Scholarship Granted to New Mexico University Teacher Through Fulbright Program
Biochemistry Professor Erik Yukl Awarded Fulbright Scholarship for Research in Argentina
Erik Yukl, a biochemistry professor at New Mexico State University, has been granted a Fulbright U.S. scholarship. This prestigious award supports research and teaching abroad, as well as cultural exchange, and is one of several educational and cultural exchange programs receiving funding.
Yukl completed his doctorate in biochemistry and molecular biology at Oregon Health and Science University in 2009. He joined New Mexico State University's faculty in 2013 and has since served as graduate program coordinator for his department.
Yukl's research area is the movement of proteins, with a focus on developing new antibiotics for drug-resistant bacteria. He is part of a team that has been funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop antibiotics using substances that disrupt zinc ion-transporting proteins.
For the next three months, Yukl will be spending his time at the Leloir Institute in Argentina. His research activities at the institute will not be limited to his field of biochemistry. He will use nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in his research, a technique that allows for the detailed study of molecules in solution.
The Fulbright program offers opportunities for U.S. researchers to live in foreign countries for several months, encouraging interaction between people from different cultures. Yukl's Fulbright scholarship includes opportunities for mutual understanding and appreciation between cultures.
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar program awards hundreds of grants annually for U.S. researchers to study or teach abroad and for foreign scholars to visit the United States. In addition, the program provides outstanding training opportunities within various fields.
The Fulbright program is funded by a draft appropriations bill, with at least $287.8 million allocated to the program. Despite previous proposed budget cuts, the Fulbright Program received $288 million in FY 2026 funding support, indicating ongoing support for the program’s mission.
Historical records and recent award announcements confirm that U.S. scholars continued to receive Fulbright awards for academic years including 2025–2026, reflecting continued program operation and funding stability since 2021.
Yukl is looking forward to gaining cultural experience during his stay in Argentina. He will return to New Mexico State University with new insights and ideas, ready to continue his research and inspire the next generation of scientists.
[1] Fulbright Association. (2021). Fulbright Program Funding. Retrieved from https://www.fulbright.org/about/our-impact/fulbright-program-funding
[2] Fulbright U.S. Student Program. (2021). Awards. Retrieved from https://us.fulbrightonline.org/program/us-student-program/awards
[3] Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. (2021). Awards. Retrieved from https://us.fulbrightonline.org/program/us-scholar-program/awards
[4] U.S. Department of State. (2021). Fulbright Program. Retrieved from https://exchangesus.state.gov/fulbright/fulbright-program/
- Erik Yukl's field of study, biochemistry, is not limited to his research activities at the Leloir Institute in Argentina, as he will also use nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, a technique commonly used in science and healthcare-and-wellness.
- Yukl's Fulbright scholarship offers opportunities for mutual understanding and appreciation between cultures, aligning with the mission of education-and-self-development and the broader goal of fostering business relationships and cooperation on a global level.
- The Fulbright U.S. Scholar program provides outstanding training opportunities within various fields, from science and technology to health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and therapies-and-treatments.
- Prof. Yukl's research on developing new antibiotics for drug-resistant bacteria contributes to the advancement in the medical field, which is closely related to the fields of education, science, and health.
- Following his stay in Argentina, Yukl will return to New Mexico State University with new insights and ideas, contributing to education-and-self-development and inspiring future students in the realm of education, science, and research.
- The Fulbright program has been receiving ongoing funding and strong support from the government, suggesting growth and development in the fields of education, science, technology, and business, both in the United States and abroad.
