School of Science: Hosts Its First Fulbright Scholar

The School of Science is hosting our first Fulbright U.S. Scholar, Ms Katherine (Katie) Vyhnal from California for an 8-month research attachment starting 6 October 2025. Katie is one of the only five recipients of the worldwide prestigious 2025 Fulbright–National Geographic Award and she will be hosted under the supervision of Dr. Wan Faridah A. Jusoh.

Katie’s field of study is Biology and she graduated from Occidental College. Her previous research projects focused on tropical insect symbiosis and marine leech symbiosis, exploring beneficial interactions between microbes and their animal hosts. She has  also gained valuable experience as a Field Research Assistant at the Galápagos Academic Institute of Arts and Sciences and as a Summer Camp Counselor at The Thacher School.

During her time at the School of Science, Katie will be undertaking a project titled “The Fungus Among Us: Decoding Fungal Parasites and Host Specificity in Zombie Ants”. Her research will delve into the intricate relationship between parasitic Ophiocordyceps fungi and their ant hosts, commonly referred to as zombie ants. Beyond advancing ecological and evolutionary understanding, her work also holds promise for the discovery of new antimicrobial agents from these fungi, with potential applications in future medical advancements. More information about Katie has been published on the National Geographic Explorer Home.

On 14 October 2025, the School has visited the Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange, the administrator of the Fulbright Program. Katie was introduced to the MACEE staff members and were brief by the Fulbright Program Coordinator (American), Leena Rajagopal regarding the expectations under the Fulbright program.