Cardiff medicine graduate awarded prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to study at Stanford University

A Cardiff University School of Medicine graduate has been awarded one of Ireland's most prestigious international scholarships to undertake postgraduate study at Stanford University.

Dr Elsa Harte (MBBCh 2024) has been named as one of just 19 Fulbright Irish Awardees for 2026–27, receiving a highly competitive Fulbright Irish Student Award. The awards recognise outstanding academics, professionals and researchers who will travel to the United States to study, teach and collaborate with leading experts across a wide range of disciplines. 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 80th anniversary of the Fulbright Program. The programme selects outstanding candidates across disciplines ranging from health, technology, science and business to the arts, heritage and the Irish language.

Following graduation from Cardiff University School of Medicine, Dr Harte has been working as a specialised foundation doctor in neurocritical care at Cambridge University Hospitals, and has contributed to research into critical illness, COVID-19 and sepsis.

Through her Fulbright Award, Dr Harte will undertake a Master's in Translational Research and Applied Medicine (MTRAM) at Stanford University. She will study how scientific discoveries can be translated more effectively into new medicines, technologies, and clinical trials, with a particular focus on improving outcomes for critically ill patients.

The Fulbright Programme is one of the world's leading educational and cultural exchange initiatives, fostering collaboration and mutual understanding between Ireland and the United States. Since its establishment, the Fulbright Commission in Ireland has supported thousands of scholars, students and professionals to pursue research and study at leading US institutions.

Dr Harte joins a distinguished network of Cardiff University graduates who have received national award recognition, underlining the University's strong tradition of developing graduates who go on to make an impact through international research and collaboration.

For more information about the School of Medicine, visit the School webpage.