Alexandra Tyra

The Award

The Fulbright Postgraduate Award is a Study/Research grant that will fund a one-year master’s degree program in the School of Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Birmingham in Birmingham, UK. 

At Baylor 

Alex is a doctoral candidate in psychology, with an emphasis in behavioral neuroscience. She works in the Baylor Behavioral Medicine Lab, researching stress and health. She is a published author, a Solid Gold Neighbor Research Fellow, a Reynolds Scholarship awardee, and a volunteer at The Cove. She has taught several undergraduate courses. 

Her Future 

Upon her return to the US, Alex plans to finish her Ph.D. in Psychology and apply for a postdoctoral research fellowship in psychophysiology, which will prepare her for a research career in applied health psychology. 

More from Alex

I am currently working towards a Ph.D. in Psychology at Baylor. However, as an aspiring health psychologist, I realize the importance of also obtaining an education in health science. Applying for a Fulbright Award was the appropriate next step in my research career, as it has provided me the opportunity to expand my education by attending one of the top health science programs in the world. I am so excited to not only learn cutting-edge health intervention techniques, but to also experience a culture that is different from my own. I look forward to fully immersing myself in my host country by traveling, trying new foods, and meeting new friends. Additionally, living abroad will allow me to work with vastly different ethnic and religious groups, which is necessary for a health psychologist who is interested in resolving social health disparities. All-in-all, I truly believe that this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will broaden my perspective of world health issues and prepare me to be a more effective interdisciplinary researcher. 

At first, the application process seemed daunting. However, the Office of Engaged Learning was quick to provide a helping hand every step of the way. I never felt alone in the process, as I always had someone I could reach out to for advice and guidance. Not only did they help me determine if the Fulbright was the right fit for me, but they also helped me draft my application materials, with numerous rounds of detailed feedback. And when I was invited for an interview, Drs. Hogue and Benyousky personally helped me prepare by conducting a mock interview. If you are interested in applying for a Fulbright, rest assured that Baylor will help you through every step, providing endless support and resources. I would recommend everyone apply for this award at some point in their life, as the process of applying requires a level of introspection that is as rewarding as the grant itself. Regardless of if you receive the grant or not, you will come out of this experience with a better understanding of who you are currently, and who you want to become. 

I want to emphasize how open I am to having future applicants contact me for advice!