UNSW academics and alumni earn Fulbright honours

Four members of the UNSW community have been selected as 2025 Fulbright Scholars to strengthen academic and research ties between the United States and Australia.

The 2025 Fulbright Scholars from UNSW Sydney are preparing to embark on a year-long exchange at leading institutions across the United States. 

The four scholars – Dr Brooke Pereira, Dr Christian Said, Conjoint Professor Nada Hamad and Tia Valentini – will strengthen research collaboration and the exchange of ideas in the areas of pancreatic cancer, cardiology and genetics.

Dr Varuni Kulasekera, Executive Director of Fulbright Australia, said: “These scholars exemplify the values and academic distinction of your institution and will contribute significantly to their fields through research, collaboration, and cross-cultural engagement. 

“Upon their return, they will bring back valuable insights and connections, further enriching the University and the broader academic community.”

Strengthening global research ties through Fulbright

Dr Brooke Pereira is a senior postdoctoral researcher at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, specialising in pancreatic cancer. 

Pancreatic cancer is the , and it is becoming increasingly prevalent. 

Dr Pereira’s work employs cutting-edge techniques like proteomics and intravital imaging to identify new therapeutic targets.

As a Fulbright Future Scholar, she will collaborate with Professor Edna Cukierman at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia to analyse pancreatic cancer specimens. Just after their diagnosis, and Dr Pereira hopes to improve treatment outcomes for this lethal disease.

 “My Fulbright research aims to advance pancreatic cancer treatment by identifying new fibrotic co-targets and developing innovative dual therapies. To do this, we will utilise AI-driven spatial mapping to analyse patient pancreatic cancer specimens, fostering US-Australian ties in our shared mission to improve outcomes in this deadly disease,” Dr Pereira said.

Dr Christian Said is an academic and interventional cardiologist with over a decade of service in NSW Health. His research at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute focuses on using temporary heart pumps to manage life-threatening heart attacks.

As a Fulbright Scholar, he will collaborate with Tufts University in Boston to improve the application of these critical devices and advance patient outcomes.

“My Fulbright research focuses on optimising the use of temporary heart pumps in patients experiencing heart attacks,” Dr Said said.

Conjoint Professor Nada Hamad is a senior staff specialist in transplant and cellular therapies and a clinical and laboratory haematologist at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, and senior lecturer at UNSW. 

Prof. Hamad’s Fulbright project at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle focuses on enhancing accessibility to cellular therapies in Australia by leveraging big data and laboratory innovations. The project aims to mitigate the impact of social determinants of health and develop cost-effective, scalable solutions to expand access to life-saving treatments globally.

“My Fulbright project aims to enhance access to cellular therapies by leveraging big data and scalable laboratory innovations. By addressing social determinants of health and advancing cost-effective solutions, I aspire to expand equitable access to life-saving treatments for vulnerable populations in Australia and globally,” Prof. Hamad said.

UNSW alumni receiving Fulbright

Tia Valentini recently completed a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours Class I and The University Medal) at UNSW, where she developed a passion for research on gene regulation and its role in disease.

As a Fulbright Scholar, Ms Valentini will conduct PhD research exploring molecular mechanisms driving the aging process and age-related diseases, aiming to inform the development of therapies that extend “healthspan” – living healthier for longer.

“My Fulbright research aims to understand the molecular mechanisms that drive ageing. Understanding these processes will enable the development of novel therapies that can treat, or perhaps even prevent, age-related disease,” Ms Valentini said.

US Fulbright Scholars coming to UNSW

As part of the Fulbright program, four American scholars will contribute to research at UNSW in 2025. 

Professor Saman Aryana is the Occidental Chair in Energy and Environmental Technologies and Professor and Head of Chemical & Biomedical Engineering at the University of Wyoming. 

“Partnering with UNSW’s expertise, I aim to advance subsurface energy storage research through quantitative and qualitative approaches, fostering long-term collaborations and future student exchange opportunities,” Prof. Aryana said.

Professor Daniel Flaherty is the Chip and Jane Rutledge Early Career Associate Professor in Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at Purdue University. 

“My Fulbright project aims to understand the cellular changes that occur in bacteria upon treatment with antibiotic molecules developed in my lab. This will provide our team with insight into mechanisms of action and possible avenues for bacteria to develop resistance to our drugs,” Prof. Flaherty said.

Adrian Portales earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

As a Fulbright Scholar, he will work to advance semiconductor-based quantum information technologies toward greater precision, control, and scalability. He is collaborating with Professor Andrea Morello at UNSW to develop silicon-based heterogeneous spin-qubit architectures. 

Emily Zhao is a recent graduate of Duke University, where she earned dual degrees in statistics and environmental policy (magna cum laude).

“My research at UNSW will help policymakers and utilities create mechanisms to make renewable energy more effective, affordable, and resilient. By shifting household demand to match renewable energy supply using smart household technologies, we can usher in a more sustainable electrified future,” Ms Zhao said.

Find out more about the to research or study in the US.