This year, the Bioscience and Biotechnology Department is happy to announce that, Adrienne Dolberry, studying under Dr. Shivanthi Anandan, has received a Fulbright Scholarship. The Fulbright Scholarship is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in order to promote “mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries of the world.” Each year the Fulbright Scholarship supports the research and studies of U.S. scholars abroad and welcomes international scholars to universities in the United States. This program is the United States government’s oldest supported international educational exchange. Fulbright Scholars’ fields of study vary greatly and the scholarship provides a range of programs for which to apply to. We caught up with Adrienne Dolberry to ask her about her research here at Drexel and about being named a Fulbright scholar.

Hello Adrienne, tell us a little about yourself. Where were you studying before you came to Drexel and what was your major?(feel free to elaborate on any specific research you have done) Additionally, what Fulbright scholarship were you awarded?

I’m originally from the East Mount Airy section of Philadelphia and attended Drexel University for my undergraduate. At that time, I majored in Biology and minored in International Area Studies with a concentration in German language and culture. I also completed a M.S. in Biology at St. John’s University in Queens, NY. It was at SJU that I was inspired by research in bacterial genetics by my former mentor Dr. Irvin Hirshfield.

I was awarded a U.S. Student Fulbright fellowship to conduct research at the Justus-Liebig Universität in Giessen, Germany. There, I was able to learn various techniques to study protein expression and protein-protein interactions for my doctoral research.

Describe your research here at Drexel.

Since June 2001, I have been researching on cell survival of freshwater cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus during high-light stress conditions. We study the influence of high-light stress at the transcriptional and protein level in order to determine the signaling pathways that are critical for cyanobacteria to survive during this period.

How has being in the Bioscience and Biotechnology Department at Drexel University aided your research goals?

I enjoy the independence that has been given to me by Dr. Anandan to seek out new methods and ideas to further my project. I was pushed to start writing for scholarships since I started the doctoral program and this skill has assisted me with thinking more critically of how my research is presented to others. In addition, advice to better my research from other professors in the department has been a huge help.

What are your plans after completing your doctoral degree?

My goal after graduation is to continue research as a postdoctoral fellow in the field of cyanobacterial genetics at an academic institution where I can further my expertise and mentor students.

The Fulbright Scholarship is an extremely prestigious and competitive award, what advice can you give to current students who plan on applying for this scholarship program in the future?