Imagine the next generation of computers: lightning fast, yet eco-friendly. Or picture journalists around the world working together to combat fake news. These are just a few of the incredible advancements that took place this year at UMD thanks to the Fulbright Scholar program—a longstanding tradition on campus since 1947. Get to know some of our 2023-24 scholars:
Did you know that our everyday online activities consume more energy than entire countries? Dr. Chris Vagionas, with the help of the UMD Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering and hosting professor Dr. Carlos Ocampo, made groundbreaking contributions in low energy consumption of photonic memories—making the fastest and most eco-friendly computers in the world.
Despite having no electricity and facing air attacks during the Russia-Ukraine war, Dr. Olga Gresko applied to be a visiting Fulbright scholar at UMD. She is helping Ukrainian and American journalists work together to share their best reporting practices and fight against disinformation, fake news, and propaganda.
New treatment approaches to developmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases begin at the cellular level, and that’s exactly what Dr. David Virag came to UMD to investigate. Alongside Dr. Peter Nemes in the Department of Chemistry, they explored glycoproteins, which play an essential role in our bodies—aiding new cell growth division, and more!
You’ve been told to wash your hands before eating your whole life. But did you know that food borne illness causes 420,000 premature deaths a year? When creating a better world for all, what we eat is an essential factor in global health. Ph.D. candidate Thabang Msimango’s work is simple: stop food borne illnesses where they start by investigating the microbes that get us sick.
As a distinguished Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) scholar, Dr. Kamal Khan’s research focuses on the role of the English language within educational policy in multilingual Pakistan. His work aids in the decolonization of teaching English globally and developing best practices.
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Want to see more of our scholars? Check out our Fulbright Gallery. For general program
information and application guidance, visit our "How to Fulbright at Maryland" section at the bottom of the page. Interested in applying for your own Fulbright, or want to learn more about the program? Email international-info@umd.edu.