Meghan Avolio

Ph.D. student   |   Biological Sciences
Fulbright recipient  |  Bonn, Germany


As I developed my Master's Thesis at Fordham I realized I wanted to do research in Germany, where numerous scientists and labs were focusing on gene expression in ectomycorrhizal fungi.  Ectomycorrhizal fungi form a mutualism with plants, where the fungus gives the plants nutrients and protection from environmental stresses in return for sugars for nutrition from the plant.  I researched options to support a year abroad doing research, and with the support of the GSAS Prestigious Fellowships Office I applied for a Fulbright.  I'm now in Germany and my time here has been a phenomenal professional experience.  Doors are being opened through the scientists and colleagues I've met, and I'm learning new techniques and skills that I otherwise would not have learned in the United States.