My Fulbright journey has just been completed by receiving a Master’s degree in Clinical and Translational Research at the University of Connecticut. This privileged experience with the Fulbright Program has enabled me to look at the world of medicine from a whole new perspective, innovation from fundamental science discovery to translational application. It has been a challenging but also an exciting chapter in my life, not solely for its educational value but also for all the great personal experiences and the amazing people I met during this period that have helped me to transform from what I was before and reach new horizons. I was transformed as a scientist, working out of my comfort zone to focus on forming new connections between basic science and medicine that added a lot to my professional advancement. This master’s program has prepared me with the academic and research skills needed to be an independent researcher. I learned advanced techniques, implemented different thinking methods and new approaches to answers questions in science and medicine.
“Explore. Discover. Treat. Cure. Teach. Repeat” are the welcoming words of the Connecticut Convergence Institute for Translation in Regenerative Engineering at UConn Health. This simple but profound concept is what I have added to my life. I am thrilled to be mentored by Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, a world leader in biomaterials, polymeric materials science, nanotechnology, stem cell science, drug delivery systems, and regenerative engineering. He is the first surgeon to be elected for the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Inventors. I cannot put into words the nurturing and stimulating environment I have been surrounded by. I have met so many wonderful and helpful people in the Connecticut Convergence Institute who have welcomed and supported me. Thanks to Dr. Cato T. Laurencin and all the Connecticut Convergence Institute team for the unconditional support and thanks to Fulbright for giving me this opportunity.
I am grateful and extremely proud of all my accomplishments during my master’s, which are made possible through the support of the Fulbright grant. Being a Fulbrighter, it’s an honor that I will be proud of all the rest of my life, and hopefully, this will be just the beginning of an ongoing academic, cultural exchange cooperation.
Samrin Habbani – Fulbright to USA 2019
