Even though Starkville is a far cry from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, one Fulbright student has grown to love it during his short time here.
Thanks to a Fulbright scholarship, Rodrigo Oliveira is in the department of animal and dairy sciences at Mississippi State, where he is researching, with professor Erdogan Memili, ways to improve animal reproduction efficiency.
The ways animals develop and function have fascinated Oliveira since his childhood. It was while he was studying veterinary medicine in Brazil at Fluminense Federal University that he became interested in animal reproduction specifically, and he subsequently pursued his master's degree in this field at State University of Ceara.
After completing his master's, Oliveira provided veterinary support to a livestock association for more than a year in one of the semi-arid regions of Brazil.
Currently, he is a senior doctoral student in animal sciences at the Federal University of Ceara. Oliveira plans to pursue a postdoctoral position in a high-level research team after receiving his degree, with the ultimate goal of becoming a university professor.
Although his hometown is one of the largest in Brazil, Oliveira said he really enjoys Starkville and tries to take advantage of all the recreational activities the university and the state have to offer. A black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Oliveira said he feels at home training at the Sanderson Center. While he also likes jogging and biking around campus, he especially enjoys American football and going to MSU games.
"I like the tailgating before games; it's a fun, family atmosphere," he said.
Oliveira will head back to Brazil once his scholarship ends, but MSU has left a lasting impression on him.
"I am going to miss the international scientific community that we have at this university. It is a pleasure to meet and discuss science with people from other parts of the world," he said.