California State University Archives

Tripti Sharma

Ms. Tripti Sharma is a dedicated PGT biology teacher at Kendriya Vidyalaya IIP, Dehradun, where she imparts her knowledge and passion for biology to urban class students. With a postgraduate degree in zoology, she possesses a strong academic foundation that enriches her teaching methodology.

In addition to her teaching role, Tripti is a trained counsellor from NCERT. She has actively engaged in counselling both students and adults as a regular Manodarpan counsellor. Her efforts extend beyond individual support; she has contributed to educational discussions by delivering insightful talks during Sahyog and Paricharcha sessions organized by NCERT. Tripti’s multifaceted approach to education, combining biological sciences with mental well-being, highlights her commitment to nurturing holistic development among her students.

Tripti views her participation in the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program as a transformative opportunity. She is being exposed to innovative teaching methodologies, advanced instructional strategies, and effective integration of technology in the classroom. By engaging with educators from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds, she is acquiring a global perspective on education and building lasting networks for collaboration. Tripti is excited to immerse herself in U.S. educational practices and culture, while also sharing her own rich experiences and traditions. She sees the program as a chance to strengthen her teaching skills, contribute meaningfully to her school and community upon her return, and grow as an educator committed to fostering excellence in her field.

Abhilash Ashok

Mr. Abhilash Ashok is a dedicated English language educator with over 15 years of teaching experience, known for his innovative approach to English Language Teaching (ELT). Holding an MA, MPhil, and currently pursuing a PhD in English Language Teaching, Abhilash is passionate about exploring and implementing creative pedagogical strategies that enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.

Adept in using theatre pedagogy as a dynamic tool in his classrooms, Abhilash combines creativity with practical teaching methods to improve students’ language proficiency and confidence. His contributions extend beyond the classroom, manifesting in impactful workshops for teachers on prestigious platforms such as the International Conference on English Language Teaching in Arabia, hosted by the University of Qatar.

As a scholar-practitioner, Abhilash has contributed to academic research. His paper, published in the International Journal of Curriculum Development and Learning Measurement, highlights his commitment to advancing the field of ELT through scholarly inquiry.

As a Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program fellow, Abhilash is engaging in cross-cultural academic exchanges, learning from global educational practices, and refining his expertise in innovative teaching methodologies.

Through this opportunity, Abhilash seeks to inspire students and educators to embrace transformative learning experiences that have a lasting impact.

Monika Saini

Dr. Monika Saini is currently a postdoctoral fellow at Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre CAS, Czech Republic. She pursued her bachelor’s in biomedical sciences from University of Delhi in the year 2012 and later completed her master’s in biotechnology from All India Institute of Sciences, New Delhi in 2014.

Dr. Saini joined Prof. Shailja Singh and Dr. Soumya Pati at Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR for her PhD in Plasmodium falciparum where she evaluated functional roles of Prohibitin proteins in mitochondrial biology. During this period, she was also awarded the DAAD Sandwich Programme fellowship where she worked with her German collaborators on the PhD project. She is a recipient of various national and international travel awards to present her work at conferences. She has published several research articles in recognized international journals during her PhD.

Dr. Saini’s primary research focus is parasitology and studying organellar biology with special emphasis on their functional importance in parasite growth and development. As a Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the California State University, Chico, Dr. Saini is evaluating Maurer’s clefts establishment and function. More than a century after their discovery, the genesis and exact functions of Maurer’s clefts remain a mystery. Dr. Saini, therefore, wants to investigate the fundamental biological processes associated with these organelles’ establishment and function in Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells which will be a significant step towards malaria elimination.

Divya Gupta

Ms. Divya Gupta is an English language teacher with the Directorate of Education, Government of National Capital Territory (GNCT), Delhi. She has more than 13 years of teaching experience. Currently, she is engaged with the Library branch at the Headquarters of the Directorate of Education where she is involved in improving the infrastructure and reading resources at the libraries of Delhi government schools. She works with librarians at all the Schools of Specialized Excellence in Delhi to ensure that young learners enjoy reading from their early years and get access to age-appropriate engaging books. She is also responsible for developing these libraries as safe spaces where students can explore reading at their pace.

Ms. Gupta was instrumental in creating Delhi’s first Reading Room in one of the Schools of Excellence. She strongly believes that libraries are centers of learning that play a significant role in raising a thoughtful, tolerant, sensitive generation of thinkers in addition to being springboards for academic achievement and language acquisition.

Through her Fulbright journey, Ms. Gupta aims to learn how the multiplicity of perspectives in different cultures impacts learning around the globe. During her FTEA program, she is gaining insights into curriculum design and the latest models of lesson planning. She is excited to interact with educators from the U.S. and other countries and create a network of educators for continuous professional development.