Connell School of Nursing Associate Professor Melissa Sutherland has received a Fulbright Award to Chile for spring 2017. Sutherland will be affiliated with Pontificia Universidad Cat—lica de Chile (Pontifical Catholic University of Chile or PUC) in Santiago, where she will teach and conduct research.
Sutherland, who has traveled twice to Ecuador with CSON faculty and students, is excited about the prospect of immersing herself in the culture and healthcare and educational systems of Chile.
"I really have a passion for Hispanic culture, Latin and Central America," said Sutherland. "It's an area of the world and culture that I really appreciate and want to learn more about. While there are interesting Fulbrights to places like Scotland and Sweden, it's not where my heart is."
Sutherland, whose research is at the intersection of interpersonal violence and sexual health, will collaborate with PUC researcher Lilian Ferrer, who studies HIV infection among women and violence connected with HIV infection. Sutherland also will co-teach a course on global public health.
The spirit of the Fulbright program--established to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries -- is something Sutherland takes to heart.
"I don't see the Fulbright being a singular event. I see it as a process that continues. In the best world, I see long-term collaborations and relationships, and hope to identify research opportunities for other faculty or exchanges with undergrads and grad students."
—Kathleen Sullivan| News & Public Affairs