Three PVAMU scholars earn prestigious Fulbright research awards

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (June 2, 2026) – Prairie View A&M University Spring 2025 political science graduate Amya Fedd was completing judicial clerkship work with City of Fort Worth judges when she received the news. She’d been selected for a Fulbright Research Fellowship. Fedd jumped for joy and thanked God; the months of hard work were all worth it. She shared her good news with her support circle, whom she nicknamed the “task force,” and finally let it all sink in. In a matter of weeks, she would be leaving to conduct human rights policy research in Trinidad and Tobago.

Fedd is just one of three Honors students from PVAMU selected to receive Fulbright research awards. Spring ‘24 alumnus Ehiguese Obiomon will pursue prostate cancer research in Brazil, and graduating senior biology student Anisa Cole will conduct cancer research in Switzerland.

This momentous occasion marks another milestone for PVAMU, as the University celebrates its second Fulbright U.S. Student cycle producing awardees. Previous Fulbright applicants primarily pursued English Teaching Assistantships. This year, PVAMU had a historic wave of five student applicants for the Study/Research award; the cohort reflects a growing student interest in opportunities to engage in research abroad.

“This shift signals a deepening of academic engagement and research capacity among our students, positioning them not only as global participants, but as contributors to global knowledge,” said the Dean of Prairie View A&M University Honors College, Dr. Quincy C. Moore III.

Dean Moore stressed that the achievement is not the result of chance, but of intentional strategy and sustained investment in preparing PVAMU students and alumni to thrive as global scholars and researchers.

Building a Campus Culture Grounded in Research Excellence

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program sends students, artists, and early-career professionals abroad to study, research, and teach in more than 160 countries. The program offers three types of awards: the Study/Research Award, which supports independent research or graduate study at a host institution abroad; the English Teaching Assistantship (ETA), which places fellows in classrooms within a host country to teach English; and the Critical Language Enhancement Award, which provides additional language training for students in host countries where proficiency in the local language is essential to their work.

As one of the most prestigious international exchange programs, the Fulbright application and selection process is very competitive, with only about 20% of applicants selected each year. PVAMU Fellowship Advisor Alexis Agard formalized an advisory cohort to give students a competitive edge. The cohort included Dean Moore, Dr. Nathan Mitchell, and Dr. Stephanie Tilley ’24, PVAMU’s first Fulbright student recipient in 2023.

The cohort was part of a greater collaborative effort, led by Agard, to unite the Honors College and the Office of International Programs to mentor students and strengthen their applications. “Dr. Nathan Mitchell sacrificed a great deal of his time to help me research my topic and locate credible sources and data….he continues to show up for me even in his most demanding seasons. I am truly grateful for his support and remain deeply appreciative of all he has done for me,” said Fedd.

Anisa Cole, a member of both the Honors College and the Undergraduate Medical Academy (UMA), says her campus experiences helped shape her leadership path. With encouragement from the Honors College and Dean Moore, she took on roles as Vice President of Research for the Student Government Association and as an executive board member of the Student Music Union. Cole is a Goldwater scholar and noted that Dean Moore, the campus representative for the scholarship, provided steady guidance throughout the application process.​

Cole also credited the Office of International Programs as being instrumental in her journey to becoming one of PVAMU’s first-ever Goldwater Scholars last year and now a Fulbright awardee in this historic cycle.

“Ms. Agard helped me through the process of choosing a country to apply to, reaching out to host labs, and preparing a winning personal statement,” said Cole. She added that mentorship from the UMA was also central to her development as an aspiring physician scientist.

Fedd and Obiomon, also alumni of the PVAMU Honors Program, echo Cole’s sentiments, emphasizing that being a part of the program exposed them to opportunities that shaped their global perspective, pushed them to a higher level of excellence, and provided the resources and encouragement needed to succeed. “Leaning on mentors helped keep me accountable,” shared Obiomon.

Fedd admits that she had a moment of uncertainty after applying for the fellowship and being denied during a previous application cycle. But she explained that Ms. Agard stood firm in her insistence that she reapply.

“The Honors College significantly shaped my perspective on both my collegiate and professional career….My story may not be what it is today had I not had the opportunity to experience the accolades and culture of excellence within the PVAMU Honors College,” said Fedd.

​With all three recipients awarded research fellowships, it’s a sign of a cultural shift at the institution. More PVAMU scholars are gaining the skills and confidence to become thought leaders across a range of academic disciplines. It has been four years since PVAMU earned designation as an R2 research institution and one year since the University was reaffirmed as one of only 13 HBCUs nationwide to hold that designation, and one of just five within The Texas A&M University System.

​Now, three PVAMU scholars will conduct comprehensive research to find solutions to global issues. “This milestone reflects what becomes possible when access, preparation, and intentional mentorship are aligned,” said Dean Moore.

A laboratory at the University of Zürich in Switzerland will host Cole, where she will study a rare and aggressive blood cancer called primary effusion lymphoma (PEL). Her research will explore how two common viruses may interact in the disease and whether that relationship could point to new treatment options. There is currently no effective standard therapy for PEL. The work will use advanced models that closely replicate the human body.

Fedd is set to research human trafficking in Trinidad and Tobago with the Faculty of Law at the University of the West Indies. Her research will examine the national legal frameworks and border security policies that influence both the prevalence and prosecution of human trafficking in Trinidad.

