there is additional time, the Scholar may also gather additional geographical and administrative data for the cities that were included in the study, using Census or other local government database. I would like the scholar to be able to work consistently through August 15th, with a flexibility of taking a week or so off.

Expected Scholar Deliverables:

At the end of the process, the Scholar should produce an executive summary of the findings to be shared with the Urban Agriculture Director’s Alliance and the directors participated in the study as interviewees..

Do you expect this project to run longer than six weeks?

Yes

Project Requirements or Skills:

• Qualitative data analysis (or interests in learning how to code and analyze qualitative data)
• Social scientific research methodology (or interests in learning social scientific research methodology)
• Self-guided research and time management
• I would like to work with someone who can commit to at least 8 weeks of the summer – even if it is not contiguously, since I have found that 6 weeks were usually insufficient to fully train the Scholar to be able to work effectively on a research project.

Faculty Member Information

Faculty Supervisor Name: Joanna Lewis and Emanuela Del Gado

Faculty Supervisor Department: School of Foreign Service (Lewis); College of Arts and Sciences (Del Gado)

Faculty Research Focus/Interest: Low carbon technology, climate change policy, energy innovation and policy (Lewis); Computational Physics, Mechanics of Soft Materials, Rheology, Soft Matter Physics, Statistical Mechanics, Theoretical Physics (Del Gado)

Faculty Supervisor Email: jil9@georgetown.edu and ed610@georgetown.edu 

Project Details

Project Title: Technology and Policy Opportunities for Decarbonizing Cement Production in the United States

Project Summary: There is no other material that can replace concrete to meet society’s needs for housing, shelter, schools, and infrastructure in the foreseeable future. More than 20 billion tons of concrete are produced every year, more than any other material on Earth. It is estimated that by 2060 the world will need 230 billion square meters of new building construction – nearly double the present-day building stock. This demand for new construction will be met by an increase in cement production, and in turn a significant increase in the accompanying adverse environmental impacts. However, technology solutions and policy instruments to decarbonize the cement sector that already exist remain constrained in their utilization, due to country-specific barriers, even in industrialized countries. We seek a student that will join a research collaboration between a professor in SFS and a professor in Physics on the science and international policy of construction materials. The student will contribute, with new quantitative data analysis and discussion, to a study assessing the barriers to deploying readily available technical solutions globally for decarbonizing the US cement sector.

Laidlaw Scholar Responsibilities:

The student will conduct research on relevant policies in the US and around the world that impact the cement sector, and conduct data analysis associated with estimated emissions reductions and other environmental impacts. The student will participate in regular project meetings with the two supervising professors. (Note that the position may be extended into the following academic year if mutually agreed though a RA position.)

Expected Scholar Deliverables:

Student will be contributing to a study being prepared for publication. Student will also produce a short, policy-relevant research essay based on the work and an academic poster.

Do you expect this project to run longer than six weeks?

Yes

Project Requirements or Skills:

Strong academic research skills, quantitative data analysis skills, interest in both technology and policy

Faculty Member Information

Faculty Supervisor Name: Emily Mendenhall

Faculty Supervisor Department: Science, Technology and International Affairs Program

Faculty Research Focus/Interest: medical anthropology, health politics, chronic conditions

Faculty Supervisor Email: em1061@georgetown.edu

Project Details

Project Title: Investigating the Social Dynamics of Mental Illness in Kenya

Project Summary: This project will involve working on a mental and behavioral health study with Dr. Edna Bosire at the Brain and Mind Institute (BMI) at Aga Khan University in Nairobi, Kenya. Currently I have multiple studies ongoing with Dr. Edna Bosire at BMI, focusing on depression, anxiety, dementia, and Long Covid. This position will involve engaging with multiple projects ongoing with Dr. Bosire and myself and providing support through conducting research, taking notes, analyzing data, and writing with the current projects prioritized by the BMI team. You will also engage in multiple workshops and build a deeper understanding of how BMI defines research, conducts research, and engages in partnerships to understand how people live well with illness as they age and how mental and behavioral health affect families, communities, and politics. The student will need to spend 6-8 weeks in residence in Nairobi.

