27-05-2025
UT Tyler graduate earns Fulbright fellowship to study pitcher plants in Switzerland
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Recent UT Tyler graduate Colm Conneen of Tyler has been awarded a one-year Fulbright fellowship to do postgraduate research at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland this fall.
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Conneen, who graduated this month from UT Tyler with a bachelor's degree in biology, will go to Switzerland study the microbial microcosms in pitcher plants, a type of carnivorous plant.
'We congratulate Colm, who is a prime example of the excellent students we have in biology who go on to do amazing things,' said UT Tyler College of Arts and Sciences dean Dr. Neil Gray. 'I also want to thank Dr. Joshua Banta for being a tremendous mentor and supporter.'
Banta is a professor of biology at UT Tyler who taught Conneen and worked as his undergraduate faculty research advisor during their research on modeling the ecological niche of the Texas crayfish.
'From the moment he sought me out to work on a computational biology project, he showed a deep curiosity and determination to grow as a scientist,' Banta said. 'Our job at UT Tyler is to nurture and encourage students, and nothing makes us happier than seeing a student take full advantage of that support and then soar.'
Conneen is planning to get his doctorate degree and wants to work in ecological research and network sciences in the academic or industrial sectors. To learn more about the fellowship he received to study abroad, visit the Fulbright U.S. Student Program online.
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