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Michael Gonda, professor in South ��ֱ���� State University's Department of Animal Science, has received a 2025-26 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program ��ֱ����. With the award, Gonda will travel to Hungary and the , where he will teach and conduct research.

"I am honored to be a Fulbright ��ֱ���� recipient," Gonda said. "I am looking forward to working with colleagues at the University of Debrecen to teach students and train the next generation of ��ֱ���� scientists. I look forward to sharing what I learn in Hungary with South ��ֱ���� State University students, faculty, staff and the Brookings community." 

are faculty, researchers, administrators and established professionals teaching or conducting research in affiliation with institutes abroad. Fulbright Scholars engage in cutting-edge research and expand their professional networks, often continuing research collaborations started abroad and laying the groundwork for forging future partnerships between institutions. Upon returning to their home countries, institutions, labs and classrooms, they share their stories and often become active supporters of international exchange, inviting foreign scholars to campus and encouraging colleagues and students to go abroad.

In Hungary, Gonda will teach two classes, applied ��ֱ���� breeding and quantitative genetics, and will collaborate with faculty members at the university on beef cattle genetics research.

"We will work together to analyze data from Hungarian beef breed associations," Gonda said. "I will also assist with training graduate students at the University of Debrecen."

Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided over 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research abroad. "Fulbrighters" exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections and work to address complex global challenges. Notable Fulbrighters include 62 Nobel Laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize winners, 80 MacArthur Fellows, 41 heads of state or government, and thousands of leaders across the private, public and nonprofit sectors.

“Dr. Gonda’s selection for this Fulbright ��ֱ���� is yet another opportunity for SDSU to grow its global reach and expand its global reputation,” said Dennis Hedge, SDSU's provost and vice president for academic affairs. “As a Fulbright Scholar, (Gonda) will identify and advance new opportunities for academic and research collaborations, and that is exciting for our university. Dr. Gonda’s selection as a Fulbright Scholar, coupled with SDSU’s recent academic program partnership in precision agriculture with the University of Debrecen, gives South ��ֱ���� State University tremendous momentum to advance partnerships in that part of the world.”

Over 800 individuals teach or conduct research abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program annually. In addition, over 2,000 Fulbright U.S. Student Program participants — recent college graduates, graduate students and early career professionals — participate in study/research exchanges or as English teaching assistants in local schools abroad each year.

"The Department of Animal Science and I are extremely proud of Dr. Michael Gonda and excited for the outstanding opportunity that lies ahead of him. Given his deep insights, enthusiasm and passion for education, I am confident he will make the most of his time at the University of Debrecen in Hungary," said John Jaeger, the Calvin and Mary Hayenga Endowed Head and professor in SDSU's Department of Animal Science. "Dr. Gonda’s commitment to excellence in undergraduate instruction and his dedication to creating meaningful research opportunities for undergraduate students are hallmarks of his work at SDSU. His collaborative spirit and eagerness to support colleagues in enhancing their own teaching will further elevate SDSU’s reputation abroad."

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the federal government. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the program, which operates in over 160 countries worldwide.

Gonda will travel to Hungary in late August and will return to the United States after the new year.

"With his consistently positive attitude and approachable demeanor, (Gonda) will undoubtedly excel as a cultural ambassador for the Fulbright Scholar Program and represent SDSU with distinction," Jaeger added.

In the United States, the Institute of International Education implements the Fulbright U.S. Student and U.S. Scholar programs on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit https://fulbrightprogram.org