February 7, 2025

We are thrilled to announce that seventeen Drexel students and recent alumni have been selected as semi-finalists for the prestigious Fulbright US Student Program for 2025-26. These applicants spent considerable time developing research, study, and creative proposals, crafting application essays, and incorporating feedback from supportive readers.

After being chosen by Fulbright US National Screening Committees, their applications have been passed to the host countries for final selection. They will hear in the coming months whether they receive the award. We're so proud of the hard work they've put in to their applications and wish them the best of luck!

Asad Baig
chemistry ’25
Semi-Finalist for Study/Research Grant to Greece

Asad is currently a fifth-year first-generation honors undergraduate at Drexel University studying chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry. He was introduced to research in his freshman year when he was given the honor to work in Dr. Wood's research group through the Maryanoff Scholarship. He continued to expand his research interests through the co-op system where he joined Dr. Xi's research group where he continues to do research now. Through the co-op system he was able to intern at Incyte and AmeriCorps which have developed his career goals and inspired him to apply for a Fulbright grant.

Georgia Condon
criminology & justice studies ’25
Semi-Finalist for English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) to Spain

Georgia is a fourth-year criminology and justice studies major with a concentration in criminal justice. She has focused much of her academic and professional career on learning about the various aspects that affect one's involvement with the criminal justice system, a major one being education. Georgia hopes to use her passion for educational equality to shape her experience in the Fulbright ETA program. If awarded the grant, she plans to use her experience working alongside people with diverse backgrounds to provide an inclusive and uplifting classroom. She also plans to immerse herself in Spanish culture and engage with the local community. 

Pearl Diabene
public health ’25
Semi-Finalist for ETA to Ecuador

Pearl Diabene is a senior majoring in public health with minors in biology and Spanish. Originally from Accra, Ghana, she moved to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, at the age of nine. She is a Drexel Liberty Scholar and a student in the Center for Inclusive Education and Scholarship.

During her time at Drexel, Pearl participated in the STAR Scholars Program, conducting oncology research under Dr. Gabriele Romano. She also enhanced her Spanish proficiency while studying abroad in Costa Rica during her junior year.

As a 2024 Dornsife Global Development Scholar, she worked with World Vision Guatemala to address public health challenges in a rural community. Pearl is passionate about the impact of social determinants of health on health outcomes both in the U.S. and globally. She aspires to integrate her public health expertise and Spanish proficiency as a physician, advocating for underserved communities.

In addition to being a 2022 STAR Scholar and Velay Fellow, Pearl has also been involved in the Pennoni Honors College as a UREP Undergraduate Research Mini-Grant recipient.

Adia Edmondson
MS arts administration and museum leadership ’24
Semi-Finalist for Study/Research Grant to the UK

Adia Edmondson (she/her) is an East Coast native who grew up between New York and Connecticut. Adia has engaged in a variety of experiences within the performing arts, arts education, community service, and front of house operations, working with organizations as an artist and/or arts administrator such as Groove With Me, Dancing Classrooms, Soul Dance Company, Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation, Tessitura, WADE Dance, JUNTOS Collective, Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Pentacle, Association of Arts Administration Educators, as well as a variety of diverse freelance opportunities. She has completed over 3,000 hours of community service through programming with Manhattanville University and Drexel University, as well as full-time and part-time community service with AmeriCorps programs (CityYear and The DREAM Program). Currently, Adia is a New York City Pilates instructor who strives to continue to be an arts advocate while seeking a position in arts leadership.

Adia Edmondson has a BA in Dance & Theatre with a concentration in Dance Therapy and a minor in Studio Art and Psychology from Manhattanville University, as well as a MS in Arts Administration and Museum Leadership with a concentration in Arts Administration and a minor in Arts in Public Health from Drexel University. Additionally, Adia has a variety of certifications, including a 450-hour Pilates comprehensive certification from Drexel Pilates Studio, Non-Credit College Teaching certificate from Drexel University, and a certificate of completion from the Tessitura Career Accelerator program on the Hands-On learning track.

Lillian Fenzil
custom-designed major in academic counseling and advising ’25
Semi-Finalist for ETA to Hungary

Lillian Fenzil (she/her) is a senior pursuing a custom-designed major in academic counseling and advising through developing a holistic student-centered model for advising through courses in communications fields, diversity, and psychology. She currently works with students as a peer mentor with the First-Year Exploratory Studies program, with the Drexel Dragon Buddies international program, and as an ambassador for the Pennoni Honors College. Her first co-op was with Goodwin College to support the advising team, recruitment, and the continuing education programs. Her second co-op was with Drexel's Writers Room supporting their intergenerational programming. She is excited to be considered as a semi-finalist for a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Hungary to further immerse herself in different cultures and to facilitate cross-cultural understanding.

Lillian has also been involved in the Pennoni Honors College through the Honors Program and as a 2022 STAR Scholar.

