Morgan State Matches Decade Record with New 2025/26 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awardees

Dr. Valerie Odero-Marah and Professor Betty Torrell Pursuing Semester-long International Research, Strengthening Morgan’s Global Impact and Scholarly Legacy

BALTIMORE — In advancement of Morgan State University’s 10-year strategic plan emphasizing international scholarship, global awareness and study abroad, two faculty members—Valerie Odero-Marah, Ph.D., professor of biology in the School of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (SCMNS), and Betty Torrell, associate professor of interior design at the School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P)—have been awarded the distinguished Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award for the 2025–2026 academic year.

The awards, which support semester-long, research-intensive projects abroad, bring Morgan’s total Fulbright Scholar Awards for the 2025–26 cycle to four, matching the University’s all-time annual record first set in 2014.

“Morgan’s growing presence in the Fulbright community underscores our commitment to scholarship that bridges borders, deepens cultural understanding and drives meaningful impact,” said Hongtao Yu, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at Morgan. “Dr. Odero-Marah and Professor Torrell embody the excellence and global vision that drive our Morgan faculty and define our institution.”

Dr. Odero-Marah will conduct collaborative research at the University of Nairobi in Kenya, examining the biological links between social isolation and cancer progression. Her internationally recognized lab investigates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in breast and prostate cancer, the role of bone and nervous system microenvironments in metastasis, and potential natural product interventions such as muscadine grape skin extract. As co-leader of a working group within the African Caribbean Cancer Consortium (AC3), she will expand investigative work to address cancer health disparities in populations of African descent. Among the research efforts engaged during the Fulbright intensive will be the AC3 Pfizer-funded study, which examines how social determinants of health and genetics influence breast and prostate cancer outcomes among people of African descent in the U.S., the Caribbean, and Africa.

In addition to research, Dr. Odero-Marah will explore new pedagogy with host faculty Dr. Marianne Mureithi, chair of Immunology and Microbiology and director of the Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative—Institute of Clinical Research (KAVI-ICR). In Kenya, Dr. Odero-Marah will also help update the graduate curriculum and integrate research ethics, preparing the next generation of scientists for success.

“Through this Fulbright experience, I aim to strengthen the bridge between African and U.S. institutions, inspire future scientists, and foster discoveries that improve cancer outcomes for communities globally,” said Dr. Odero-Marah. “This work not only advances global understanding of cancer's social and biological drivers but will also benefit Morgan by creating new international research pathways, student exchange opportunities, and cross-continental mentoring networks.”

Professor Torrell will spend Fall 2025 at RISEBA University Faculty of Art and Design in Riga, Latvia, teaching and conducting research through her project, “The Transformational Pedagogy of Astra Zarina: Agency, Identity, and Cultural Context in Design Education.” Drawing on her expertise in adaptive reuse and historic preservation, Torrell will lead an undergraduate design studio, teach a graduate seminar on material culture, and collaborate with Latvian faculty to foster curriculum innovation.

The cornerstone of Torrell’s instruction will be rooted in meticulously integrating Morgan’s priorities of student success, intercultural competence, and social responsibility in design education with the innovative teaching approach of University of Washington Professor Emerita Astra Zarina, with particular attention to its relevance within Latvia’s cultural environment and modern architectural pedagogy. The program emphasizes a 70% focus on teaching and 30% on research, with objectives including a student-authored design studio publication and ongoing research on the cultural foundations of design education.

“This award represents the culmination of years documenting Zarina's pedagogical brilliance—a chance to honor her legacy while advancing Morgan State’s global reach,” said Prof. Torell.  “It validates my commitment to student agency in design education and strengthens the intercultural connections that Zarina herself embodied throughout her remarkable career.”

The collective work of Dr. Odero-Marah and Prof. Torell, as faculty researchers within an international milieu, underpins two critical university objectives. Morgan’s strategic priorities include faculty ascendency, global engagement, and the pursuit of R1 “very high” research status.

Morgan has firmly established itself as a leading producer of globally engaged scholars, earning 35 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards to date. This achievement underscores the University’s commitment to academic excellence and international engagement.

Earlier this year, two distinguished faculty members—Oscar Barton, Jr., Ph.D., professor and dean of the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. School of Engineering, and Thurman L. Bridges, Ph.D., chair and associate professor in the School of Education and Urban Studies—were honored with Fulbright U.S. International Education Administrators (IEA) awards. Their selection reflects Morgan’s growing influence in shaping global academic partnerships and perspectives.

 “Morgan State’s new Fulbright leave policy is one of the most supportive among R1 and R2 institutions,” said Megan DeVirgilis, Ph.D., director of the Fulbright Program and associate professor of Spanish. “I encourage all eligible faculty and administrators to consider applying for these prestigious awards so they may enhance their research and teaching, expand their professional network, and enrich their academic journeys through new cultural and global pathways.”

Over the years, Morgan has built one of the most accomplished networks of Fulbright alumni, solidifying its status as a national leader among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in producing Fulbright scholars. Last fall, the University was named a Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader for the fifth consecutive year by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs—a testament to Morgan’s sustained excellence and impact.

In total, Morgan has produced 67 U.S. Student Awards, alongside its five Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards, three Fulbright Specialist Awards, and eight Fulbright-Hays Awards. Together, these achievements speak to a legacy of academic distinction and a forward-looking vision that continues to expand the University’s global reach.

Administered by the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright Program is the nation’s premier international educational exchange program. It fosters academic collaboration and advances mutual understanding between the United States and more than 140 countries.

For more information about Morgan’s Fulbright Program or to apply, please contact Dr. DeVirgilis at megan.devigilis@morgan.edu.

About Morgan

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 academic degree and certificate programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

# # #

Media Contacts:

Larry Jones, Dell Jackson, or Cheryl Stewart for Morgan State University PR
443-885-3022