Laidlaw Scholar Responsibilities:

The fellow will reside in Nairobi, Kenya and work with our study team to interview experts at the Brain and Mind Institute (BMI) at Aga Khan University. The fellow will work on a team, thereby working alongside a study team focused on this project (taking notes, identifying people to interview, managing data, helping write up notes/observations/ideas, etc). They will spend time at the BMI Institute Office as well as local hospital clinics in Nairobi. They will also engage in multiple workshops hosted by BMI. The student will need a thick notebook and will receive extensive training and experience in ethnographic methods.

Expected Scholar Deliverables:

The fellow will work on our study team to conduct 20 interviews with experts and 20 with patients living with complex chronic conditions. The fellow will work on a team to conduct these interviews, manage the data, ensure they are transcribed, and work on the team who will build a codebook, code the data, and write up the manuscript. I am looking for someone who is exceedingly curious, has interest in qualitative research and ethnographic methods, has a passion for East Africa (Kiswahili speaker would be awesome!), and is a self-starter.

Do you expect this project to run longer than six weeks?

Yes

Project Requirements or Skills:

Very good writing skills, listening and observation skills, and independent spirit who can drive the project and be comfortable living in Nairobi.

Helpful but not required: Kiswahili speaker or someone who has spent time in East Africa.

Faculty Member Information

Faculty Supervisor Name: Michael Parker

Faculty Supervisor Department: Dean’s Office

Faculty Research Focus/Interest: Biosecurity policy

Faculty Supervisor Email: mp1660@georgetown.edu

Project Details

Project Title: Anatomy of a Moratorium

Project Summary: As technologies emerge, there are often discussions among the scientific community evaluating their risks. For particularly disruptive technologies, the idea of a moratorium – a temporary suspension of an activity, obligation, or law, often for a specific period – is often a kneejerk suggestion. Throughout history, a variety of moratoria have been implemented for technologies, and many more have been suggested at some point. To date, no analysis comparing moratoria of the past, nor their outcomes, has been done. With particular focus on biological science moratoria, this project will endeavor to document and analyze the situational factors that make a technology a candidate for a moratorium. Then, we will assess the ramifications and ultimate harms and benefits of moratoria. This will allow us to make an “anatomy” of what characteristics of a technology may make it suited to a moratorium, what characteristics do not, and a standardized process for devising and implementing moratoria. In particular, we will focus on approaches that can be used to develop internationally recognized moratoria.

Laidlaw Scholar Responsibilities:

Working mostly independently (100% virtual), but with weekly check-ins (via Zoom) to discuss progress and to define new work.

Interview scientists who have been involved in conceptualizing, drafting, and implementing moratoria

Drafting of outlines and manuscripts to describe findings.

Expected Scholar Deliverables:

A shared Google Drive folder with organized provision of all collected and produced work from the summer A collection and detailed bibliography of relevant documents on the topic Interview transcripts from discussions with scientists/policymakers Honing and completing our current rough draft of the work to prepare for publication

Do you expect this project to run longer than six weeks?

Yes

Project Requirements or Skills:

• Detail oriented and organized
• Ability to take feedback and directions and to not only follow through, but to innovate beyond the instructions; ability to work mostly independently
• Genuinely interested in the topic of biosecurity policy and emergent technologies

Faculty Member Information

Faculty Supervisor Name: Monica Sanders

Faculty Supervisor Department: Law Center, SCS-EDM Program

Faculty Research Focus/Interest: environmental and climate justice (law, policy), technology policy

Faculty Supervisor Email: ms4532@georgetown.edu

Project Details

Project Title: Mapping AI and Climate Resilience: Legal and Policy Perspectives

Project Summary: This project examines how artificial intelligence (AI) is being integrated into disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, and sustainability governance. As part of the Anthem Series on Law, AI, and Resilience, the Scholar will analyze how legal frameworks, governance models, and ethical considerations shape the use of AI tools in climate risk management. The project will combine literature review, case study analysis, and applied digital mapping. Scholars will engage with academic sources and practitioner reports, gaining skills in interdisciplinary research and data visualization. By the end of the project, the Scholar will produce both a research essay and a StoryMap, creating an accessible way to share findings with a broader public. This project is designed to provide training in research, writing, and applied digital tools, while contributing to a timely global conversation on technology and resilience.

