Fulbright Scholar takes geoscience teaching, research to Poland

Rachel Badali BS ’17, MBA ’22, Marketing & Communications

Marek Matyjasik, chair of Weber State’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, is heading to Warsaw, Poland, after receiving his second Fulbright U.S. Scholar award.

The Fulbright program places awardees in more than 135 countries to teach, conduct research and complete projects. Next spring, Matyjasik will teach courses on water chemistry and water resources at the University of Warsaw, where he also served upon receiving his last award in 2020.

In addition, he will examine how things like remote learning and rapidly advancing artificial intelligence have changed teaching and learning in the country. He’s confident he can apply what he learns to teaching WSU students complex concepts. Most importantly, he said it will help him motivate and prepare the next generation of scientists to tackle and solve some of the planet’s most critical issues.

Matyjasik’s last Fulbright opportunity in Poland was cut short because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though he was able to meet all his goals by working remotely, he felt there was more to accomplish and was inspired to apply again.

“International collaboration is extremely important,” Matyjasik said. “We need to compare thinking to make sure we’re making progress in important areas of education and science.”