Macquarie University Welcomes Arrival of Two Fulbright Scholars
This prestigious accolade underscores Macquarie University’s commitment to fostering global collaboration and excellence in education and research.
The Fulbright Program, renowned for promoting bilateral research exchange, has awarded scholarships to Professor András Komaromy and Virginia Gilliland, recognising their outstanding achievements and contributions to their fields.
András Komaromy is a Professor of Comparative Ophthalmology at Michigan State University. He brings his research background in vision and ophthalmology to Macquarie University to collaborate on a project to develop an innovative gene therapy treatment for glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible vision loss.
Virginia Gilliland is a recent graduate of Davidson College, North Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology, specialising in Marine Science. Virginia will work with the Marine Ecology Group at Macquarie University, using cutting-edge technologies, including aerial drones and remote underwater vehicles, to understand the effectiveness of zoning on the Great Barrier Reef and better inform marine management and conservation initiatives.
The Fulbright Program is the flagship foreign exchange scholarship program of the US, aimed at increasing binational research collaboration, cultural understanding, and the exchange of ideas.
Professor Sakkie Pretorius, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) expressed the University’s enthusiasm for hosting these Fulbright scholars.
“We are honoured to welcome Professor András Komaromy and Virginia Gilliland to Macquarie University,” he said.
“Their exceptional accomplishments and dedication to advancing knowledge align seamlessly with our commitment to fostering a culture of research excellence and a globally connected academic community.”
The University looks forward to the valuable contributions these scholars will make during their time on campus.
Bright sparks: Virginia Gilliland and Professor András Komaromy have joined Macquarie University as Fulbright scholars.