Clemson professor of biological sciences receives Fulbright award

Published: January 27, 2010

Lesly Temesvari image by: Clemson University

CLEMSON — Lesly Temesvari, professor of biological sciences at Clemson University, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to teach and conduct research at the University of Siena in Siena, Italy, according to the United States Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Her grant is from March 1 through June 30, 2010.

“The overall goal of my research is to understand the mechanisms of infection of a parasite that causes dysentery,” said Temesvari. Her research focuses on Entamoeba histolytica, one of the three top parasitic killers worldwide and the cause of amoebic dysentery that infects 50 million people annually. Her research is funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health. 

“At the University of Siena, I will teach a course in research methods,” she said. “The course is targeted to Ph.D. students who are studying at Scuola Superiore Santa Chiara, the graduate school of the University of Siena.”

Temesvari is one of approximately 1,100 U.S. faculty members and professionals who will travel abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Since its establishment in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late Sen. J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the Fulbright Program has provided approximately 286,500 people – 108,160 Americans who have studied, taught or researched abroad and 178,340 students, scholars and teachers from other countries who have engaged in similar activities in the United States. The program operates in more than 155 countries worldwide.

Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields.

For further information about the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, visit http://fulbright.state.gov.

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