By Kate Kennedy
Office of the Vice President for Research
Two Kansas State University faculty members have been selected for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Shawn Hutchinson, professor of geography and geospatial sciences and co-director of the Institute for Digital Agriculture and Advanced Analytics at K-State, and Ryan Hansen, associate professor of chemical engineering and Wayne and Barbara Harms keystone research scholar, are taking their research abroad to the United Kingdom and Australia, respectively.
“We are proud to have Drs. Hutchinson and Hansen represent K-State abroad through their research and scholarship,” said Hans Coetzee, vice president for research. “Their global engagement not only reflects the excellence of our faculty but also strengthens K-State’s international partnerships and impact.”
In spring 2026, Hutchinson will be hosted by the School of Geography at the University of Nottingham, England. His research will focus on enhancing ecosystem service assessments in grassland environments, applying geospatial technologies to more accurately measure the benefits these landscapes provide, particularly in relation to sustainable land management. Alongside research, Hutchinson will contribute to teaching and work to strengthen institutional partnerships between K-State and the University of Nottingham that leverage both institutions’ expertise in geography, geospatial technologies, agriculture and environmental science.
“Collaborating with scholars at the University of Nottingham will provide invaluable insights into recent advances in ecosystem service modeling and how such research can effectively inform government policy,” Hutchinson said. “Through this program, we will establish collaborations that will advance the fields of geography, environmental science and digital agriculture, while positioning our institutions to compete more effectively for large, multi-institutional international research grants.”
At the University of Technology, Sydney, or UTS, Hansen will conduct his research with collaborating scientists at the Institute for Biomedical Materials and Devices at UTS to develop novel hydrogel materials designed for the targeted delivery of therapeutic bacteria. These hydrogels are intended to treat gastrointestinal cancers through encapsulation and transportation of bacteria to a targeted location for release into diseased tissues. In addition to research, Hansen will conduct guest lectures at the UTS School of Biomedical Engineering, serving as a representative of K-State and aiming to strengthen institutional relationships.
“My research has traditionally focused on environmental applications, so this will open new doors for my research program in the biomedical field,” Hansen said. “I am also very excited to engage in Australian culture, network with other scientists in Australia and teach students at UTS while representing K-State.”
More than 800 individuals teach or conduct research abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program annually. These scholars are faculty, researchers, administrators and established professionals teaching or conducting research in affiliation with institutes abroad. Fulbright Scholars engage in cutting-edge research and expand their professional networks, often continuing research collaborations started abroad and laying the groundwork for forging future partnerships between institutions. Upon returning to their home countries, institutions, labs and classrooms, they share their stories and often become active supporters of international exchange, inviting foreign scholars to campus and encouraging colleagues and students to go abroad.
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