SUNY Old Westbury is pleased to announce that Sarah Sadik '19 has received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award for the 2022-23 academic year from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Sadik, the first Fulbright Scholar in SUNY Old Westbury history, will study and conduct research in Mauritius, a small island nation off the East coast of Africa.
"We are so proud of Sarah for earning a Fulbright award, and that Old Westbury played a role in her research interests and endeavors," said SUNY Old Westbury President Timothy E. Sams. "Sarah was an exceptional student who embodied the Old Westbury mission of 'building a more just world' and we're excited to see her excellence, and that of her education, be recognized in this way. I hope to welcome her back to campus after her Fulbright experience so she can help other students realize the global reach they can have."
Sadik, a 2019 Biological Sciences graduate, will do field research to identify the current implementation of preventative medicine to address and recognize Intimate-Partner Violence (IPV) in Mauritian Community Health Centers. She has already partnered with various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) within Mauritius to gain access to shelters supporting women and children impacted by IPV.
Following this research, Sadik will shadow medical professional during patient interactions to identify standard screening procedures in both city and rural settings and assess the care in the contrasting communities. Her goal is to develop guided interview questions, and screening recommendations for medical professionals to use in the future.
A resident of Malverne, New York, Sadik was an active member of SUNY Old Westbury's Honors College, Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), and WiSE - Women in Science and Engineering student organization. She was profiled in the #OWmade My Day video series during her time at the College. She credits her work with Dr. Manya Mascareno of Biological Sciences, Dr. Sarah Smith of Public Health, and Dr. Rachel Kalish of Sociology for helping her earn this Fulbright scholarship.
The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program and is designed to build lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Since its establishment in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the Fulbright Program has given more than 390,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds and fields the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. Fulbrighters address critical global challenges in all disciplines while building relationships, knowledge, and leadership in support of the long-term interests of the United States.