Two recent University of Nebraska–Lincoln graduates and a graduate student have received Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards for the 2025-26 academic year.
The Fulbright program expands perspectives through academic and professional advancement and cross-cultural dialogue. In partnership with more than 140 countries worldwide, the program offers unparalleled opportunities in all academic disciplines to passionate and accomplished graduating college seniors, graduate students and young professionals. Program participants pursue graduate study, conduct research or teach English abroad.
The primary source of funding for the Fulbright program is an annual appropriation made by Congress to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participating governments, host institutions, corporations and foundations in foreign countries and the United States also provide direct and indirect support. Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected based on academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields.
The following Husker students were named finalists and accepted award offers. They are organized alphabetically by hometown, with their academic major(s), country where they will teach and/or study, Fulbright grant type, award status and a brief bio.
- Iowa City, Iowa: Jillian Kurovski, doctoral student in biological sciences, South Korea, U.S.-Korea Presidential STEM Initiative Award: Kurovski is a second-year doctoral student whose research focuses on the influence of female choice on the evolution of male and female reproductive anatomy using Dolomedes spiders as a model system. With the Fulbright award, she aims to advance her research on Dolomedes spiders in South Korea while deepening a connection to her Korean heritage and sharing experiences as an Asian American scientist. She hopes to become a university professor and continue to work in reproductive biology and evolution. Kurovski is advised by Eileen Hebets, professor of biological sciences.
- St. Joseph, Missouri: Carson Haberyan, French, France, Fulbright-French Government English Teaching Assistant Award: Haberyan graduated in May with a Bachelor of Arts with highest distinction in French and secondary education. His experiences with language learning drove him to apply for a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship, which will develop his skills in teaching and deepen cultural knowledge he can share with students. Haberyan is a strong advocate for accessible foreign language education and wants to create spaces for students of varied backgrounds to engage with each other. During his time at Nebraska, he served as a resident assistant and president of the French/Francophone Club. He has been offered a teaching assistant placement in the Bordeaux region.
- Mooresville, North Carolina: Brigid Toomey, biological sciences, France, Fulbright-Grenoble Alpes University Award: Toomey graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science with high distinction in biological sciences, with minors in biochemistry and French. She has conducted undergraduate research as an INBRE scholar in a microbial genetics laboratory under the supervision of Audrey Atkin, associate professor of biological sciences. She also graduated from the University Honors Program and served as president of the College of Arts and Sciences’ Student Ambassador program. She has accepted a Fulbright award to study cellular and molecular biology at Grenoble Alpes University in Grenoble, France, for one year. Toomey plans to return to the United States to pursue a doctoral degree in cancer biology at Washington University in St. Louis.
Including the three finalists, 14 Husker students and recent alumni were recommended to host countries and recognized by the U.S. National Screening Committee as semifinalists. Of these, graduating senior Evin Rasho was named a finalist after their intended graduate program’s admissions deadline and could not accept the award. Two additional graduating seniors, Emma Bitterman and a student who declined to be publicized, were named alternates and waitlisted. Alternates may be promoted to finalist status and offered awards if additional funding becomes available. A semifinalist applicant, Daniel Vinton, remains under consideration. An additional semifinalist did not provide a release for publicity.
The finalists, alternates and semifinalists, listed alphabetically by hometown, with their academic major(s), intended country where they will teach and/or study, Fulbright grant type and award status, are:
NEBRASKA:
- Gretna: Emma Bitterman, biochemistry and French, France, Fulbright-Grenoble Alpes University Award, alternate.
- Lincoln: Elizabeth Herbin, history, Montenegro, English Teaching Assistant Award, semifinalist; Mariela Hernandez, dance, South Korea, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities Award, semifinalist; Evin Rasho, software engineering and data science, Finland, Fulbright-LUT University Graduate Award, finalist; Daniel Vinton, biochemistry, Oman, Open Study/Research Award, semifinalist (pending results).
- Omaha: Anna Youell, advertising and public relations, Spain, English Teaching Assistant Award, semifinalist.
ELSEWHERE IN THE U.S.:
- Savannah, Georgia: Kirsten Morris, doctoral student in mathematics, Finland, Open Study/Research Award, semifinalist.
- Gooding, Idaho: Charlotte Brockman, agronomy, Netherlands, Open Study/Research Award, semifinalist.
- Ashville, Ohio: Julian Gillilan, doctoral student in history, Austria, Open Study/Research Award, semifinalist.
At Nebraska, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships advises and nominates undergraduate candidates for 30 supported scholarships and fellowships. To learn more, students and campus community members should contact Courtney Santos, director of undergraduate research and fellowships, at courtney.santos@unl.edu.