For Obiomon, this is an opportunity to conduct research that can serve as a model for reducing health disparities and improving cancer care. His research at the University of São Paulo’s Comprehensive Center for Precision Oncology will examine how a patient’s DNA influences whether a drug will work well or cause side effects. Currently, most pharmacogenomic data come from populations of European descent, limiting their applicability to more diverse populations. Obiomon’s goal is to focus on scalable, cost-effective approaches to precision oncology.

Addressing Collective Challenges Within a Cultural Context

Studying abroad allows students to better understand how culture and history shape research, preparing them to address challenges that extend across borders.

“Every perspective matters. Diverse voices are essential for addressing global challenges and advancing knowledge in meaningful ways,” said Obiomon, whose research in Brazil examines prostate cancer and its connection to genetics and population diversity. He notes that Brazil’s diverse population provides an important setting for studying how people respond differently to treatment.

Obiomon added that while preparing his application, he found it challenging to clearly communicate his research within broader institutional and global contexts. He hopes the Fulbright experience will strengthen his ability to lead international research collaborations and develop approaches that can be applied to health challenges at home.

For Fedd, the Fulbright fellowship fulfills a long-held goal of studying abroad. She selected Trinidad and Tobago due to its close ties with the United States and the growing public health concerns around human trafficking affecting women and girls in both countries.

“I wanted the opportunity to represent myself, my passions, and my university on a national scale,” Fedd said. “I knew that my research could make a meaningful contribution by helping make our country safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”

Fedd said her work is also shaped by her lived experience as a woman of color. She noted that missing persons cases disproportionately affect women and girls, particularly Black women and immigrants, and said she hopes her research can help raise awareness and provide resources.

She also hopes to engage with local women’s organizations and potentially start a book club for at-risk teenage girls focused on empowerment and education.

Cole said there is global importance in continuing to study primary effusion lymphoma, a rare cancer with a very poor prognosis. Her research focuses on how two viruses may interact in the disease and whether that relationship could help identify future treatment options.

She added that her project at the University of Zürich addresses an important gap in understanding these viral interactions. Cole also noted that the host lab has active funding supporting this area of research, including studies on diseases, including connections between viruses and neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis.

Cole said she also looks forward to engaging with the Swiss community through volunteer work and sharing her perspective as a graduate of an HBCU and someone raised in rural Texas. She added that Prairie View A&M University prepares scholars who are both academically strong and culturally grounded. “PVAMU produces scholars who excel in their education and also possess a cultural awareness that comes from knowing the history behind the institutions where they are educated,” said Cole.

From Fellowship to Future Leaders in Medicine and Policy

As the students prepare to depart for their host countries, each describes a mixture of excitement, gratitude, and disbelief at how far they have come. After months of revisions, interviews, and preparation, the application process is complete, but the real work is just beginning.

Backed by a strong support system of family, mentors, and faculty, Fedd says her experiences at PVAMU have equipped her with the confidence and resilience needed to excel on an international stage.

“There are no limitations on what I can achieve. I am aiming higher than ever, and I am confident that I will accomplish everything I have set out to do, and more,” said Fedd with a newfound conviction. “I cannot wait to make my family, mentors, and beloved faculty members proud.”

At the end of her fellowship, she plans to publish a peer-reviewed journal article to share her findings and offer policy recommendations for legislators to help educate the public and NGOs on the tools, resources, and best practices needed to effectively combat human trafficking on a global scale. Building on her work with young women in Trinidad, she hopes to eventually incorporate a nonprofit organization in the United States dedicated to supporting and empowering women.

As Obiomon prepares for Brazil, he’s completing a two-year internship at Novartis in the Global Health department, where he’s contributed to drug development efforts targeting malaria. Though Obiomon was set to begin a graduate program this academic year, he deferred his offer to pursue the Fulbright fellowship. Reflecting on his journey, he expressed deep gratitude to the University community for supporting his growth as both a scientist and an individual.

“This experience has shown me the value of my perspective and reinforced the idea that sometimes the opportunities you want don’t exist—you have to create them. It also clarified my path in global health and strengthened my commitment to making innovative healthcare solutions accessible worldwide,” said Obiomon.

He encourages students who are interested in applying for the fellowship to create a plan and a network of supporters and mentors. “The Fulbright process can feel overwhelming, but with planning and support, it’s absolutely achievable.” Post-fellowship, Obiomon plans to pursue a career as a global health leader, advancing innovative technologies and ensuring equitable access to healthcare solutions worldwide.

Cole plans to pursue an MD-PhD in microbiology and immunology with a focus on oncology and viral malignancies. She says medical training will equip her to help bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical care.

In 2024, she shadowed a physician-scientist mentor, an experience that deepened her understanding of how patients rely on clinical trials and the need for continued advances in treatment. She will join her host lab with prior experience studying Epstein-Barr virus and has completed research internships at Harvard Medical School and Stanford School of Medicine over the past three summers, strengthening her interest in how viruses contribute to cancer development. Looking ahead, she hopes to lead her own interdisciplinary cancer virology research lab and contribute to improving treatment options for virus-associated cancers.

Cole says PVAMU’s faculty mentorship and the University’s collaborative culture played a key role in her development as a scholar and future physician-scientist.

“Prairie View prepared me by surrounding me with people who invested in me and shared their knowledge. There is a culture here where one person’s knowledge becomes everyone’s knowledge,” Cole said. “The brilliant people at Prairie View molded the student I am today.”

By Whitney Stovall

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