Laidlaw Scholar Responsibilities:

The Scholar will work closely with their mentor to explore the intersections of AI, law, and climate resilience. Day-to-day responsibilities will include:

•  Conducting a structured literature review on AI applications in disaster and climate governance.
• Identifying and analyzing case studies across different regions.
• Drafting research memos and supporting comparative analysis of legal frameworks.
• Designing a StoryMap that presents research findings in a visually engaging and accessible way, integrating maps, images, and case study summaries.
• Meeting regularly with their mentor for feedback, guidance on academic writing, and training in digital storytelling methods. 

This project will provide hands-on experience in interdisciplinary research and the opportunity to co-create outputs that bridge academic and public audiences.

Expected Scholar Deliverables:

The Scholar will produce a research essay (8–10 pages) summarizing their findings and an interactive StoryMap in lieu of a traditional academic poster. The StoryMap will visually display case studies and key insights on how AI is being used in climate resilience and governance. Together, these outputs will contribute to the Anthem Series and provide transferable skills in research, writing, and digital communication.

Do you expect this project to run longer than six weeks?

No

Project Requirements or Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Interest in technology, law, or climate-related issues.
• Willingness to learn digital storytelling tools such as ArcGIS StoryMaps.
• An openness to interdisciplinary work and enthusiasm for combining research with creative digital presentation.

Faculty Member Information

Faculty Supervisor Name: Lisa Singh

Faculty Supervisor Department: Computer Science and Public Policy

Faculty Research Focus/Interest: data mining, data science, tech policy

Faculty Supervisor Email: lisa.singh@georgetown.edu

Project Details

Project Title: Empowering the Public to Identify Fake, Altered & False Media

Project Summary: Social media platforms and the web provide the public an avenue to share information rapidly and easily. While this benefits people in many ways (e.g. real-time breaking news and natural disaster alerts), the information shared is not always factual or authentic. When the information is poor-quality, it pollutes online conversation and can negatively affect people. The goal of this project is to understand the types of poor quality information shared on different social media platforms and provide insight into the landscape of fake and false information.

Laidlaw Scholar Responsibilities:

The Laidlaw Scholar will help label content that is poor quality through a tool we are designing and piloting, and then trace some of that content across different public social media sites to see the level of traction.

Expected Scholar Deliverables:

The student will help write a report about what types of fake or false media are spreading and what types are not.

Do you expect this project to run longer than six weeks?

No

Project Requirements or Skills:

Curiosity, basic analytic skills, and an interest in understanding false and fake information.

Faculty Member Information

Faculty Supervisor Name: Rajesh Veeraraghavan

Faculty Supervisor Department: School of Foreign Service, (STIA)

Faculty Research Focus/Interest: Digital governance, AI in public services, and sociotechnical analysis of state–citizen interactions.

