From Drexel to Europe: Research in Action

When I think about a defining Drexel experience, my mind returns to the summer of 2025, when my doctoral journey carried me across the Atlantic.

Boarding the plane at Philadelphia International Airport, I felt both the weight of my PhD training and the thrill of stepping into Europe for the very first time. I was en route to Sweden, having been selected as one of only twenty doctoral fellows, chosen from a global pool of two hundred applicants, for the Doctoral Summer Research School hosted by the Swedish Center for the Impacts of Climate Extremes (CLIMES) at Uppsala University.

Touching down in Stockholm, I was immediately struck by the clean, crisp air and the quiet confidence of a city shaped by centuries of history. A short train ride carried me into Uppsala, with its cobblestone streets, gothic cathedral spires, and the hum of students cycling through ancient university lanes.

It was more than travel; it was the living expression of what my doctoral program encourages me to become: globally engaged, intellectually daring, and committed to building bridges where others see divides.

Having already shared my research in Argentina and Canada, Sweden became another place where the depth of my Drexel training was recognized in a new and profound way. Professor Gabriele Messori, a leading meteorologist, shared that the organizing committee had been impressed not only by my curriculum but also by my potential to provide "a unique and thought-provoking contribution" to the school. Reading those words from a subsequent recommendation letter filled me with gratitude for the interdisciplinary foundation Drexel has given me — the ability to synthesize climate science, media studies, and cultural discourse into something coherent and impactful.

The days in Sweden were intensive. Mornings began with lectures on extreme weather modeling and statistical analysis, followed by workshops that pushed us to think critically about how scientific knowledge travels beyond the lab. I found myself drawing deeply on Drexel's emphasis on communication, framing questions about how climate extremes are not only physical phenomena but also narratives that shape policy and public perception. Evenings were no less memorable, sharing dinners with fellows from across continents, visiting historical sites while the northern sun lingered well past 10 p.m. Each conversation reminded me of the responsibility I carried as a Drexel scholar to contribute insights that bridged science and society.

From Sweden, my journey extended southward to Rome. Arriving at Fiumicino Airport, I felt a new surge of wonder, this time stepping onto the ancient streets of the Eternal City. My destination was Sapienza University of Rome, the oldest university in the city, where I was scheduled to present at my first workshop as a PhD student.

Standing before an international audience, I both presented and chaired a panel session, moments that demanded both intellectual clarity and the leadership confidence Drexel continually cultivates in me. At the close of the conference, I was honored with the Emerging Scholar Award by the Religion in Society Research Network.

The seamless arc of these experiences, from Sweden's scientific rigor to Rome's cultural gravitas, reflected the very heart of my Drexel research focus: the intersection of climate science and spirituality. It was more than travel; it was the living expression of what my doctoral program encourages me to become: globally engaged, intellectually daring, and committed to building bridges where others see divides.