Shayna McHugh '05 was featured in The News-Times (Danbury, Conn.) in the article "Budding Scientist from Bethel wins Fulbright scholarship," (5/9/05) about her recent Fulbright scholarship award and upcoming trip to Brazil. The article describes McHugh's invitation to work with a research group in Brazil headed by Robert Berlinck, a prominent natural products chemist at the University of Sao Paulo. McHugh's research is on "stylotella aurantium" – a marine sponge from Guam. At Hamilton she worked with Robin Kinnel, the Silas D. Childs Professor of Chemistry, to find whether chemicals from the sponge could be used to make medicine.
McHugh has studied abroad for a semester in Brazil and also visited there during spring break with Hamilton's Capoeira Club. Kinnel was also interviewed for the article and said "She will always stand out. She has the complete package. She's bright, enthusiastic, successful and she wears her enthusiasm on her coat sleeve."
In the article, McHugh said "I see something that I can pour a lot of passion and effort into, and even if I don't achieve it, I love to try new things. Sure, I'll give it a shot."
The purpose of the Fulbright Program is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries through the exchange of persons, knowledge and skills. The program is designed to give recent college graduates opportunities for personal development and international experience.