Faculty Supervisor Email: rv408@georgetown.edu

Project Details

Project Title: Mapping Regenerative BioEconomy Opportunity Areas

Project Summary: Join us in the “living lab” in mapping the future of sustainable innovation. This project explores frontier opportunities in the regenerative bioeconomy— a set of emerging sectors that reimagine how we interact with the environment to produce food, textiles, and materials. You’ll investigate promising technologies, business models, and innovation ecosystems that could accelerate the transition to a regenerative economy. Through desk research, stakeholder interviews with venture capitalists, technology transfer offices, development funders, and systems change actors, you’ll identify high-potential opportunities and the actors driving them forward. This research will inform strategic decision-making about where to direct resources and attention in building a more sustainable economic future. You’ll gain exposure to cutting-edge sustainability innovations, develop research and analytical skills, and build a network across the innovation ecosystem. We are looking for ambitious and organized students with good communication skills and the ability to execute complex projects. A background and interest in a specific frontier area– e.g. agroforestry, biology, nutrition, ecology, nature finance & insurance, bioengineering, computer science & machine learning, health and environment, etc.– is strongly preferred. At the same time, the student should be a nimble thinker with the ability to go deep into technical topics while maintaining a strategic overview. This is a new initiative at Georgetown that has Prof. Rajesh Veeraraghavan, Dr. Parijat Chakrabarty, Prof. Vanessa Opalo, and three other Georgetown students.

Laidlaw Scholar Responsibilities:

Your typical week will involve a mix of research activities. You’ll conduct systematic desk research, reviewing academic literature, industry reports, patent databases, and startup ecosystems to identify emerging technologies and business models. You’ll prepare for and conduct interviews with innovation actors—drafting interview guides, scheduling calls, and synthesizing insights. Time will be spent on data organization and analysis, using tools like spreadsheets and visualization software to map the ecosystem and track opportunities. You’ll participate in regular team meetings to discuss findings and refine research directions. You’ll also dedicate time to writing, documenting your research process, and developing summaries of key findings. The work requires self-direction and curiosity, with guidance and mentorship provided throughout.

Expected Scholar Deliverables:

The Scholar will produce a landscape report documenting frontier opportunities in the regenerative bioeconomy, including: an ecosystem map identifying key actors (companies, investors, research institutions, support organizations); a database of promising technologies and business models with assessment criteria; synthesis of insights from stakeholder interviews; and strategic recommendations about high-potential opportunity areas. Supporting materials will include interview summaries, data visualizations, and a methodology document describing the research approach.

Do you expect this project to run longer than six weeks?

Yes

Project Requirements or Skills:

We are looking for ambitious and organized students with good communication skills and the ability to execute complex projects. A background and interest in a specific frontier area– e.g. agroforestry, biology, nutrition, ecology, nature finance & insurance, bioengineering, computer science & machine learning, health and environment, etc.– is strongly preferred.

At the same time, the student should be a nimble thinker with the ability to go deep into technical topics while maintaining a strategic overview.

Faculty Member Information

Faculty Supervisor Name: Haiyan He

Faculty Supervisor Department: Biology

Faculty Research Focus/Interest: Neuroscience

Faculty Supervisor Email: hh772@georgetown.edu

Project Details

Project Title: Devising and implementation of automated analysis program for evaluation of visuomotor behavior in tadpoles

Project Summary: Xenopus laevis has long served as an important vertebrate model for developmental studies and is a cornerstone to our current understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the formation and refinement of neural circuits. In recent years, considerable efforts have been made to leverage the great accessibility and amenability of the tadpoles to model neurodevelopmental disorders in humans for higher-throughput investigations of genetic and environmental risk factors. Behavioral paradigms are indispensable tools to assess functional output of neural circuits in whole animals. This project seeks to draw from recently published automated analysis programs using machine learning algorithms to facilitate unbiased, high-throughput analysis of the visuomotor behavior in Xenopus laevis tadpoles. Successful application of these programs is expected to significantly reduce analysis time, enable high-throughput processing of larger datasets, and increase the reliability and reproducibility of behavioral quantification for future experiments.

Laidlaw Scholar Responsibilities:

The main responsibility for the Laidlaw Scholar will be to adapting a recently published automated behavioral analysis program to behavioral data set collected in the lab. The Scholar may also need to work with colleagues to collect new data from live animals.

Expected Scholar Deliverables:

An academic poster to present the implementation, application of the program and the scientific findings.

Do you expect this project to run longer than six weeks?

