UNG has two Fulbright Canada award recipients

Two University of North Georgia (UNG) students have been named 2025-26 Fulbright Canada-Mitacs Globalink research interns and will head to Canada in May.

Micah Chandler is a junior from Cumming, Georgia, pursuing a degree in mathematics and a minor in physics. He will be working at the University of Alberta under Dr. Paul Myers, analyzing high-resolution to very high-resolution ocean general circulation models in the Labrador Sea.

"My goal is to become a physical oceanographer studying how ice melts in the subpolar North Atlantic influences broader Atlantic circulation. Because this region lies at high latitudes, much of the forefront research — and many of the opportunities to study it — are based in northern countries such as Canada," Chandler said. "Opportunities to work directly in such a specialized area of oceanography are rare, particularly for a mathematics student. The Fulbright Canada-Mitacs Globalink Research Internship provides a unique opportunity to pursue this focus while preparing for graduate-level research."

The work he plans to do extends his prior research with Dr. Jeffrey Landgren at UNG, where he investigated freshwater flux in the subpolar North Atlantic. That experience, Chandler said, not only shaped his research direction but also distinguished him to his mentor at the University of Alberta, allowing him to continue and expand this line of inquiry.

Meanwhile, Piper Spraker, a senior from Dahlonega, Georgia, departs May 8 for Canada. Spraker is a senior pursuing degrees in musical arts and physics and a minor in mathematics. 

Spraker said she was motivated to apply for the opportunity because it relates to her current research on white dwarf stars.

"One of my primary motivations for applying was to experience high-level astrophysics research as I hope to pursue a Ph.D. in stellar astrophysics after I graduate," Spraker said. "I also wanted to explore the world and live outside of the country for the first time, and the internship provides me with that opportunity. To put it simply, I love research, so I don't think there's anything else I'd rather spend my summer break doing. I'm excited to observe the stars, write code, engage with and educate the community about astronomy, and help to push the field of astrophysics forward, even if it's just a little."

According to the Fulbright Canada-Mitacs Globalink website, the research internship is intended for U.S. students interested in coming to Canada to undertake advanced research projects for 10 to 12 weeks in their area of interest.

Projects will be drawn from a broad cross-section of research topics covering all academic disciplines, and students will be placed with a university research project and undertake these projects under the supervision of a professor. Students will be given the opportunity to take part in professional training and extensive opportunities for cultural, social and recreational experiences.