Purdue again recognized as a top producer of Fulbright students and scholars

Purdue University stands among the top of the nation’s major research universities for its number of students and faculty selected this year for Fulbright student and scholar programs, marking a fourth consecutive year of recognition as a “top-producing institution” by the U.S. Department of State.

With 14 students and seven faculty offered prestigious Fulbright grants each for the 2024-25 academic year, Purdue is one of just 13 doctoral institutions nationwide to earn the distinction of being a top producer of both students and faculty.

“Our consistency in winning competitive Fulbright awards reflects the exemplary scholarly achievements of our students and faculty,” Purdue Provost Patrick Wolfe said. “It’s a prime example of Purdue’s academic excellence at scale.”

Purdue faculty members selected as 2024-25 Fulbright scholars are:

• Andrew DeWoody, professor in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, College of Agriculture
• Genell Ebbini, assistant professor in the Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance, College of Liberal Arts
• Daniel Flaherty, the Chip and Jane Rutledge Early Career Associate Professor in the Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy
• Bryan Hubbard, professor in the School of Construction Management Technology, Purdue Polytechnic Institute
• Li Qiao, professor of aeronautics and astronautics engineering in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, College of Engineering
• Winston Sealy, assistant professor of mechanical engineering technology in the School of Engineering Technology, Purdue Polytechnic Institute
• Zhiwei Zhu, clinical assistant professor of management in the Quantitative Methods area, Mitch Daniels School of Business

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program Grantees across 12 countries are:

• Aditi Anand, West Lafayette; India: Nehru Open Study/Research Award
• Olivia Anderson, Columbia, Missouri; English teaching assistant in North Macedonia
• Sara Cuevas-Quiñones, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Chile Science Initiative Award
• Paige Fulkerson, Carmel, Indiana; English teaching assistant in Thailand
• Paige Liebel, St. Petersburg, Florida; Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation Award
• Julia McAulay, Dallas; Honduras: Open Study/Research
• Victoria Patellos, Zionsville, Indiana; English teaching assistant in Spain
• Sara Poulin, Michigan City, Indiana; English teaching assistant in Greece
• Emily Primm, Pearland, Texas; English teaching assistant in Mexico
• Erin Rockhill, Valparaiso, Indiana; English teaching assistant in Germany
• Andrea Untama, Westfield, Indiana; English teaching assistant in Spain
• Isaac Wheeler, Provo, Utah; PhD student; Italy: Open Study/Research
• Arden Woodall, Noblesville, Indiana; English teaching assistant in Colombia

“Being recognized as a ‘top-producing institution’ of Fulbright U.S. Students and Scholars once again is a testament to Purdue’s commitment to scholarly excellence,” said Christopher Lukasik, associate professor of English and Provost’s Fellow for Faculty Fulbright Awards.

Purdue interior design professor Ebbini said her Fulbright experience has been transformative personally and professionally. Her project, “Optimizing Health and Well-Being in Oman’s Sustainable Built Environment,” concentrates on creating urban spaces that honor cultural heritage while embracing sustainable innovation.

“I have gained invaluable insights into the Omani culture and its approach to sustainable development. And living and working in Oman has deepened my understanding of how cultural identity and modern urban development can coexist, ensuring that rapid growth does not come at the expense of cultural continuity,” she said.

Wheeler, a doctoral candidate in chemical engineering, is at the Polytechnic of Turin in Italy, using the institution’s LyoLab for researching pharmaceutical lyophilization, also known as freeze-drying. He hopes to gain familiarity with another model for freeze-drying that will enhance his dissertation research at Purdue.

“Ever since I served a two-year mission for my church in Italy, I have been enchanted by Italian language and culture. With the Fulbright program, I could turn that fascination into real scientific collaboration and professional connection,” Wheeler said. “Bringing my wife and children took some extra paperwork, but has extended the cultural exchange into dimensions that will make our family more understanding and better at cross-cultural communication.”

Fulbright alumni work to make a positive impact on their communities, sectors, and the world and have included 41 heads of state or government, 62 Nobel laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize winners, 80 MacArthur fellows, and countless leaders and changemakers who build mutual understanding between citizens of the U.S. and those of other countries.