No

Project Requirements or Skills:

The applicant should have some basic knowledge/experience of computer programming (preferably with matlab and/or python).

Faculty Member Information

Faculty Supervisor Name: Marcus King

Faculty Supervisor Department: Science and Technology in International Affairs (STIA)

Faculty Research Focus/Interest: Global Environmental Politics and Security. Climate change impacts and water scarcities and their socioeconomic impacts on vulnerable societies. Served as a climate change and negotiator for the U.S. in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other government positions in energy and environmental policy.

Faculty Supervisor Email: mdk7@georgetown.edu

Project Details

Project Title: AI Data Centers and Water Consumption in Africa and The Middle East

Project Summary: Data center developers are increasingly tapping into freshwater resources to quench the thirst of data centers, which is putting nearby communities at risk across the globe.

Large data centers can consume up to 5 million gallons per day, equivalent to the water use of a town populated by 10,000 to 50,000 people for cooling and other purposes. With larger and new AI-focused data centers, water consumption is increasing alongside energy usage and carbon emissions. This project will identify case studies of areas in select water stressed countries where data centers are located and proposed. Next it will assess the “water footprint” as well potential impacts of water usage on local ecosystems and human well-being. The study will examine various technologies to determine the options will be most water efficient and create the least overall detrimental impacts.

Laidlaw Scholar Responsibilities:

The day to day work will be data collection and analysis. After completing a literature review to determine the relevance of particular geographic areas for analysis, the student will collect relevant environmental and socioeconomic data available online and through structured interviews with subject matter experts located in the U.S. including the DC area and abroad through surveys. After the data collection phase, the student will develop and present the findings into formats agreed upon by the Faculty member.

Expected Scholar Deliverables:

The student will complete a research essay and a poster with visual displays of the data. The faculty member will also explore avenues for publication of a high-quality study. This work will also feed into a proposal for a conference on this subject under discussion with scholars and Georgetown and other institutions.

Do you expect this project to run longer than six weeks?

No

Project Requirements or Skills:

Interpersonal communications skills for interviews, experience with writing research papers, willingness and ability to learn some database and citation software applications such as refworks, zotero etc.

Interest or experience in the Middle East and/or Africa is a plus but not necessary

Faculty Member Information

Faculty Supervisor Name: Rodrigo Maillard

Faculty Supervisor Department: Chemistry

Faculty Research Focus/Interest: Biochemistry and Biophysics, Computational Biology

Faculty Supervisor Email: ram279@georgetown.edu

Project Details

Project Title: Biophysical Principles in Transcription Regulation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Project Summary: Our lab studies how proteins in *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*—the bacterium that causes tuberculosis—control gene expression through physical and structural changes. We are especially interested in how signaling molecules and mechanical forces alter protein shape and stability, influencing how genes are turned on or off. Using advanced biophysical tools such as optical tweezers, we can measure the tiny forces and motions that occur when a single protein folds, unfolds, or binds to DNA.

We combine these experiments with computer simulations to visualize how changes at one site in a protein affect its overall motion and activity. By comparing the *M. tuberculosis* regulatory protein CRP with its well-studied counterpart in *E. coli*, we uncover how evolution has adjusted the physical properties that control gene regulation. This research connects molecular structure to biological function and helps explain how pathogens adapt to stress and survive under challenging conditions.

Laidlaw Scholar Responsibilities:

As a Laidlaw Scholar, the student will participate in experimental work aimed at understanding how proteins from *Mycobacterium tuberculosis* regulate gene expression. Day-to-day responsibilities will include preparing buffers, purifying proteins, and assisting with optical tweezers experiments to measure protein unfolding and binding forces. The scholar will learn how to handle delicate biophysical instruments, collect quantitative data, and ensure careful experimental documentation. These experiments will help reveal how structural changes in proteins influence their ability to control gene activity.

