Tejada-Simón Appointed Fulbright Specialist to Enhance Teaching Innovation in Central America

July 25 - Before she studied neurons and synapses, Associate Professor of Pharmacology MariVí Tejada-Simón, Ph.D., studied milk. With a master's in dairy industries and engineering from Spain and a master's and Ph.D. in food science and human nutrition from Michigan State University, her academic path began in agriculture—where science meets sustainability, and learning is rooted in "doing."

Decades later, her agricultural roots will take her to Honduras where she has been selected as a Fulbright Specialist by the U.S. Department of State and World Learning to help enhance faculty development and educational innovation at Universidad Zamorano, one of the region's leading agricultural universities.

"The parallels between agricultural and pharmacy education, both centered on science, critical thinking, and community well-being, offer powerful opportunities for cross-disciplinary exchange," Tejada-Simón said. 

During her two-week residency, Tejada-Simón will work closely with Zamorano's faculty and academic leaders on a program designed to strengthen teaching practices, leadership development, and student engagement across Central America. Her keynote presentation, "The Art of Teaching: Nurturing Innovation, Connection and Purpose in Times of Change," will be featured during the university's Forum in Best Practices. Additional workshops will explore topics such as gamification and the purposeful use of artificial intelligence in education.

"My partnership with Zamorano University is especially meaningful because it bridges my passion for transformative education with my academic roots in biology and agricultural sciences," Tejada-Simón said. "It's a return to the foundation that shaped my approach to learning and a step forward in reimagining what higher education can look like."

Although Tejada-Simón's research now focuses on neuropharmacology and cognitive disorders, her interdisciplinary background continues to inform her approach to both science and education. She also holds a master of education from the University of Houston and has received numerous awards for teaching, mentorship, and service. Her pedagogical approach fuses disciplined inquiry with thoughtful engagement, grounded in cultural understanding and genuine respect for her students.

Her selection as a Fulbright Specialist places her among a global network of faculty experts who work to build institutional capacity and foster cross-cultural collaboration. The opportunity marks a natural extension of her career—one shaped by integrating scientific discovery with community-driven education and global collaboration.

"I'm especially inspired by Zamorano’s model, which reflects my belief that leadership and sustainability are not just outcomes, but skills we can intentionally cultivate," Tejada-Simón said. "Through this partnership, we aim to co-create spaces where education is purposeful, participatory, and connected to real-world impact."

— Naqiyah Kantawala