Eighteen OSU Students Named Semi-Finalists for 2021-2022 Fulbright US Student Program 

(Corvallis, OR, February 2, 2021) Oregon State University is pleased to announce that eighteen students and recent graduates have been named semi-finalists for the 2021-2022 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 2021.  

Emi Ampo is a graduating senior earning an Honors bachelor of science in Biohealth Sciences. Emi proposes a research project in collaboration with the University of Toronto in Canada to study the neurocognitive relationship between biomarkers and late-life depression. She aims to advance understanding of the mechanism of depression and cognitive decline, and prepare for a career as a physician-scientist.  

Braam Beresford is a graduating senior in Honors Electrical and Computer Engineering with a minor in Asian studies. He proposes to research the development of hardware acceleration systems based on new silicon technology to reduce the power demands of artificial intelligence, in collaboration with the National Taiwan University in Taiwan. 

Adrienne Brown is a graduating senior with a major in History. She is also an Ecampus (online) student. Adrienne has applied to be a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Germany. She hopes to engage with her students by sharing her love of American environmental history. 

Jacqueline Delie graduated in 2020 with a master of science in Wildlife Management. She proposes a research project in collaboration with Makerere University in Uganda to study participatory conservation governance in relation to communities neighboring Queen Elizabeth National Park. This project aims to inform the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s Strategic Plan policies by taking into account both biodiversity conservation and community livelihood development considerations. 

Maja Engler is a graduating senior earning an Honors bachelor of science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a minor in Chemistry. In collaboration with Ulm University, Germany, Maja proposes to research winter polymorphism in hibernating Djungarian hamsters, to better understand potential biomedical applications for humans. She is also interested in coaching local youth soccer teams to promote cultural integration and to build international relationships.

Sean Fagan is a graduating senior with a double major in Mathematical Economics and Sustainability. He has applied to be a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in the Czech Republic. Sean hopes to engage with his students through experiential learning surrounding topics of sustainability and environmentalism. 

Conner (Sage) Fox graduated in 2020 with an Honors bachelor of science in Fisheries and Wildlife and a minor in Spanish. He proposes a research project in collaboration with the University of Concepción in Chile to study the distribution and impacts of introduced salmon populations on native fish diversity in northern Patagonia. He will also maintain a running photographic and written chronicle of his project and experiences through a blog website. 

Gabriela (Gabi) Garza is a graduating senior earning a bachelor of science in Bioengineering. In collaboration with the University of Vienna in Austria, Gabi proposes a research project to study the role that the bacterium Klebsiella has as an early indicator of intestinal disease in premature infants. She hopes to engage in this research as she prepares for a future as a physician-scientist. 

Nicole Hobbs graduated in 2018 with a bachelor of science in Public Health and minors in Environmental Safety & Health and German. She was a 2018-2019 Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Germany. She proposes to study for a Master of Public Health at Cardiff University in the United Kingdom with a focus on reducing health disparities and improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Niki also plans to become involved with Cardiff Women’s Aid, an organization that assists women dealing with domestic violence. 

Paige Hovenga is a PhD student in Civil Engineering. In collaboration with the University of Bordeaux in France, Paige proposes a research project to quantify the applicability of beach-dune evolution models to capture observations of alongshore varying coastal evolution at a range of study locations within France.  

Souksavanh Keovorabouth is a PhD student in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Using Indigenous methodologies, Souksavanh aims to examine the urban impacts of the settler-colonial state on United States and Australian Indigenous urban communities. They will collaborate with Macquarie University in Australia. Souksavanh also plans to engage with the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence to explore intersections between U.S. and Australian Indigeneity. 

Miriam Lipton is a PhD student in History of Science and a 2019 Critical Language Scholarship recipient to Russia. In collaboration with the Vyatka State University in Russia, Miriam proposes a research project to study the history of Cold War politics of antibiotic resistance. She aims to prepare herself to be a leader in the field of international health policy by advising on the responsible use of antibiotics to better manage antibiotic resistance worldwide. 

Hannah Mankle is a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on renewable energy. She proposes a research project in collaboration with University College Cork in Ireland to explore the optimization of small-scale wave energy converter technology. She is also interested in getting involved with the mountain biking community in Cork. 

Ellen McPherson is a graduating senior with a double major in German and Environmental Science Education. She has applied to be a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Germany. Ellen hopes to engage her students by promoting environmental activism and exploring global ecosystems. 

Mahal Miles is a graduating senior in Honors Economics and a minor in Health Management and Policy. In collaboration with the Ateneo de Manila University, Mahal aims to explore the reproductive economy and caregiving archetypes in Manila, the Philippines. Through community immersion, Mahal hopes to better understand this internationally-experienced labor market issue. 

Saki Nakai is a graduating senior earning an Honors bachelor of arts in Psychology with minors in French, Music Performance, and Mathematics. Saki proposes a research project in collaboration with the University of Luxembourg, to explore identity construal in American and Japanese expatriates in the multicultural country. 

Emily Newton graduated in 2012 with an Honors bachelor of science in Marine Biology and a minor in Chemistry. In collaboration with the University of Otago, New Zealand, Emily proposes to conduct Msc research on the possibility of two species of kelp-rafting marine invertebrates establishing in warming, nearshore Antarctic ecosystems. She has also applied for the Fulbright and National Geographic Storytelling fellowship, through which she hopes to engage audiences through science and conservation education.

Omar Sheikh graduated in 2019 with a master’s of science (and a 2015 Honors bachelor of science) in Bioengineering . He proposes a research project in collaboration with the University of Alberta in Canada to study the optimization of an exon-skipping therapy that may help to have therapeutic effectiveness for treating Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy syndrome. This project would be a continuation of the research that Omar conducted during his 2019-2020 Fulbright grant to Canada before the grant was interrupted by COVID-19. 

In 2021-2022, 2,100 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, OSU National and Global Scholarships Advising Coordinator. 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