June 16, 2026 — Four faculty members at the University of Memphis have received the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award: Drs. Vania Barraza Toledo, Thomas Goebel, Dennis Laumann and Vasile Rus.
Fulbright U.S. Scholars are accomplished faculty, researchers, administrators and established professionals who teach or conduct research in partnership with institutions around the world. Through these affiliations, they expand their professional networks and often seed future research, innovation and institutional partnerships. When they return home to their campuses, labs and classrooms, Fulbright Scholars share their experiences and insights, becoming champions of international collaboration.
“Fulbright awards recognize not only faculty excellence, but also the importance of collaboration to foster a more connected and informed world. Our faculty recipients reflect our deep commitment to research, teaching and service that extend well beyond geographic boundaries,” said Provost Dr. David Russomanno.
2026-27 Fulbright Scholars for the UofM:
Professor of Spanish in the Department of World Languages and Literatures, Barraza Toledo, will complete her program in Chile during the Spring 2027 semester at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. In addition to teaching, she will do research to explore two Chilean women filmmakers, Alicia Scherson and Marcela Said, and how their films encourage viewers to align their perspectives with those of the characters, often engaging in senses beyond sight.
An Associate Professor in the Center for Earthquake Research and Information (CERI), Goebel will complete his program at the University of El Salvador in Santa Ana, El Salvador from June to August. His research project will investigate how faults and volcanoes deform over long periods of time by using seismology as a tool to understand the mechanics of earthquakes and volcanoes.
A professor in the Department of History, Laumann will complete his program at the T.A. Marryshow Community College (MCC) in Grenada from January to July 2027. While in Grenada, he will be hosted by the MCC School of Arts, Sciences, and Professional Studies at T.A. Marryshow Community College, where he will teach classes, lead workshops for teachers and students, and deliver public lectures.
A professor in the Department of Computer Science, Rus will complete his program at The National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest during the Fall 2026 semester. Collaborating with the research group at The National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA, Rus and his collaborators will explore cross-cultural aspects of code comprehension.
For eight decades, Fulbrighters have been leaders at the forefront of discovery and innovation, conducting cutting edge research, advancing critical industries and preparing future generations with new skills and perspectives. Fulbrighters have included 46 heads of state or government, 63 Nobel Laureates, 93 Pulitzer Prize winners, 83 MacArthur Fellows and countless leaders in all sectors and industries across the United States and around the world.
Over the years, the UofM has had more than 50 Fulbright U.S. Scholars.
About the Fulbright Program:
Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S.
Government. The deadline to apply for 2027-2028 Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards is Sept. 15, 2026.
To learn more about Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards and eligibility, please visit: fulbrightscholars.org/
Media Contact:
University Media and Public Relations
University of Memphis
