JD Mendez, an associate professor of chemistry at Indiana University Columbus, is no stranger to the transformative power of global experiences. Specializing in chitin - a naturally occurring biopolymer found in the shells of crustaceans, the exoskeletons of insects and the cell walls of fungi - Mendez also focuses on chemical education, particularly the ways 3D printing and gamification can enrich students' understanding.
To expand his expertise and bring new insights back to his students, he applied for and completed two prestigious Fulbright fellowships, one in Estonia in 2018 and another in Slovakia in 2023. Each Fulbright experience offered him opportunities to collaborate internationally, explore novel research avenues and bring new perspectives into his work at IU Columbus.
IU Columbus faculty member JD Mendez completed a second Fulbright at the Slovak Academy of Sciences in 2023. Photo courtesy of JD Mendez
The Fulbright Program offers academics the unique chance to develop international connections, exchange ideas and gain new perspectives. Mendez's first Fulbright placement was in Estonia, a hub of mycological research.
At Tallinn University of Technology, he not only strengthened his expertise in chitin research using Estonian mushrooms, but he also established connections that led to a study abroad program for IU students. This sustained partnership inspired him to consider applying for a second Fulbright as soon as he was eligible.
In 2023, he seized the chance for a second Fulbright at the Slovak Academy of Sciences, focusing on a project that combined his chitin research with advanced 3D-printing techniques. A collaborator in Bratislava who was eager to experiment with new materials made it the ideal setting for advancing this research. While abroad, he explored chitin's potential applications in bioprinting, such as creating custom frameworks for medical devices.
Recognizing the high cost of traditional bioprinting, his work aimed to make the technology more accessible by using clay 3D printers and naturally occurring biopolymers, like chitin, instead of synthetic plastics. While clay presents unique challenges compared to plastics, this innovative approach could significantly reduce costs, broadening the potential applications of bioprinting. Mendez said the project remains a work in progress.
While both Fulbright experiences brought him to Europe, they offered quite different environments. Estonia provided a familiar university teaching environment, surrounded by students and academics, while in Slovakia he was immersed in a research-focused institution where he collaborated with researchers.
During his 2018 Fulbright at Tallinn University of Technology, JD Mendez strengthened his expertise in chitin research using Estonian mushrooms and established connections that led to a study abroad program for IU students. Photo courtesy of JD Mendez
Mendez said the working conditions were also different. People in Slovakia had different approaches because they weren't always focused on students like one would see at universities. However, the research practices were quite similar.
Looking back, Mendez said he sees his time abroad as a series of stepping stones, each bringing him closer to his professional goals. During his first Fulbright, he said he was overly ambitious about what he could accomplish within a single term. But over time, he came to appreciate Fulbright's broader purpose, understanding that its true value lies in building relationships that extend beyond a single semester or research project.
"That's the nice thing about these Fulbrights," he said. "It's not just you working while you're there. The real goal is to have long-term relationships that can expand into something more than just five or six months in a location. I'm still publishing papers with my contact in Estonia even after six years; just recently the third manuscript was published."
Mendez said his Fulbright experience has drastically affected everything he does. His current research projects are directly tied to what he was working on with his international collaborators. His work in Estonia also inspired him to incorporate study abroad programs into his teaching, enabling his students to engage in international research there.
"I fully expect to do the same thing in Slovakia," he said, expressing his hope that IU students will eventually travel to Bratislava, and Slovakian students will come to IU Columbus. Through these programs, undergraduates gain the rare chance to work on projects often reserved for Ph.D. students, making the experience both unique and career-defining.
Mendez said he is eager to continue pursuing research at IU Columbus that aligns with his interests and deepens the international collaborations he has established. He encourages other faculty members to consider applying for a Fulbright program, emphasizing the unique benefits and recognition it brings to a career.
"It constantly surprises me how impressed people are by Fulbright," Mendez said, emphasizing the lasting professional recognition that comes with the award. He said Fulbright has been a bridge, connecting continents and building collaborations that will continue to enrich his research, his career and his students' education, as well.
