Dedication, passion and providence lead Liberty’s first Fulbright Future Scholar to Australia

Luis Quijano is one of those students who, when he has a goal in mind, does not let anything get in the way of achieving it. His determination to receive a Fulbright scholarship, even after multiple attempts, was not deterred, and the results have proven to be well worth the effort.

Last month, Quijano was awarded the Fulbright Future Scholarship, making him one of the first students to be named as finalist in the new prestigious academic research award. The Scholarship will assist with tuition, fees, and living expenses while Quijano pursues his Ph.D. at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Australia.

“I will be continuing the research I began while at Liberty University, developing bacterial cellulose as a leather alternative for the fashion industry,” said Quijano, who has been featured in the Washington Post for his innovative work in this field. “I’ll be working with the QUT Faculty of Creative Industries, the School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, the Institute of Future Environments, and the State Library of Queensland.”

The Australian-American Fulbright Commission created the scholarship to support projects that have a positive impact on the health, prosperity, and livelihoods of Americans and Australians. The scholarship supports projects that “seek to advance cutting-edge applied science, kick start innovative business collaborations that foster the creation of new jobs, or further the development on impact-driven emergent technologies.”

Quijano said his research perfectly fits within these parameters.

“My research with bacterial cellulose is very future-oriented — creating a fashion industry that features eco-friendly materials creating no waste. “

The Fulbright scholarship covers two years of his three-year Ph.D. program, and Quijano secured two additional scholarships from QUT to cover the financial gap.

Quijano said the Fulbright application process was one filled with both challenges and opportunities. He was previously a semifinalist for the Australian Open Study/Research Award during the Fulbright 2018-19 cycle, but was not selected as a finalist. “I kept on building my research profile and applying for other grants and scholarships because I am passionate about continuing my research with bacterial cellulose.”

Even though he received five more rejections from other scholarships during this time, his tenacity eventually paid off.

“When I decided to re-apply this cycle, I noticed Australia opened a new scholarship named the Fulbright Future Scholarship. Reading the description for the award, I was shocked because I felt like this was the scholarship I had always been waiting for,” he said.

Dean Robert Hurt of the Helms School of Government said that in addition to being the first LU scholar to be chosen for the scholarship, he was also the first recipient of the LU Provost Award for Research Excellence (PARE). “PARE was created and is supported by Liberty to encourage future Fulbright applications,” he said. “Luis is the first PARE recipient who then successfully went on to be named a Fulbright Scholar.”

Luis believes The PARE award opened the door to the opportunities that ultimately led to his future work at QUT.

“The PARE allowed me to build connections with the professionals developing bacterial cellulose as a textile in Australia and made me realize that I wanted to pursue my Ph.D. at QUT.”

Quijano is currently teaching English in Thailand and is awaiting the lifting of COVID-19 travel bans so he can begin his Ph.D. studies in Australia.

“I look forward to my next steps and representing Liberty University as well as the Fulbright program as an international ambassador,” he said. “This wouldn’t be possible without the immense help and guidance from Liberty University, and I want to express my deepest gratitude for all the support.”

Quijano said he first came to Liberty in 2013 for College for a Weekend (CFAW).

“One aspect that attracted me on that first visit was realizing how nurturing the professors were,” he said. “I truly felt as if Liberty was the right place for me to grow and that I had to study there. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I loved how every professor I encountered truly cared for their students and their success.”

“I first met Luis in 2014 when he was a 16-year-old freshman and I’ve been amazed at his academic accomplishments ever since,” said Dr. Jim Nutter, Director, Liberty University Honors Program. “He graduated from our Honors Program in 2018 with a degree in Fashion Design and I am thrilled that as an Honors Program alumnus he was selected as a Fulbright Finalist.”

“Dr. Edna Udobong, associate professor and Fulbright Program Advisor and Scholar Liaison, said “We are proud of Luis’ accomplishments as Liberty’s first-ever student recipient of the Fulbright Research/Study grant. He worked hard and received a well-deserved reward. Luis is a great example of what happens when you keep your focus on Jesus Christ who makes all things possible.”

The Liberty Fulbright Scholarships & Study Grants program is administered through the office of Dean Robert Hurt of the Helms School of Government (HSOG) and is supervised by the Office of the Provost.

Application for the 2021-2022 grant is now open. To learn more about the application process, visit the Fulbright website or contact Edna Udobong at eudobong3@liberty.edu .”