BIO:

Alonso Cisneros completed a Fulbright Study/Research award through the Binational Business Program in Mexico. During his program, he joined the investment team at Angel Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm investing across Latin America and completed MBA coursework at the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM). Working at the intersection of entrepreneurship, international business, and social impact, Alonso gained firsthand experience evaluating startups and supporting investment decisions across emerging markets. His Fulbright in Mexico inspired his current work supporting entrepreneurs in Chicago and continues to influence his long-term vision of a career in innovative investment.
 

Ask me about: 

• Applying through your undergraduate institution
• Building international relationships  
• Supporting entrepreneurship and international business
• Ways that Fulbright can help you engage with the U.S. startup and venture capital ecosystem

alonso.cisneros@fulbrightmail.org

BIO:

Angel Smith conducted independent Fulbright research at the American University Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, analyzing the ways that oil producing Gulf states use statecraft to sustain long-term energy demands and economic priorities. Her Fulbright strengthened her ability to assess geopolitical risk and evaluate energy strategies at the national level. This perspective informs her work in the United States, where she analyzes energy security issues within the oil and gas sector. Angel holds a master’s degree in global affairs from Rice University and dual bachelor of arts degrees in political science and international studies from Colorado State University. She studied Arabic while living abroad as a Gilman Scholar, Critical Language Scholarship Awardee, and Boren Fellow. 

Ask me about: 

• Applying through your master’s institution
• Collaborating with regional experts, academic institutions, and policy practitioners
• Developing research projects and creating analytical frameworks  
• Fostering professional exchange
• Developing and using language skills to support career objectives 

angel.smith@fulbrightmail.org

BIO:

Dr. Audie Cherry is an Assistant Professor of Instruction at Texas State University, where he teaches courses in agricultural engineering, policy, and plant and soil sciences. Through an Independent Study/Research Award in the Philippines, he conducted research on agricultural education and food security while teaching at Cebu Technological University. He holds a PhD in agriculture from Clemson University, a master’s in agricultural leadership, education, and communications from Texas A&M University, and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science and technology with an emphasis in public service and leadership from Murray State University. Audie has conducted agricultural development work and research in India, Haiti, and the Philippines. As an independent consultant, he supports education institutions, governments, and agricultural organizations to enhance research and program performance.

Ask me about: 

• Applying through your doctoral program institution
• Developing an independent research project
• Teaching abroad as part of a Fulbright
• Prioritizing faith and family, including my wife and two children
• Combining teaching with business skills and consulting projects 

audie.cherry@fulbrightmail.org

BIO:

Brandon Kwon conducted independent medical research in South Korea in collaboration with Seoul National University and the National Cancer Center. His work, supported through the U.S.-Korea Presidential STEM Initiative, examines the relationship between culturally rooted dietary patterns and gastrointestinal cancer risk. Working in a multidisciplinary lab allowed Brandon to contribute to innovative projects, including the development of a smartwatch feature that tracks antioxidant levels.  He learned that cultural nuances and language use can influence the ways individuals experience and communicate about health, a perspective he brings to work at a U.S. healthcare startup. He is currently working on applying epidemiological research to improve American healthcare models. 

Ask me about: 

• Applying through your undergraduate institution
• Creating an independent research project
• Translating molecular and cellular biology studies to career opportunities  
• Conducting research and fieldwork at the intersection of clinical medicine and systems-level healthcare 

brandon.kwon@fulbrightmail.org

BIO:

Bryan Martino completed his master’s degree at the University of Stuttgart in Baden-Württemberg, Germany through a Fulbright Study/Research Award, using robotics, biomaterials, and computational design to integrate biological systems into architecture. The master’s program enabled him to conduct research in Germany's manufacturing sector and build an interdisciplinary perspective on innovative building systems. Outside the classroom, he shared his research with local high school students through a volunteer program. Presenting alongside German engineers, architects, and computer scientists strengthened his articulation of technical ideas across disciplines and cultures. Bryan returned to the United States with deeper expertise in 3D printing and architectural problem-solving and has begun a PhD in architecture at Yale University. 
 

Ask me about: 

• Applying through your undergraduate institution
• Applying to master’s programs and taking graduate courses abroad
• Volunteering with local high school students  
• Building connections with the manufacturing community 

bryan.martino@fulbrightmail.org

BIO:

Dustin Sanchez, a U.S. Army veteran, conducted independent doctoral research on the impact of conflict on the wine industry in Kosovo at the University of Prishtina. He developed partnerships with the Forum for Civic Initiatives, the Department of Vineyards and Winemaking, and local coffee shops.  His Fulbright enabled him to focus on theoretical research while building technical geographic expertise and gaining teaching experience. It also strengthened his leadership skills by creating avenues to apply his experience as a medically retired U.S. Army Corporal and combat veteran. Returning to Texas State University, Dustin supports Fulbright applicants and continues to collaborate with his international connections for grant writing and academic publishing.   
 
