The number of Spider Fulbright Scholars keeps growing! A third faculty number has joined­ the ranks of Richmond professors and students to receive the prestigious grant.

de Sá

University of Richmond biology professor and frog research pioneer Rafael de Sá won a Fulbright Scholar Fellowship for amphibian biodiversity research in Colombia. His award marks the third faculty Fulbright grant this year.

In Colombia, de Sá will focus on the Leptodactylus species, commonly called ditch frogs.

“My research project will effectively link genetic studies, biodiversity analyses, and development of conservation policies,” de Sá explains. “With about one-third of frogs listed as endangered, anything we can do to continue to study frogs is paramount in influencing bio-conservation efforts and policies.”

He’s also no stranger to research with great impact. De Sá recently led a National Science Foundation-funded project that resulted in the discovery of three new frog species in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. He has taught in Richmond’s School of Arts and Sciences since 1992 and previously held a Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

De Sá is currently teaching and researching at the Universidad Nacional in Bogotá as a guest scholar, and he’ll return to Bogotá for the summer of 2018 as part of this award.

Congratulations, Dr. de Sá! We know you’ll represent us well and we’re excited to hear about the discoveries from your upcoming research.