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2017: Dr. Andrei Stanishevsky, Physics

The 2017 Provost’s Award for Faculty Excellence in Education Abroad goes to Dr. Andrei Stanishevsky, Professor in the Department of Physics.

This UAB-wide training program has been funded by the National Science Foundation since 2013 (PI: Prof. Andrei Stanishevsky). It is a project that fosters the training of globally-engaged experts, visionaries, leaders and team builders in the fast-growing nanofiber research and commercial domain as well as in relevant fields. Trainees carry out their summer research projects and gain critical international research, industry, and cultural sensitivity experiences through the collaborative work at several institutions and high-profile labs, joint presentations/publications, social activities, and interactions with diverse international student population at the Technical University of Liberec (Czech Republic), University of Technology of Lodz (Poland) and Aalto University (Espoo, Finland). At all foreign sites, IRES students have broad options to immerse in quickly evolving research ecosystem that stimulates breakthroughs and discoveries as well as offers new opportunities for students to develop passion for exploration and innovation, and courage to influence and excel.

  • Courtney Severino and Riley Yager (IRES’19) are riding horses to the top of Mount Vesuvius, Italy. All IRES trainees receive unforgettable weekend adventures across Europe.

    Courtney Severino and Riley Yager (IRES’19) are riding horses to the top of Mount Vesuvius, Italy.

  • Sarah Nealy (IRES’19) works with middle school kids during the English immersion class in Liberec, Czech Republic.

    Sarah Nealy (IRES’19) works with middle school kids during the English immersion class in Liberec, Czech Republic.

  • IRES’19 team collaborate with Polish students during a joint project-based “Nanoscience” class at University of Technology of Lodz, Poland.

    IRES’19 team collaborate with Polish students during a joint project-based “Nanoscience” class at University of Technology of Lodz, Poland.

  • Hannah Lacy (IRES’18) in the lab at Technical University of Liberec, Czech Republic

    Hannah Lacy (IRES’18) in the lab at Technical University of Liberec, Czech Republic. Hannah is now doing a PhD in the Interdisciplinary Materials Science Program at UAB.

  • Courtney Severino (IRES’18 and team leader of IRES’19) in the lab at Aalto University, Espoo, Finland.

    Courtney Severino (IRES’18 and team leader of IRES’19) in the lab at Aalto University, Espoo, Finland. Courtney is a MSE student and plans to graduate in 2020.

  • Anna Krum, Katrina Hatch and Nick Malia (IRES’17) with their mentor setting up a Guinness record at University of Technology of Lodz, Poland.

    Anna Krum, Katrina Hatch and Nick Malia (IRES’17) with their mentor setting up a Guinness record at University of Technology of Lodz, Poland. Anna is now in BME graduate program in Clemson University, and Katrina is in UAB Medical School.

  • IRES’17 team visiting an engineering lab at University of Technology of Lodz, Poland.

    IRES’17 team visiting an engineering lab at University of Technology of Lodz, Poland.

  • Ashlen Kurre and Katie Paulett (IRES’16) in the lab at Technical University of Liberec, Czech Republic

    Ashlen Kurre and Katie Paulett (IRES’16) in the lab at Technical University of Liberec, Czech Republic. Inspired by IRES, Ashlen entered and completed MS in Physics in Germany, and is now a Data Engineer at Pandata GmbH, Berlin. Katie is now in UAB School of Dentistry.

Over 25 students have participated in IRES since 2013 and have authored/co-authored 11 research papers in peer-reviewed journals, edited two published books of conference abstracts, and made over 60 presentations at various conferences/symposia. Two patent applications have been filed and a start company has been established by former trainees based on broader outcomes of their IRES research.

IRES trainees have freedom to be creative and collaborative across disciplines. They regularly reach out to public, other college students and school kids while exploring Europe and building international cultural competence. This IRES project continues to demonstrate strong growth and currently offers training opportunity to up to nine students per year.

Dr. Stanishevsky has been recognized with the Provost Award for Faculty Excellence in Education Abroad programming for providing research-oriented, career focused Education Abroad programs for STEM field students.

For more information about the IRES Physics study abroad program, contact Dr. Andrei Stanishevsky at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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