In addition to hands-on experiments, the student will engage in quantitative data analysis. This will involve using nonlinear least-squares fitting methods, statistical error analysis, and curve interpretation to extract thermodynamic parameters from experimental data. They will also learn how to assess data reproducibility and identify trends across biological replicates. Through this combination of laboratory and analytical work, the Laidlaw Scholar will gain a strong foundation in quantitative biochemistry and molecular biophysics.

Expected Scholar Deliverables:

By the end of the project, the Laidlaw Scholar will present a research poster summarizing their experimental and analytical findings on the biophysical mechanisms of gene regulation in *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*. The poster will include quantitative results from optical tweezers experiments and statistical data analyses. The scholar will also contribute to the preparation of a manuscript for publication, helping to organize figures, interpret data, and refine the scientific narrative that connects molecular measurements to biological function.

Do you expect this project to run longer than six weeks?

Yes

Project Requirements or Skills:

• Persistence and Problem-Solving: Experiments involving single molecules and protein purification require patience and troubleshooting. Scholars must be able to adapt protocols, think critically about unexpected outcomes, and approach challenges with curiosity and resilience.
• Attention to Detail: Scholars must be meticulous in preparing samples, maintaining experimental conditions, and recording data accurately, as small errors can affect biophysical measurements and quantitative analyses.
• Quantitative and Analytical Thinking: The project involves nonlinear curve fitting and statistical error analysis, so scholars should be comfortable with data interpretation, basic mathematical modeling, and identifying patterns or inconsistencies in experimental results.

Faculty Member Information

Faculty Supervisor Name: Sreejith Nair

Faculty Supervisor Department: Oncology

Faculty Research Focus/Interest: Molecular and Cellular Biology of Cancer

Faculty Supervisor Email: sn778@georgetown.edu

Project Details

Project Title: Molecular Regulation of Transcription and Cancer Protein-RNA Complexes

Project Summary: Gene regulation is a fundamental biological process critical for normal cellular function. Defects in this process are a common feature of many diseases, including cancer. One major project in our lab aims to identify the role of cellular RNAs and disordered proteins in gene regulation. Students will engage in cutting-edge research to reveal novel mechanisms governing gene expression and cancer. The training involves a comprehensive immersion in contemporary biomedical research tools. Participants will formulate a hypothesis and test it by applying these skills to address pertinent research queries. It includes experiments involving mammalian cell culture, gene reporter assays, quantitative real-time PCR, confocal microscopy, and DNA cloning. The overarching goal is to equip students with proficiency across all facets of biomedical research, instilling the passion and knowledge to embark on an exciting career in science. We hope to inspire the next generation of scientists and foster a deep commitment to advancing our understanding of the biology of health and disease.

Laidlaw Scholar Responsibilities:

The Laidlaw scholar will participate in all aspects of biomedical research. This includes formulating research hypotheses, identifying specific questions to test the hypothesis, designing the experiments, performing the experiments, recording and analyzing the data, interpreting the results, and presenting/publishing the results. Collaborative synergy will be fostered as students work alongside other dedicated scientists within the lab. Students will engage in dynamic discussions, participate in lab meetings, give research talks, provide feedback on other people’s work, and contribute to scholarly publications. Beyond the research arena, scholars will actively contribute to the day-to-day operations of the lab, participating in various lab responsibilities. To further enhance critical thinking and analytical skills, scholars will be tasked with reading and presenting research articles as part of a journal club. This exercise aims to cultivate the critique skills necessary for evaluating and appreciating the nuances within a body of scientific work.

Expected Scholar Deliverables:

The scholar will assume responsibility for executing all planned experiments throughout the project lifecycle, meticulously analyzing the results obtained, and presenting the data during lab meetings. Additionally, the scholar will be tasked with crafting a comprehensive project report formatted as a scientific manuscript. This document should encapsulate the entirety of the research endeavor, providing a detailed account of methodologies, results, and conclusions, and the future directions for the project.

Do you expect this project to run longer than six weeks?

Yes

Project Requirements or Skills:

Genuine interest in biomedical research involving molecular and cell biology