Brooklyn College is proud to announce that Chemistry Professor Stephen Sangster has been selected as the Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence for the 2025–26 academic year. Sangster, a faculty member in the Science Department at the University of Belize, will be part of the campus community through June 2026. 

Sangster will collaborate closely with Associate Professor Rebecca Boger, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. Boger, an expert in geospatial technologies, marine science, and science education, will serve as the campus host for the Fulbright program. 

“Brooklyn College is honored to host Professor Sangster and benefit from his global perspective, particularly on issues facing small-island developing states, international chemical agreements, and innovative approaches to environmental education,” Boger said. “We are thrilled to have him on campus engaging with our students and faculty.” 

Sangster brings a wealth of expertise in environmental science, particularly in the synthesis of potentially biodegradable polymers. He was nominated to the Chemical Review Committee of the Rotterdam Convention in 2023 and currently serves as Belize’s national counterpart for microplastics projects supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency. His work focuses on advancing environmental science education and fostering community engagement in environmental research in Belize. 

As part of his residency, Sangster will: 

  • teach undergraduate courses in environmental science during the spring 2026 semester; 
  • co-lead the Earth and Environmental Sciences colloquium this fall; 
  • engage in interdisciplinary collaboration with faculty from the Earth and Environmental Sciences and Economics departments, the Urban Sustainability program, the Aquatic Research and Environmental Assessment Center, the Science and Resilience Institute at Jamaica Bay, and the Advanced Science Research Center at the CUNY Graduate Center; 
  • participate in guest lectures and community outreach activities; and 
  • explore long-term research and education partnerships across departments. 

The Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program, part of the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, supports U.S. institutions in hosting international scholars who enrich academic programs and foster cross-cultural understanding. Sangster is one of only 25 scholars selected nationwide for the 2025–26 cycle. 

Since its founding in 1946, the Fulbright Program has supported nearly 450,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals in international exchange. Fulbright alumni include 62 Nobel Laureates, 93 Pulitzer Prize winners, and 44 heads of state or government.