The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is more than just a prestigious scholarship—it's a gateway to international exchange, academic growth, and cultural immersion. Every year, young American scholars, researchers, and professionals embark on life-changing journeys to over 140 countries, pursuing projects that push the boundaries of knowledge while fostering cross-cultural understanding. In this article, we take a closer look at the unique experiences of two Fulbright students, who decided to pursue their fellowship in Germany at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion (MPI CEC): Vivian Guo and Diana Tiburcio.
Vivian Guo: Advancing Sustainable Chemistry
Vivian, a Fulbright Fellow and double major in biochemistry and environmental studies, embarked on her Fulbright journey with clear goals: to immerse herself in her research and explore German culture. “My main goals going into the Fulbright Program are to learn—whether it’s about my research project or German culture and language—and to step out of my comfort circle by engaging with others in Germany,” she shares.
Her research focuses on studying nitrogenases and their role in reducing carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, continuing the work of her advisor’s group at the MPI CEC. She explains, “My project builds off the work of Serena DeBeer’s and Kushal Sengupta’s group, which is focused on studying the reaction mechanism of nitrogenases in the reduction of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.”
But the journey to securing a Fulbright was not without its challenges. Finding the right research advisor was a complex process that required persistence. “The first part of my application process involved finding a research advisor that would support my application and allow me to pursue a research project with them,” Vivian recalls. “I had to reach out to many advisors, and it took a while to receive responses.”
Now in Germany, Vivian believes that the experience will significantly impact her career trajectory. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry at Texas A&M after her fellowship and hopes to continue her work on sustainable energy solutions. "I’m really interested in developing sustainable solutions for the defossilization of our energy systems. I believe that the knowledge and skills I gain during my Fulbright—both the insights from my research and the lab techniques I learn—will help me achieve this goal."
Diana Tiburcio: Pioneering Spectroscopy for Environmental Sustainability
For Diana, the Fulbright Fellowship was the perfect way to combine her academic interests with a long-standing desire to study abroad. "I had known that I wanted to study abroad at some point in my life, but I was unable to do an extended study abroad program during my undergraduate time,” she recalls. After learning more about the Fulbright Program through her university’s fellowship advisor, Diana realized this was the ideal chance to pursue research in a new country while also exploring her interest in sustainability.
Her research at the MPI CEC focuses on potassium-supported catalysts and their role in catalyzing ammonia reformation, which could play a crucial part in developing hydrogen fuel as a clean energy source. “My research project will entail studying potassium-supported catalysts and their ability to catalyze ammonia reformation using X-ray spectroscopy," she explains. By gaining a better understanding of these catalysts, Diana hopes to contribute to reducing reliance on fossil fuels. “I hope that a better understanding of these catalysts can lead to the discovery of an optimal catalyst for ammonia reformation, which could allow hydrogen fuel to replace fossil fuels,” she adds. Her work in that field is an extension of the work of Serena DeBeer, Yves Kayser and Liqun Kang at the MPI CEC.
Diana’s journey to finding a research placement was filled with fortunate connections. A chance encounter with Olivia Mc Cubbin Stepanic, a Ph.D. student at the MPI CEC, led her to Serena DeBeer’s department, where she would eventually carry out her research project. “Out of luck, Olivia came to give a talk at the lab I was working in, and she referred me to Serena DeBeer,” Diana says. During her application process Diana received support and encouragement along the way. "The most challenging part was writing the project proposal since the concepts were very new to me, but Serena was so helpful and patient with me throughout this process.”
Diana is excited about the opportunities for professional and personal growth that the Fulbright experience offers. "It’s an incredible opportunity to fully immerse myself in a different country and meet several other incredible scientists and researchers, which could someday lead to collaborations,” she says. Moreover, being abroad has helped her step out of her comfort zone and meet new people, a valuable skill as she looks ahead to pursuing a Ph.D. in chemical engineering.
Diana’s passion for sustainability and cross-cultural collaboration shines through in her Fulbright experience. She believes international exchange is vital to addressing global challenges: “Actually traveling, seeing, and getting to know different perspectives, and meeting people with whom you can collaborate internationally is the only way that we, as humanity, can begin enacting the change that is needed to address global problems.”
At the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, we are thrilled to welcome Vivian and Diana, two talented Fulbright Fellows, to our team. We wish them both a rewarding and enriching experience during their time in Germany.