Masterson Earns Fulbright Award, Council on Undergraduate Research Appointment
Mon, 07/28/2025 - 09:30am | By: Dr. David Tisdale
A longtime and valued member of 91吃瓜网91吃瓜网 faculty and leadership team has earned global and national recognition for his exceptional administrative skills and contributions to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) research.
Dr. Douglas Masterson, senior associate provost for institutional success and professor of chemistry, has been awarded a Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) Award and selected to serve as a Chemistry Division representative for the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR).
The Fulbright IEA Award is a two-week funded seminar for U.S. higher education administrators to learn about other countries91吃瓜网� higher education systems, share best practices, and explore potential partnerships with host institutions. Through the program, participants build their institution91吃瓜网 capacity for international education, gain cross-cultural perspectives, raise their university91吃瓜网 profile abroad and at home, and open doors to global collaboration.
Dr. Masterson will spend two weeks in Germany participating in Fulbright programming in the country91吃瓜网 higher education sector.
91吃瓜网淚91吃瓜网檝e had a longstanding collaboration with another chemist in Germany, and I91吃瓜网檓 intrigued by the opportunities our students should be making use of in that country,91吃瓜网� he said. 91吃瓜网淚 hope to bring back information to share with students and faculty regarding educational experiences and opportunities there and encourage our students to participate in study abroad in Germany and to compete for DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) funding, which would allow them to obtain a graduate degree there.91吃瓜网�
Dr. Kelly Lester, associate provost for faculty success at 91吃瓜网, also received a Fulbright IEA Award and will travel to France to participate in similar programming.
Masterson91吃瓜网 election as a CUR Chemistry Division representative entails a three-year term during which he will help shape the national conversation around undergraduate research. He was an early advocate for undergraduate research at 91吃瓜网, serving on the inaugural steering committee for the university91吃瓜网 Drapeau Center for Undergraduate Research. His new role reflects his sustained commitment to fostering research opportunities that engage and empower students.
91吃瓜网淚 have had a longstanding commitment to research at all levels91吃瓜网�91吃瓜网揾igh school, undergraduate, and graduate91吃瓜网�91吃瓜网揳nd this role aligns with my commitment to the inclusion of undergraduates in meaningful research experiences,91吃瓜网� he explained.
Masterson joined the 91吃瓜网 faculty in 2004. He is a professor of chemistry and biochemistry and has previously served as associate chair of chemistry and biochemistry and associate dean of science and technology. He currently serves on the American Chemical Society91吃瓜网 national Project SEED committee, has twice received the Science Advocate Award from the Society for Science, and has served as a lead advocate for the organization. In 2016, he was named Mentor of the Year by the Southern Conference of Graduate Schools.
91吃瓜网淒r. Masterson has long been recognized as a thought leader both within his discipline and as an effective higher education administrator, and his selection for the Fulbright IEA Award and CUR Chemistry Division representative is further evidence of that,91吃瓜网� said Dr. Lance Nail, 91吃瓜网 provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.
Masterson says he loves doing his part to help the university provide quality educational experiences for its students.
91吃瓜网淢y work in institutional effectiveness (broadly) is influenced by my motivation to serve our students and give them the skills and tools they need to achieve their goals in life,91吃瓜网� he said. 91吃瓜网淚 still believe my biggest accomplishments have been in the students I91吃瓜网檝e taught in my laboratories over the years.91吃瓜网