Iliya Lefterov, MD, PhD, faculty in the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health’s Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, has been named a 2026-27 Fulbright U.S. Scholar and will travel to Bulgaria for the upcoming academic year.
At the University of Pittsburgh I. Lefterov has studied Alzheimer’s disease since 1997, including APOE, a gene linked to increased risk, and the role of lipid metabolism in the brain. He was selected for the prestigious award, which supports U.S. scholars conducting research, teaching and building partnerships abroad. The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange initiative.
Administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the program fosters collaboration between the United States and more than 160 countries. Since its founding in 1946, nearly 450,000 participants have taken part, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners and global leaders across sectors.
Dr. Lefterov’s selection recognizes his leadership and contributions to the field. As a Fulbright Scholar, he will engage with academic and local communities in Bulgaria, contributing to international knowledge exchange and strengthening global partnerships.
-Clare Collins