Ask me about: 

• Applying to and participating in Fulbright as a U.S. Army veteran
• Conducting doctoral research through Fulbright
• Designing an independent research project
• Sharpening leadership and teaching skills
• Beginning your academic career at a community college 

dustin.sanchez@fulbrightmail.org

BIO:

Katherine Eltz conducted independent doctoral research using health technology to safeguard scuba divers and astronauts. While working with the multiphase dynamics group at Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, Greece, she established an in vitro experimental protocol to optimize ultrasonic detection of microbubbles in scuba divers and astronauts, supporting decompression sickness research. In the lab, Katherine led her own research, operated complex equipment, and engaged directly with the scientific process. The Fulbright experience inspired her current work and sense of purpose in her journey from student to professional researcher.  She returned to her lab at the University of North Carolina with heightened aspirations for global collaboration and impact as she completes her doctoral studies and embarks on a career in biomedical engineering.  
 
Ask me about: 

• Applying to Fulbright as a doctoral candidate
• Conducting doctoral research abroad
• Partnering with a lab at your Fulbright institution to learn and apply advanced technology skills
• Ways that Fulbright can help prepare for a STEM career 

katherine.eltz@fulbrightmail.org

BIO:

Kylie Yui Dan conducted independent research with a Fulbright Research Fellowship at Hiroshima University, contributing to a deeper understanding of galaxy evolution. As a Fulbrighter, Kylie analyzed data from the Keck Cosmic Web Imager to investigate ways that an active supermassive black hole drives large-scale outflows of ionized gas in the Seyfert Galaxy “NGC 1275,” tutored university students in English, and volunteered at the Hiroshima University Observatory to inspire the local community about the night sky. Afterwards, Kylie began a PhD degree at the University of Maryland, conducting doctoral research using data from the James Webb Space Telescope, informed by technical expertise built in Japan. Kylie aspires to return to Japan for a postdoctoral or faculty position to further strengthen scientific partnerships between U.S. and Japanese astronomy communities.  
 
Ask me about: 

• Engaging in community outreach and volunteer opportunities
• Developing an independent research project
• Expanding your professional network and international collaborations
• Ways that Fulbright can accelerate progress toward a dissertation 

 kylie.dan@fulbrightmail.org

BIO:

Madeline Gunderson, a professional filmmaker and journalist, attended a documentary filmmaking class at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and directed a feature length documentary film about monarch butterfly conservation in Mexico State during her Fulbright Arts award. She engaged with community members of a rural town who manage a small monarch butterfly sanctuary and continued her relationship with the documentary participants while editing and preparing to publish the finished film. The Fulbright award provided Madeline with the time and space to develop an independent documentary film and the opportunity to work closely with local stakeholders to tell their stories about contributing to the cross-border preservation of an important species. As an independent professional in the arts, Madeline’s Fulbright also enabled her to share her artistic vision and expertise with students and professional contacts. 
 
Ask me about: 

• Applying as an independent artist and professional  
• Sharing artistic expertise and vision
• Developing an academic affiliation coming from outside of academia
• Building professional contacts
• Coming from a background in a rural community in the Pacific Northwest 

madeline.gunderson@fulbrightmail.org

BIO:

Madison Stephens served as a Fulbright ETA in Cuenca, Spain, where she taught community members of all ages at American Space Quixote, a partnership between the U.S. Embassy in Madrid and FabLab Cuenca. She taught English conversation classes, planned cultural activities, and supported STEM workshops to connect American and Spanish communities. She also visited local schools to speak about U.S. culture and opportunities to study in the United States. Outside of the classroom, she collaborated with the local language school to establish a language exchange program to build additional connections. Madison is currently a law student at University of Oklahoma, and she teaches English as a second language as a volunteer. Her Fulbright experience built valuable expertise in intercultural communication and community program development.  
 
