The University of Delaware has been named one of the nation’s Top Producers of faculty and administrators selected for the Fulbright United States Scholar Program, a recognition of its global connections and support for the pursuit of international opportunities, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced on Tuesday, Feb. 25.

Seven UD faculty members were selected for Fulbright awards in the 2024-25 academic year. It is the first time UD has been named a Fulbright Top Producer of faculty and administrators, though more than 120 faculty have been named Fulbright Scholars since 1953.

“This is an exceptional achievement for UD, and it reflects our long commitment to international education and engagement,” UD President Dennis Assanis said. “UD's legacy of global impact continues to grow through the dedication of our faculty and the support of our staff. Our faculty’s transformative research is changing the lives of communities abroad while also inspiring the students in our classrooms and labs.” 

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program. Some of UD’s Fulbright Scholars conducted research in the fall semester, while others are currently engaged in their research.

Saleem Ali, the Blue and Gold Distinguished Professor of Energy and the Environment, traveled to Portugal as a Fulbright Specialist for 18 days in the fall, touring the area and presenting lectures about reconciling the conflicts of mining.

“My research is focused on trying to find solutions,” Ali said. “I’m very focused on using science and data to actually find a path forward with development, and so that’s what the people I spoke with appreciated, that I was willing to talk through those issues rather than just lamenting the past.” 

Fulbright recipient Abhyudai Singh, professor of electrical and computer engineering, will spend five months later this year collaborating with researchers at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. The researchers will use joint mathematical-experimental approaches to explore how bacterial viruses can be used to target pathogenic bacteria and how the bacterial viruses can be deployed in conjunction with antibiotic treatment. Singh will also teach a course geared towards a quantitative understanding of complex biological systems. 

Sonia Robles, associate professor of history, is conducting archival research in Mexico City's first known broadcasting station. For the academic year, Robles is investigating ways the government used a media platform to build trust and extend propaganda to its citizens in the early 20th century. She is also co-teaching a graduate course on "Media in Mexico" at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Latin America's largest university. 

“During a time when the U.S.-Mexico relations are tense, I'm grateful that I'm able to continue to extend the Fulbright mission of cultural exchange and mutual understanding as I live, teach and collaborate with colleagues in Mexico City,” Robles said.

Stephanie Raible, associate professor of business administration entrepreneurship, will be a U.S. Fulbright Scholar and visiting Professor at the Management Center Innsbruck (MCI) in Innsbruck, Austria, and she is looking forward to bringing her research back to UD. 

“My research centers on advancing women’s entrepreneurship,” Raible said. “This experience will enhance my ability to help students navigate uncertainty and foster innovation. In addition to teaching my own course, I will have the privilege of co-teaching with one of MCI’s esteemed faculty members, creating an invaluable opportunity for collaboration and growth.”

UD’s first Fulbright faculty recipients were Bernard Phillips, philosophy, and Kurt Wohl, physics, in 1953.

Faculty who are interested in the Fulbright Program should contact Dana Veron, associate provost for faculty development. UD’s Faculty Affairs offers programming, such as hosting informational panel discussions, connecting applicants with former awardees, and providing resources for preparing the application and for eventual scholarship abroad, that supports faculty through the Fulbright process, such as hosting informational panel discussions, assisting with the application process and offering the logistical support needed to conduct research abroad, Veron said.

About the Fulbright Program

The Fulbright Program is housed in the U.S. Department of State, and it is funded by the U.S. government. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the Program. 

Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research abroad. Fulbrighters exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections and work to address complex global challenges. Fulbright alumni have included 44 heads of state or government, 62 Nobel Laureates, 90 Pulitzer Prize winners, 82 MacArthur Fellows, and countless leaders and changemakers who build mutual understanding between the people of the United State and the people of other countries. 

For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit https://fulbrightprogram.org/