The awards enable talented New Zealand graduates and academics to undertake postgraduate study or research in the United States (US).
Two Victoria academics received a Fulbright New Zealand Scholar Award, open to New Zealand academics to lecture or conduct research in the US for up to five months.
Dr Rob Keyzers, a senior lecturer in Victoria’s School of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, will use microbial imaging mass spectrometry to fast-track the discovery of new antibiotics at the University of California.
Fellow Scholar Award winner, Nigel Isaacs from Victoria’s School of Architecture, will research the development of the first national building code in the US and examine its impact on the New Zealand code developed two years later.
Three Victoria graduates were among the ten to receive Fulbright Science and Innovation Graduate Awards that are offered for students to support growth and innovation in New Zealand.
Research of the Victoria graduates ranges from Alexandra Sinclair’s study on intellectual property and civil and indigenous rights, to Henry Law’s research of an oyster parasite and Hannah Griffin’s study of environmental policy.
Victoria alumnus David Bullock from Lower Hutt, who will receive a Fulbright New Zealand General Graduate Award, will complete a Master of Law at the world’s fourth-ranked law school, Yale University, while Ana Montgomery-Neutze from Kapiti will complete a Master’s in Social Documentary Film at New York’s School of Visual Arts.
Victoria’s Vice-Provost (Research) Professor Kate McGrath says these awards are a fantastic opportunity for the award winners.
“On behalf of the University, I’d like to congratulate the seven winners from Victoria. Receiving a Fulbright New Zealand Award is the start of an exciting new chapter to their academic careers. Both the winning academics and graduates will not only be able to progress new areas of research, but will also be able to make the most of learning at highly ranked international institutions and be exposed to alternative thinking and trends. I’m sure the awards will open doors for the future.
“It’s fantastic to see Victoria alumni and staff well represented amongst award winners. Their success demonstrates why Victoria is ranked number one in New Zealand for research quality.”
As part of Fulbright New Zealand’s Awards, two American graduate students and one American academic will undertake research at Victoria.
Clare Jones, graduate from the internationally acclaimed Iowa Writer’s Workshop, will complete her collection of poetry at Victoria, while Lindsey Pointer from Colorado will complete a Master of Arts in Public Policy at Victoria.
Louise Davidson-Schmich, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Miami, will undertake research into New Zealand’s female Prime Ministers during her tenure at Victoria.