My Fulbright Experience: Diana Gomes
«The four months I spent at the University of Virginia, thanks to a Fulbright Research Grant and the support of Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), were brief but absolutely wonderful. My time in Charlottesville was incredibly fulfilling both personally and professionally. On a personal level, my time in Charlottesville exceeded all my expectations. Charlottesville is a small, calm, yet vibrant city, full of history. I fell in love with the University of Virginia Campus, the little fellas of the morning and evening walks (chipmunks), and the warmth of its people. I had the chance to meet many wonderful people who shared their culture with me and allowed me to share mine. I was able to form close bonds with my colleagues and friends, and I know that I will cherish these relationships for a lifetime. Living in a house with other college students allowed me to completely immerse myself in the American academic community and participate in numerous university events. These events intended to tighten the connections between students and Professors of the Department and were filled with laughter and camaraderie. I miss those moments, along with my walks around the city always with a coffee in hand, our weekly extra-lab activity of trying different flavors of frozen yogurt, and shopping at Target. I also took the opportunity to travel and explore other cities in the U.S., which deepened my appreciation for the country’s diverse offerings. This experience has ignited a desire to visit more of the U.S. in the future.
Professionally, my experience was equally rewarding. Professor Nick Vecchiarello and the entire Chemical Engineering Department welcomed me with open arms. From day one, Nick ensured I had all the resources needed for my research, introduced me to other researchers, and facilitated access to essential equipment. Despite the occasional setbacks in my research, the invaluable support from Nick and his team allowed me to persevere and grow. During lectures, seminars, and discussions, I observed a distinct work culture characterized by constructive critique and collaboration. Working alongside a team of exceptional researchers was a privilege, and their invaluable guidance and support meant a lot to me. I returned to Portugal as a more skilled and insightful researcher, with an enhanced ability to think critically. This experience also laid the groundwork for future research collaborations, which would not have been possible without this grant.
This 4-month adventure was beyond anything I could have imagined! I am filled with gratitude and a sense of accomplishment. This experience really showed me just how amazing it is when people from around the world work together and how education and curiosity can unlock endless possibilities. In the end, I had the opportunity to attend the PREP Conference, one of the most recognized international conferences in the field of Preparative and Process Chromatography where I learned a lot from an industry perspective and received the Best Poster Award.
I am profoundly grateful to the Fulbright Commission, FCT, Professor Nick Vecchiarello, Professor Bryan Berger, my PhD advisors Professors Ângela Sousa and Luís Passarinha, and the friends and colleagues I made during my stay and back home for all the support. I wholeheartedly recommend these grant opportunities to any researcher or student seeking a life-changing professional and personal experience.»
~~~~
Thank you so much, Diana, and welcome back!