(Corvallis, OR, February 7, 2023) Oregon State University’s National and Global Scholarships Advising office  is pleased to announce that twelve students and recent graduates have been named semi-finalists for the 2023-2024 Fulbright  U.S. Student Program by the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Final selection of US Student Fulbright awards will be confirmed in spring 2023.  

Bridget Price is graduating in 2023 with an Honors bachelor of science degree in Chemical Engineering and Bioresource Research and a minor in Chemistry. In collaboration with Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands, Bridget proposes to study the utilization of microalgae in wastewater treatment systems and how to optimize wastewater purification using photogranules, aggregates of algae and other microorganisms, in order to improve nutrient recovery and harvesting. Upon return, Bridget plans to complete a PhD in chemical engineering and work as a research scientist in the jet biofuels industry where she hopes to do her part to mitigate climate change by providing accessible alternatives to fossil fuels. 

Shaurya Gaur is graduating in 2023 with an Honors bachelor of science degree in Computer Science. Shaurya proposes to earn a master of science in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Intelligent Technology at Radboud University using the Netherlands Faculty of Science Radboud Award. Shaurya hopes to research the effects of AI on women and people of color, build solutions, and advocate for policy to correct the biases that AI often holds for marginalized groups. Upon return, Shaurya plans to continue his work by earning a PhD in AI ethics and policy. He hopes to work in the nonprofit sphere to research the relationship between AI and disinformation in order to become an intermediary between scientists and the public and make AI work best for society.

Andrew Harker is graduating in 2023 with a bachelor of science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Spanish. With the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant award, Andrew hopes to teach English in high school classrooms in Spain. Andrew proposes to bring his STEM background to show students real-world applications for scientific knowledge. He also hopes to empower students to advocate for themselves inside the classroom and out to find the confidence and strength within themselves to continue their education. Upon return, Andrew hopes to complete a master’s degree in education to pursue a career in teaching high school mathematics with attention to teaching a diverse set of learners.

Jeremy Klemin is graduating in 2023 with a master of fine arts degree in Creative Writing for nonfiction works. With Fulbright, Jeremy proposes to write three long-form pieces of creative nonfiction in conjunction with the Camoes Institute for Cooperation and Language Award in Portugal. His writing will focus on disability accessibility in rural and metropolitan Portugal and span the length of the country from Lisbon to the agricultural Alentejo region. Upon return, Jeremy hopes to compile his essay collection into a published work, and continue teaching creative writing at a university level with a disabilities studies major or minor.

Anda Gherghe is graduating in 2023 with an Honors bachelor of science degree in Microbiology with a minor in Chemistry. In collaboration with Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Romania, Anda hopes to complete a research project investigating education efforts on novel tobacco products amongst medical students in Eastern Europe. Anda hopes to improve tobacco-effects education for medical students at her host university, which she hopes will lead to healthier, more informed communities as these medical students move into practice. Upon return, Anda will pursue a career as a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a focus on behavioral health promotion.

Daniel Howell graduated in 2022 with a bachelor of science degree in Biochemistry and Biophysics with a minor in Chemistry. Daniel proposes to complete a research project in collaboration with Max Planck Institute in Germany. His research will delve into the TaCo pathway - an energy-saving metabolic shortcut that allows plants and in-vitro carbon sequestration approaches to bypass inefficient steps of photosynthesis. With this research and in collaboration with the original developers of the TaCo pathway, Daniel hopes his work will lead to solutions for climate change and agricultural concerns through decreasing atmospheric carbon dioxide and finding ways to speed plant growth. Upon return, Daniel will complete a PhD in photosynthetic metabolic engineering.

Sukhjot Sal is graduating in 2023 with an Honors bachelor of arts in English and minor in Writing. Sukhjot proposes to join the Young Professional Journalist Program in collaboration with the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt in Bavaria, Germany. For her project, Sukhjot hopes to map news deserts (areas where there is little access to credible, local news sources) across Germany. She plans to then analyze reasons why these areas may lack adequate journalistic coverage and how truth-seeking and storytelling have been affected in news deserts. Upon return, Sukhjot will pursue a master’s degree in Journalism. 

Julianna Budnick will graduate in 2023 with a bachelor of science in Psychology and minor in Biology. Julianna proposes to complete a  Master of Science in Public Health with the University of Limerick Award in Ireland in order to study lethal means safety interventions - an area of suicide prevention that is in high priority for research. For her degree, Julianna hopes to conduct a case study of the Limerick Suicide Watch in order to explore the attitudes and beliefs surrounding effective, community-based lethal means intervention programs. Upon completion of this degree, Julianna plans to continue building her career in mental health promotion and work for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Jax Richards will graduate in 2023 with Honors bachelor of science degrees in Economics, Public Policy, Political Science, Speech Communication, and Sustainability Studies. Jax proposes to attend Maastricht University in the Netherlands for a one-year dual master’s program to earn degrees in Public Policy and Human Development. Jax hopes to focus his studies on child-centered disaster policy and deepen his understanding of disaster response and crisis management in regards to Risk and Vulnerability policy. With this degree, Jax plans to build a foundation for himself to support disaster relief efforts in the future, and advocate for youth on a global stage. Upon return, Jax hopes to work for an organization such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and work at the intersection of youth policy and disaster response.

Brandt Bridges graduated in 2022 with an Honors bachelor of arts in English with minors in Spanish, Writing, and Chemistry. With the Fulbright-García Robles English Teaching Assistantship in Mexico, Brandt hopes to gain experience teaching in diverse classrooms in order to prepare for a future career in educational administration. Brandt is excited to better understand the relationship between the United States and Mexico and learn to better serve the students with whom he hopes to work in community. Upon return, Brandt plans to pursue a master’s degree in English Education and begin a career in academic administration and education leadership.

Marichelle Gurski graduated in 2021 with a bachelor of arts degree in Liberal Studies with a focus in Psychology from OSU Cascades. With the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Germany, Marichelle proposes to use her five years of German language study, TEFL certification, and prior teaching experience in special education to build relationships with her students in a German classroom. She hopes to further explore German values, policies, art, and literature and expand on her abilities as a culturally competent educator. Upon return, Marichelle plans to earn a master’s degree in German and Psychology and make steps towards becoming a professor with a global perspective.

A twelfth semifinalist from OSU wished to remain anonymous. 

In 2023-2024, more than 1,800 U.S. citizens will study, conduct research, and teach abroad for the  academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected in an open, merit-based competition that considers leadership potential, academic and/or professional achievement, and record of service. As Fulbright alumni, their careers are enriched by joining a network of thousands of esteemed scholars, many of whom are leaders in their fields. Fulbright alumni include 60 Nobel Prize laureates, 88 Pulitzer Prize recipients, and 37 who have served as a head of state or government.

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to forge lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries, counter misunderstandings, and help people and nations work together toward common goals. Since its establishment in 1946, the Fulbright Program has enabled more than 390,000 dedicated and accomplished students, scholars, artists, teachers, and professionals of all backgrounds to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas, and find solutions to shared international concerns. The Fulbright Program is funded through an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the Program, which operates in more than 160 countries worldwide. For further information about the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State, please visit http://eca.state.gov/fulbright or contact the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Press Office by telephone 202-632-6452 or e-mail [email protected].

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is administered at Oregon State University through LeAnn Adam, Director, OSU National and Global Scholarships Advising. For more information about applying for Fulbright or other national and international scholarships and fellowships, please contact  LeAnn at [email protected] and visit: http://topscholars.oregonstate.edu