Alex Houck, a senior, has received a 2014–2015 Fulbright International Scholarship to Spain.
The Fulbright Program is a national education exchange program that offers graduating seniors, seniors, graduate students, and alumni the opportunity to pursue research interests or teaching opportunities in one of more than 155 countries around the world.
“I believe this opportunity will be integral to my future. Namely, I aim to understand Alzheimer’s disease better on both a molecular and clinical level, and I will have contributed to research that could lead to potential therapies,” said Houck, of Knoxville, who is studying neuropathology and neurolinguistics in the College Scholars Program. “I also hope to have mastered Spanish through nine months of immersion. All of these will be crucial in my goal of becoming a practicing and research-oriented neurologist in a Spanish-speaking community.”
For his research project, Houck will assist in molecular neurobiological research in Madrid, Spain, analyzing proteins in the brains of mice to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease. He also will take intensive Spanish courses and volunteer at a university teaching hospital.
Houck, who graduated from Farragut High School in 2010, is the founding co-president of UT’s Neuroscience Club, a science research editor for Pursuit undergraduate research journal and a board member of the Issues Committee. In addition to his work at UT, Houck volunteers at the Cole Neuroscience Center, where he administers cognitive tests to patients with suspected cases of dementia.
The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the US government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the United States and the people of other countries. Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement as well as demonstrated leadership in their fields. An estimated 310,000 individuals have participated in Fulbright programs since its start in 1946.
For more information about the Fulbright US Student Program and other national scholarship and fellowship opportunities, contact UT’s Office of National Scholarships and Fellowships at onsf@utk.edu or visit onsf.utk.edu.
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CONTACT:
Amy Blakely (865-974-5034, ablakely@utk.edu)