Ask me about: 

• Applying through your undergraduate institution
• Developing partnerships with local nonprofits and schools
• Volunteering in the community
• Using language skills and community program development to advance your career
• Applying a degree in biology to other professional activities 
  
  

BIO:

Mariam Sayed is a biotechnology researcher who works at the intersection of global health equity and AI-driven medicine. As the first U.S. Fulbright English Teaching Assistant at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy in Marrakech, Morocco, she served as a cultural ambassador, learning Darija and medical French at Dar Loughat, performing in musical exchanges, and developing partnerships with organizations like Caravane Médicale and the High Atlas Foundation. This engagement led her to re-design the Medical English curriculum around culturally inclusive care that reflect the patients her medical students will treat. This learning informed her work as a Clinical Research Fellow at the NIH, where she proposed new outpatient screenings to improve early detection in patient populations with elevated risk of diabetes. At Zoyel Health, she works with an international team of engineers and physicians to deploy AI-driven digital health solutions in rural communities worldwide, most recently presenting the "World's First Edge AI Clinic" at the World Health Expo in Dubai. As she begins medical school, Mariam’s goal is to bridge cultures and languages in her research and clinical practice to deliver excellent patient care.   

 Ask me about:

• Developing partnerships with community organizations
• Teaching language for specific professional uses 
• Applying Fulbright experience to a career in medical science 
  
  

mariam.sayed@fulbrightmail.org

BIO:

Sasha Benke taught English and economics to students at the Fergana Polytechnic Institute as a Fulbright ETA to Uzbekistan, sparking conversations about global opportunity, critical thinking, and economic prosperity. Through sports, cultural programming, and partnerships with local educators and organizations, she helped build links between the United States and Central Asia. Sasha’s Fulbright helped launch her career at the intersection of policy, business, and global education. She now serves as a Development Associate at the Eurasia Group’s Institute for Global Affairs, where she drives fundraising, board engagement, and the design of programs that explore AI, cities, education, and geopolitics.   

Ask me about: 

• Building connections through sports 

• Ways that Fulbright can open doors for career opportunities 

• Creating partnerships with local organizations 

• Applying through your undergraduate institution 

BIO:

Vanessa Lent served as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Costa Rica, supporting more than twenty English professors at the Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje and the Universidad Técnica Nacional in teaching languages through guest lectures, conversation-based instruction, and cultural exchange. Immersion in these communities allowed her to engage with Costa Rican educators and students while exploring ways that language education can build connections. Vanessa is currently a Spanish teacher at an independent day school, where she integrates global perspectives into her U.S. classroom, preparing her students for future careers. She also connects American classrooms with global travelers as an editor for Reach the World virtual exchanges, teaches civics, and adapts educational materials for students with low vision.  
 

Ask me about: 

• Applying as a master’s degree student 
• Classroom management strategies 
• The ways Fulbright prepares you for a career in language education 
• Creating photojournalism and storytelling projects abroad 
• Working with nonprofits and building community partnerships 

 vanessa.lent@fulbrightmail.org

BIO:

Veronica Will, a current MD/PhD student at UC-San Diego, earned her master’s degree through a Fulbright Study/Research award at Taipei Medical University’s Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain, and Consciousness. She completed her thesis work on computational methods to model circadian rhythms in mouse models. Through Fulbright’s Critical Language Enhancement Award, she learned medical Chinese with a focus on integrating traditional Chinese medicine practices with western medicine in modern Taiwan. Through a culture class at another university, Veronica studied calligraphy and learned to play a traditional musical instrument. In addition to neuroscience and research skills, she also gained a greater understanding of Taiwan’s national healthcare system and the ways that different medical preferences impact how doctors deliver healthcare to patients, which will inform her future career in physician science in the United States.  
 
Ask me about: 

• Applying to and enrolling in a master’s program abroad 
• Preparing for an MD/PhD program while on Fulbright 
• Understanding medical systems in other countries 
• Studying language through Fulbright’s Critical Language Enhancement Award

veronica.will@fulbrightmail.org

BIO:

William Frangia, an officer in the U.S. Army, earned a master’s degree in strategic studies at the Australian National University through a Fulbright Study/Research Award, while conducting research on trends in youth violent extremism in Australia and their implications for security policy. A recipient of the Fulbright Anne Wexler Scholarship in Public Policy, William also served as visiting fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, where he authored numerous articles on counterterrorism in Southeast Asia and participated in policy roundtable discussions. He engaged with partners across the Australian government, the U.S. Embassy in Canberra, and regional security experts. His Fulbright cohort included military officers from across Southeast Asia and Australia, providing cultural and professional immersion with key U.S. partners that strengthened his understanding of the alliance dynamics and the complex security perspectives that are shaping the Indo-Pacific. William’s Fulbright experience continues to inform his work and career trajectory as a U.S. Army officer.  
 
Ask me about: 

• Applying to Fulbright as an officer in the U.S. Army 
• Applying to a master’s degree program abroad 
• Ways that Fulbright sharpens your leadership skills and expands your strategic expertise 
• Ways that a Fulbright will benefit your military career as an Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard member 
  
  

william.frangia@fulbrightmail.org