U of T Engineering student Michael Beeler (IndE, MASc candidate) is one of 15 students worldwide to receive a Fulbright Science and Technology Scholarship for doctoral studies in the U.S.

The prestigious scholarship, worth $30,000 per year for three years, is a program sponsored by the U.S. government that aims to attract top graduate students to south of the border. Recipients are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement and having demonstrated leadership potential in their respective fields.

During his time at U of T, Beeler has taken an unconventional route that eventually led him to engineering. He earned a degree in peace and conflict studies, with minors in mathematics and statistics, before being accepted into the Faculty’s Master’s program. He is now researching under the supervision of Professor Michael Carter (MIE) and Assistant Professor Dionne Aleman (MIE). He hopes to use his interdisciplinary training to combat global poverty.

Beeler’s passion for these issues developed through his extracurricular work with an organization he helped found during his undergraduate years at U of T – Students for International Development (SID). Now serving as its Executive Director, Michael has helped SID organize more than 90, three-month volunteer placements in Kenya and Peru for U of T students.

SID’s teams have managed the completion of two rural health facilities, which treat more than 25,000 patients a year. They’ve also supported the expansion of three local micro-finance organizations, six agricultural demonstration sites, and have set up daily school nutrition programs for more than 450 children.

While in the U.S., Beeler will study supply chain management challenges in developing countries, with a focus on logistics problems arising during humanitarian emergencies. He hopes his training will prepare him to help companies, governments and NGOs become more effective and efficient at preparing for, and responding to, natural and man-made disasters.

“Michael is a prime example of how devoted and exceptional our students are at U of T Engineering. He is richly deserving of this prestigious scholarship,” said Dean Cristina Amon. “Congratulations to Michael and best wishes for a rewarding journey in the U.S.”