UT San Antonio Honors College students explore global research pathways in Germany

UT San Antonio Honors College students explore global research pathways in Germany At UT San Antonio, students can begin exploring research as early as their first year on campus. A new Honors College program is expanding these research opportunities internationally. Global Research Pathways: The German Experience is a five-week summer course for Honors College undergraduates interested in international research or graduate study in STEM fields. This past summer, the program culminated in a 12-day trip to Germany, where 10 students explored research, internship and educational opportunities. While abroad, the students visited leading research and scientific institutions, including Heidelberg University, TU Darmstadt, the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research and the European Space Operations Centre. They met with faculty and graduate students, toured campuses and labs and attended scientific lectures alongside German students. “As a first-generation college student, being able to travel to Germany and visit internationally recognized universities and research institutions was something I never expected to experience when I first started college,” said Claire Rubio, a senior biomedical engineering student. “This program showed me that there are many research and career opportunities outside of the path I had originally imagined for myself.” Rubio and her classmates gained firsthand insight into how research is conducted at these institutions, visiting active laboratories in fields such as chemistry, materials science and molecular biology. “It was eye-opening to see the level of collaboration, and it showed me how the work we learn about in biomedical engineering courses can connect to real research aimed at improving human health,” Rubio added. The students had the opportunity to visit research labs while in Germany.Fulbright connections expand global learning opportunities The next Global Research Pathways cohort is expected to launch in 2028. The Global Research Pathways program was developed and led by Hector Aguilar, associate dean of academic affairs for the Honors College, and Kristi Meyer, assistant dean for special programs and associate professor of practice in the Honors College. Meyer’s selection as a Fulbright awardee in 2024 helped bring the new Honors College program to life this summer. Meyer received a Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) Award that year — a federal award program that supports U.S. higher education administrators — which allowed her to attend a seminar in Germany, build global partnerships and learn more about higher education systems in other countries. “I met many new colleagues from across the world thanks to Fulbright, including the international programs coordinator at Heidelberg University. That connection is how we were able to bring our Global Research Pathways students to their campus this summer,” Meyer said. “It’s been great to see how my Fulbright experience in Germany is now benefiting UT San Antonio students and expanding global learning opportunities for them.”