Global Fellows Final Symposium Highlights International Research Proposals and Next Steps at UF
The University of Florida International Center (UFIC) convened its 2026 Global Fellows Program Final Symposium at the Reitz Union, bringing together faculty from across disciplines to present and refine their international research proposals. The event marked the culmination of a semester-long program designed to help UF faculty launch and advance global research agendas.
The event featured 18 early-career faculty fellows presenting their international research proposals, each backed by a $5,000 seed grant for activities such as fieldwork and partner meetings. Using a Three Minute Thesis (3MT) format, fellows distilled their projects into a single slide and a three-minute pitch, highlighting the significance, methodology, and global relevance of their work, as well as how the program helped sharpen their plans.
Representing nine colleges, along with the UF Libraries and the Florida Museum of Natural History (FLMNH), the cohort advanced projects spanning 19 countries across six continents, including key regions such as Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Together, their work reflects the breadth of UF’s interdisciplinary research portfolio and the growing importance of global collaboration in addressing complex, cross-border challenges.
Expert Panel – Building Capacity for International Research
Following the presentations, the symposium transitioned to a panel discussion titled “Insights and Strategies for Successful International Research.” Moderated by Aghane (Agnes) Antunes, Ph.D. coordinator of the Global Fellows Program, the panel focused on how to move from early-stage ideas to sustainable, fundable research.
Panelists included Gloria Kim, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Engineering Education and Assistant Director of Partnerships at the Florida Semiconductor Institute; Steve Sargent, Ph.D., Professor and Associate Chair in Horticultural Sciences; Greg MacDonald, Ph.D., Professor of Agronomy; Pilar Useche, Ph.D., Professor of Food and Resource Economics and Interim Director of the Tropical Conservation and Development (TCD) Program; Marit Ostebo, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Anthropology and a 2016 Global Fellow (inaugural cohort); Christopher Anthony, Ph.D., Associate Professor of School Psychology and a 2024 Global Fellow; and Samuel Martins, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology and a 2024 Global Fellow.
The discussion explored both the challenges and opportunities of international research, emphasizing that funding should be approached as a strategic progression. Early-stage programs and seed funding, such as the Global Fellows Program, play a critical role in positioning projects for larger grants. Programs like the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program were highlighted as natural next steps, particularly when partnerships are already established. These pathways can support feasibility testing, refinement of research questions with local collaborators, and preparation for competitive, externally funded projects with an international scope.
Equally important is the development of strong international partnerships. Sustained engagement, reciprocity, and a clear understanding of local research contexts, including funding structures and institutional dynamics in partner countries, can significantly strengthen a project’s competitiveness.
Framed as a working session on how to move from ideas to competitive proposals, the conversation emphasized the importance of clear positioning—articulating why a project must be international and how it advances both disciplinary knowledge and global impact. Early alignment with the priorities of agencies such as NSF, foundations, and international partners was identified as essential, alongside interdisciplinary approaches to addressing complex global challenges. Together, these insights reinforced the program’s role in preparing faculty to develop internationally engaged research that is both competitive and impactful.
The Structure Behind the Program
The symposium marked the close of a semester-long program that included orientation, six targeted workshops, and ongoing mentorship. Rather than an endpoint, the event signaled a transition to the next stage of each fellow’s work.
The cohort reflected UF’s global reach: Julie Brown (College of Education) with work in Italy; Mysha Clarke in Jamaica; Sugandh Gupta in India; Eugyoung Han in Singapore; Yohan Kim in South Korea and Japan; Robert Lamb in Ecuador; Emma MacKie in Germany; Won-Ki Moon in South Korea; Patrick Musgrave in Poland; Lindsey Rodriguez in Australia and Canada; Jose Rolando in Peru; Francisca Javiera Rudolph in Ecuador and Chile; Vaughn Shirey across Portugal, the UK, France, and Italy; Carlos Alberto Silva in Portugal; Augusto Soledade in Nigeria; Ho Yi Wan in Japan; Di Yang in Ecuador and Guatemala; and Edwin Marte Zorrilla in Mexico.
The program combines seed funding to support early-stage international research activities, including exploratory fieldwork, partner engagement, data collection, and access to specialized resources beyond UF. Complementing this support is a structured series of workshops and guided interactions designed to strengthen research strategy, navigate compliance, and build durable international collaborations.
For Global Fellow Robert Lamb, Assistant Professor at the Nature Coast Biological Station, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS/IFAS), the program offered a broader understanding of how to navigate and leverage UF’s international research ecosystem. “By connecting with deans, the UF International Center, individual departments, and administrative offices, I gained a new high-level view of the international research ecosystem. I learned what to do (and more importantly, what not to do!) and also gained insight into funding and networking opportunities outside of UF. What I did not expect was how tight-knit of a group our global fellows cohort became. I feel honored and fortunate to be part of such an inspiring and innovative group of people who have chosen to extend themselves beyond our national borders to create international collaborations with reciprocal benefit.”
This year’s cohort was supported by key institutional partners, including the UF/IFAS Global Food Systems Institute (GFSI), the Florida Climate Institute (FCI), and the UF/IFAS Center for Remote Sensing (CRS), reflecting UF’s broader commitment to advancing its international research footprint.
What Comes Next
With the symposium complete, fellows now move into implementation. Many will travel to engage directly with collaborators, advance data collection, and deepen partnerships initiated through the program. Others are already preparing proposals for larger external grants, building on the strategies and feedback developed over the semester.
“The program has been instrumental in expanding my international research network and advancing new collaborations. As part of the program, each fellow is paired with a mentor, and I was fortunate to work with Dr. Vanessa Hull, whose guidance and support were invaluable. Through her mentorship, I established a meaningful connection with colleagues at Kyoto University and will be traveling there to further internationalize my Spatchat AI platform for streamlining the research pipeline. This experience has significantly accelerated both the scope and global impact of my work,” commented Global Fellow Ho Yi Wan, Associate Professor in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (WEC), College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS)/IFAS.
In this context, the Final Symposium serves as a launch point. The ideas presented are now positioned to evolve into sustained research initiatives, competitive external funding, and long-term international collaboration.
The UF International Center extends its appreciation to the fellows, panelists, mentors, and partners who contributed to this year’s program. The final symposium reflects the program’s central goal: supporting faculty as they move from ideas to strategy, and from seed funding to externally funded international research.
For more information, visit the Global Fellows page.