Two University of Detroit Mercy Professors receive Fulbright U.S. Scholar program awards

Two faculty members from the University of Detroit Mercy have recently received awards to study abroad from the Fulbright Program.

The first of these, Stokes S. Baker, associate professor of Biology, received his Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to fund his research which will take place in Belize throughout the 2023-24 academic year.

While in Belize, Baker will observe various unique biological resources in collaboration with faculty and staff from the University of Belize. The examinations will take place in an environmentally sustainable manner and be used to integrate DNA sequencing technology into research and teaching on biological diversity.

Baker will also assist with the integration of hands-on learning and teaching resources that involve students in Belize using DNA sequencing technology to identify microorganisms that are part of different biological processes, such as methane production from animal waste.

Baker was quoted in an article posted on the University of Detroit Mercy’s website on the research trip, saying, “For a biologist, Belize is an amazing country. Belizeans have made conservation a priority, placing most of the country under protective status.  My hope is I help Belizeans expand sustainable development.” 

Baker will also work together with researchers from the University of Belize in their efforts to create sustainable sea cucumber fisheries. They will conduct investigations that use DNA sequencing that will identify the microorganisms and algae that live on sea cucumbers in the wild, so that they will be better able to monitor the health of the animals while being grown for agriculture. There is the hope that these projects could benefit the economic development of Belize. 

The other Fulbright Program award recipient is Professor of Philosophy Gail Presbey. She will join the Fulbright Hays Mexico-U.S.A. Seminar Abroad this July. The title of the seminar is “Understanding the Development of a Strategic Relationship.”

Just 16 people will be able to take part in the four-week seminar, and they will visit landmarks that have a shared history between Mexico and the U.S. Participants will also focus on issues of migration, cultural exchange, technology, science, security, environment, and public health while learning from Mexican scholars.

Presbey was quoted on the upcoming experience, saying, “I look forward to this opportunity to learn more about the history of Mexico as well as about the current events unfolding in Mexico, and the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico, all of which are the focus of the summer seminar.”

Presbey also talked about the connections she noticed between her work with the Carney Latin American Solidarity Archive and the topics to be covered in the seminar, as well as the modern Latin America course she teaches at Detroit Mercy.

“I look forward to being able to share what I learned with our students in upcoming semesters,” she said.

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program of the U.S. government. The program is supported by partner countries around the world and the people of the United States.

More information about the University of Detroit Mercy can be found on the school’s website.