Alexandra Goodin
psychology ’25
Semi-Finalist for ETA to Spain

Alexandra applied to the Fulbright ETA in Spain program as a senior psychology major and Spanish minor at Drexel. She studied abroad in Madrid during her junior year, had a fantastic experience, and jumped at the chance to go back! After hopefully becoming a Fulbright recipient, Alexandra plans to continue her studies in graduate school, with future plans of becoming a therapist for children and adolescents. During her time at Drexel, she has been involved in the Drexel Pilates Training Program, the Pennoni Honors College, research in the WELL Center, and more!

Cassidy Joyce
environmental science ’25
Semi-Finalist for Study/Research Grant to Ireland

Cassidy Joyce is an undergraduate student with a passion for climate studies. They are a current senior at Drexel University pursuing a BS in Environmental Science with minors in Sociology and Climate Change. They have been conducting climate justice research through the Climate Pedagogy Incubator with Steve Dolph, PhD, and Magdalena Maczynska, PhD, as well as research concerning community environmental monitoring (CEM) with mentor Gwen Ottinger, PhD. After studying abroad in Fall 2023 at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, Cassidy was inspired to pursue the Fulbright scholarship to complete their graduate studies abroad. This master’s degree at Dublin City University in Climate Change: Policy, Media and Society would allow them to build a global understanding of the climate crisis through a social science lens.

Cassidy has been involved in the Pennoni Honors College through the Honors Program.

Karla Negrete
PhD candidate in mechanical engineering
Semi-Finalist for Study/Research Grant to France

Karla Negrete is a fourth-year PhD candidate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, working with Professor Maureen Tang in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. Her research interests lie at the intersection of electrochemistry, data science, and machine learning. Karla's thesis aims to develop a quicker and more cost-effective method for evaluating the performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) using electrochemical fluorescent microscopy (efm), a technique she developed during her PhD program. She has applied for a Fulbright Study/Research Grant to fund the final stage of her thesis research, which seeks to combine efm with a novel technique developed at École Normale Supérieure in Paris, France. This research aims to address relevant real-world questions related to improving LIBs.

Mathew Mitchell
MD ’26
Semi-Finalist for Study/Research Grant to Hungary

Mathew Mitchell is a multifaceted medical student and entrepreneur, bridging the gap between medical innovation, technology, and translational research. His journey, fueled by a personal encounter with the dire consequences of antibiotic resistance, led to the inception of the biopharma startup Organicin Scientific. As a co-founder of Organicin, Mathew has pioneered the development of bacteriocin-based solutions with an emphasis on microbiome modulation for improved health outcomes. He was awarded the Startup Innovation Better Environment Award for his presentation at the UN's FAO World Food Forum, and for his contributions in combating antibiotic resistance and promoting food availability. 

His academic journey is marked by leadership as the Vice President of his class at Georgetown University while pursuing his MS in Physiology and Biophysics, which he sought after earning his BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UMass Amherst. Mathew is currently earning his MD at Drexel University College of Medicine.

Christopher Rauch
PhD candidate in information science
Semi-Finalist for Study/Research Grant to Germany

Christopher Rauch is graduate of Rutgers Law School and a PhD candidate in information science at Drexel University, where his research focuses on ethical decision-making in artificial intelligence. With an academic background spanning litigation, economics, and computational ethics, he integrates interdisciplinary approaches to AI governance and explainability. His current work explores how ethical principles can be embedded into AI systems to ensure transparency and accountability, particularly in high-stakes applications. Christopher has presented at international conferences and contributed to research on algorithmic decision-making, metadata, and digital preservation. His professional experience includes work in corporate technology, public service, and military operations.

Katelynn Rudolph
BS psychology ’24
Semi-Finalist for Study/Research Grant to the UK

Katelynn graduated magna cum laude in Spring 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience. Since her first research experience as a STAR Scholar with Dr. Chrysikou, Katelynn has been dedicated to pursuing a career as a clinical researcher. She completed her co-op at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, where she worked in the Early Detection & Intervention Core and conducted independent research under Dr. Wieckowski and Dr. Vivanti.

Through her Fulbright study grant, Katelynn aims to deepen her expertise in early diagnostic interventions by pursuing a Master’s in Translational Neuroscience with a focus on Alzheimer’s Disease.

In addition to being a 2021 STAR Scholar, Katelynn has also been involved in the Pennoni Honors College as a UREP Undergraduate Research Mini-Grant recipient.

Kate Singh
BS/MS environmental engineering ’25
Semi-Finalist for Fulbright/NAF Fellowship in Flood Management in the Netherlands

Kate is a rising water resources engineer pursuing dual bachelor’s and master’s degrees in environmental engineering at Drexel. As a first-generation student, she drew inspiration from the resourcefulness of her mother and grandparents, forging her own path to success as a young engineer. In her professional endeavors, she is highly regarded for her ability to communicate effectively across different backgrounds, her meticulous and thorough work, and her eagerness to learn and grow in her field.

Starting when she was a freshman in the STAR Scholars Program, she has been continually involved in research centered around urban water resilience and has taken two Intensive Courses Abroad to study global challenges in water resource management. While she has worked and researched in a variety of areas including water and wastewater treatment, environmental policy development, project management, and community outreach, she has cultivated skills and found a passion for community-centered flood resilience planning. 

