Zoltan K. Nagy, the Arvind Varma Professor in the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to conduct research in Italy during the Fall 2025 semester. He also was recently elected as an External Member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA), one of the highest scholarly honors bestowed by Hungary's premier scientific institution.

Nagy will spend three months at the Politecnico di Torino working on “AI-Driven Crystal Engineering,” and will explore how advanced computer modeling and artificial intelligence can improve the way crystals are manufactured — not just for medicines, but also for foods and nutritional products. By teaming up with leading Italian researchers, Nagy hopes to make crystal-based processes faster, more sustainable, and reliable.

“I’m thrilled to be able to visit Italy, a country with outstanding science and culture,” Nagy said. “This Fulbright award gives me the chance to strengthen collaborations with colleagues in Torino, Milan and Padova, and to bring new ideas home to Purdue and the U.S. scientific community.”

Nagy is widely recognized for his work on digital design of crystallization and leads Purdue’s Crystallization and Particle Technology Systems Engineering Group (CryPTSys). His Fulbright project will also advance AI applications in crystallization science and data sharing and collaboration with scientists worldwide.

The Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange initiative, is one of the most competitive fellowship programs in the world. Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards enable distinguished U.S. faculty and professionals to engage in research, teaching and cultural exchange abroad, fostering greater mutual understanding between the United States and other nations.

Fulbright U.S. Scholars are faculty, researchers, administrators and professionals who teach, conduct research and build international networks in affiliation with institutes abroad. Upon returning to their home institutions, they share their experiences and often mentor colleagues and students to engage in international exchange.

Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 400,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals with opportunities to study, teach and conduct research abroad, exchange ideas and address complex global challenges. Fulbright alumni include 62 Nobel Laureates, 93 Pulitzer Prize winners, 82 MacArthur Fellows and 44 heads of state or government, as well as leaders across many sectors.

Each year, over 800 U.S. faculty and professionals teach or conduct research abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, while more than 2,000 participants in the Fulbright U.S. Student Program — recent graduates, graduate students and early career professionals — engage in study/research exchanges or serve as English teaching assistants.