SUU Professor Dr. Jackie Grant Awarded Renowned Fulbright Fellowship
Published: February 16, 2023 | Author: Kate Lyons | Read Time: 3 minutes
Southern Utah University is pleased to announce that Dr. Jacqualine Grant, associate professor of geosciences, museum curator, and published scientific illustrator, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to conduct conservation biology teaching and research in New Zealand. Dr. Grant is among very few that have received the Fulbright Scholar award and is the first faculty in the College of Sciences and first female recipient from SUU.
“Being awarded a Fulbright in 2019 was both very exciting and stressful because of the timing,” said Dr. Grant. “I received news of the award just months before everything shut down due to COVID-19. The project’s original date was set to begin in 2021, but my host country, New Zealand, closed its borders to most travelers until the summer of 2022. It's a huge and humbling honor to be awarded a Fulbright, and the award comes with a big responsibility because you are expected to represent the people of the United States.”
Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement, as well as record of service and demonstrated leadership in their respective fields. The Fulbright Program is designed to build lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Dr. Grant joins over 800 U.S. citizens who will teach, conduct research, and/or provide expertise abroad for the 2022-2023 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program.
Dr. Grant will perform research and lead seminars at Massey University in Palmerston North as part of a project to understand native plant diversity and its cultural significance. She will also spend five months at the New Zealand Indigenous Flora Seed Bank working with colleagues to identify the components of the Maori seed-banking protocol that can be applied to a Paiute seed-banking program.
Dr. Grant’s expertise focuses on seed biology, conservation biology, and the intersection between indigenous cultures and plants. For the past three years, Dr. Grant has directed a Seeds of Success seed collection program and worked with the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah to reinvigorate local interest in culturally significant plants.
“I have taught over 20 different biology and education courses during my eight years at SUU,” Dr. Grant said. “In 2017, I converted the genetics laboratory course at SUU to a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) in which students were engaged with lab techniques by way of an authentic research problem. I also direct the Garth and Jerri Frehner Museum of Natural History at SUU, and through this venue, I engage in many informal science education activities that target all age levels. Because of my experience at SUU, I’m able to teach workshops and complete pilot research projects during the Fulbright.”
Fulbrighters address critical global challenges in all disciplines while building relationships, knowledge, and leadership in support of the long-term interests of the United States. Fulbright alumni have achieved distinction in many fields, including 59 who have been awarded the Nobel Prize, 84 who have received Pulitzer Prizes, and 37 who have served as a head of state or government.
Led by the United States government in partnership with more than 160 countries worldwide, the Fulbright Program offers international educational and cultural exchange programs for passionate and accomplished students, scholars, artists, teachers, and professionals of all backgrounds to study, teach, or pursue important research and professional projects.
Other SUU faculty members who have received the Fulbright Scholar Award include David Schwalb (Ukraine), Jim Aton (China and Indonesia), Jon Smith (Portugal and Swaziland), and Bryce Christensen (Taiwan).
Tags: College of Natural Sciences Biology Faculty