She is currently working on her master’s thesis, focusing on adaptation strategies for intense rain in New York City. If selected, she will use her skillset to research flood preparedness of critical facilities in the Netherlands. In her free time, you would find her baking cakes, crocheting, crafting, roller skating, or paddleboarding!

Matthew Spangler
MD ’26
Semi-Finalist for Study/Research Grant to Denmark

Matthew Spangler is a third-year medical student at Drexel University College of Medicine. He is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Dayton, graduating summa cum laude with a major in biochemistry and a minor in psychology. Throughout his medical school years, Matthew has developed a deep passion for ophthalmology, dedicating much of his time to research in collaboration with leading ophthalmologists at multiple institutions. As a current Fulbright semi-finalist, he hopes to build on his experience by conducting cutting-edge research at the Danish Cornea Bank during the 2025-2026 academic year. With a strong commitment to academic medicine, Matthew aims to pursue an ophthalmology residency and make meaningful contributions to the field through both patient care and research.

Samuel Sung
PhD candidate in biomedical engineering
Semi-Finalist for Study/Research Grant to Germany

Sam's interest in conducting research began at the Ohio State University where he applied his physics and chemistry degrees conducting undergraduate research designing PET/CT filters at Wexner Medical Center's Department of Radiology and cataloging inorganic compositions of aerosol particles in the Department of Chemistry. After graduating, Sam worked as a chemist at the Naval Research Lab in Washington, DC designing microfluidic optical traps and separating malaria-infected red blood cells from healthy ones. With a growing interest in medical devices, Sam earned his MS from Northwestern University and later worked at a startup as an analytical chemist to engineer a slow-release, long-term anti-retroviral delivery device as an option for HIV prophylaxis. While researching HIV, Sam became fascinated with the immune system and sought to hone his interests and studies by pursuing a PhD at Drexel University's Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, led by Dr. Kara Spiller.

Outside of the lab, Sam's interests can range from reading, running, and woodworking to backpacking, photography, and trade schools. Sam is also a commissioned officer and has been serving as a Captain at 4th Combat Engineer Battalion in the United States Marine Corps Reserves, where he enjoys training and working with Marines.

This list does not include the semi-finalists who declined to be publicized in this step of the process.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards funding for one academic year of self-designed study, research, creative projects, or teaching English in over 140 countries around the world. 

For more information please visit the Fulbright U.S. Student Program website or email fellowships@drexel.edu.

Special thanks to the Drexel faculty and staff members who worked with UREP during the summer and fall to advise individual applicants, review campus applications, and conduct campus interviews:

Lloyd Ackert, History, CoAS
Stacey Ake, English & Philosophy, CoAS
Pete Amato, English & Philosophy, CoAS
Katie Barak, Academic Programs, Pennoni
Ben Barnett, English Language Center, CoAS
Melissa Bennett, Steinbright Career Development Center
Hande Benson, Decision Sciences, LeBow
Hilary Bonta, English Language Center, CoAS
Resa Brinkley, Steinbright Career Development Center
Susan Brooks, Kline School of Law
Jillian Clark, Steinbright Career Development Center
Laura-Edythe Coleman, Arts Administration & Museum Leadership, Westphal
Fernanda Cruz-Rios, Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, CoE
Lauren Davis, Academic Programs, Pennoni
Casey Devine, Education Abroad, Drexel Global
Erin Durkin, Student Events & Engagement, Dornsife
Kevin Egan, Academic Programs, Pennoni
Barry Furrow, Kline School of Law
Tali Gidalevitz, Biology, CoAS
Caryn Glaser, Biomedical Engineering, BIOMED
Jessica Green, Writers Room
Meg Guliford, Politics, CoAS
Kate Hughes, Advising, CoAS
Valerie Klein, Education, SoE
Emmanuel Koku, Sociology, CoAS
Frank Lee, Digital Media, Westphal
Beth Leonberg, Health Sciences, CNHP
Melinda Lewis, Strategy, Pennoni
Brent Luvaas, Global Studies, CoAS
Celeste Mann, Global Studies, CoAS
Luz Matus Mendoza, Global Studies, CoAS
Julia May, Communication, CoAS
VK Narayanan, Management, LeBow
Constance Perry, Health Administration, CNHP
Greg Probst, Academic Programs, Pennoni
Alex Quistberg, Environmental & Occupational Health, Urban Health, Dornsife
Ramesh Raghupathi, Neurobiology & Anatomy, CoM
Rachel Reynolds, Communication, CoAS
Chris Rodell, Biomedical Engineering, BIOMED
Simone Schlichting-Artur, Global Studies, CoAS
Jocelyn Sessa, Biodiversity, Earth & Environmental Science, CoAS
Adrian Shieh, Biomedical Engineering, BIOMED
Jeff Stanley, Screenwriting & Playwriting, Westphal
Jessica Tortu, Advising, Dornsife
Nielufar Varjavand, Internal Medicine, CoM
Maria Volynsky, English & Philosophy, CoAS
Julia Wisniewski, Academic Programs, Pennoni
Erica Zelinger, Marketing & Media, Pennoni