Earth and Physical Sciences Department Hosts Fulbright Scholar Lecturer
Over the decades, York College, CUNY professors have been awarded Fulbright Scholarships for overseas and domestic service, conversely, in early February, the college was honored to host a Fulbright Scholar from the Institute of Nuclear Geological Sciences at the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission for a Fulbright Outreach Lecture titled “Radioactive Waste Management in Bangladesh: Consideration for Natural Clay as the Geological Barrier.”
Dr. Mohammad Moniruzzaman, who holds a PhD in Nuclear Engineering from Kyoto University in Japan, presented the lecture, which covered several subtopics. These included “What Is Nuclear Energy?” An explanation of the two main types of nuclear reactors, and a discussion of “Why Nuclear Energy?” He explained to more than seventy-five students gathered in the classrooms and in virtual setting that nuclear energy is a low-carbon, high-energy-density source of power.
His lecture held students’ attention for the entire 30-minute session each time.
Dr. Moniruzzaman and Dr. Nazrul Khandaker share more than a professional interest in geology. They also share the same undergraduate and graduate alma mater, Dhaka University in Bangladesh, which they attended during different periods.
According to Dr. Khandaker, exposing students to guest speakers — especially those at the Fulbright level — is essential, as it shows students that they, too, can aspire to such academic achievements. A few days after the presentation, Dr. Moniruzzaman shared his reflections on the event, York College, and the Geology discipline:
*“It was a truly rewarding experience to serve as a Fulbright Outreach Lecturing Fund (OLF) awardee at York College, CUNY, from February 9 to 12, 2026. York College, located in Jamaica, Queens, serves over [6,300] students, mostly from the greater Jamaica area. As one of the most diverse boroughs in the United States, Queens supports a richly diverse student population, including hundreds of international students enrolled in more than sixty undergraduate programs.
As soon as I entered the campus, the neatly arranged Welcome Center and the national flags representing numerous countries encircling the Atrium gave me a strong sense of familiarity.
I had the distinct honor of meeting with the President of York College [Dr. Claudia Schrader], the Provost [Dr. Derrick Brazill], associate provost, academic deans, and esteemed science faculty. Despite time constraints and adverse weather conditions, administrators, faculty, and staff welcomed me warmly and expressed their appreciation for bringing the Fulbright Outreach Lecture to campus.
The institution’s commitment to teaching, student mentoring, and access to state-of-the-art research tools establishes York College as a competitive, student-centered institution within the City University of New York. Visits to the Earth and Physical Sciences and Biology Departments further reinforced my impression. Here, geoscience students often participate in independent studies in addition to regular coursework.
I was especially impressed by a biology student working with Dr. Virginia Garcia Marin, who shared her satisfaction with her research and preparation for a national conference presentation. Such experiences give students a significant advantage when applying for advanced studies.
I was deeply touched by the students who attended my lecture on radioactive waste management. Despite most having only a general education background in science, they demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm and engagement throughout the lecture and Q&A session. Their thoughtful questions made the experience particularly memorable.
During Club Hours on February 10, 2026, I observed various student organizations and administrative units, including admissions, counseling, career services, SEEK, and public safety, providing valuable information and networking opportunities. This initiative helps students make well-informed decisions regarding courses, internships, and research opportunities.
As the Fulbright OLF encourages scholarly exchange and community engagement, I am pleased to say that my visit fully embodied this mission. It fostered valuable academic connections and strengthened mutual understanding between our institutions.
I extend my sincere gratitude to my host, Professor Nazrul Khandaker, and his team for their warm hospitality and excellent organization.”*
Dr. Khandaker expressed his enthusiasm about the outcome of the visit as well:
“Dr. Md. Moniruzzaman brought with him a wealth of original research on nuclear waste management and strongly reflected the Fulbright Program’s mission to share knowledge, spark curiosity, and foster international scientific exchange,” said Dr. Khandaker. “His talk was well received. Students interacted freely, asked relevant questions, and were inspired by his impressive academic transition from geoscience to nuclear engineering.”