Kim Stote, PhD, MPH, RDN, CDN is U.S.Department of State’s Exchange Alumni and currently is Dean, School of Nursing and Allied Health at Empire State University.
As a Fulbright Scholar and the Research Chair of Nutrisciences and Health for 2016-2017, I had the incredible opportunity to spend the summer and fall at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). This experience not only allowed me to explore interesting research but also to extend educational reach to students and the community across Prince Edward Island, Canada.
My journey with Fulbright began with a passion for cross-cultural research collaborations. At UPEI, they were exploring the health effects of flavonoids in humans—a perfect match for my interests. This alignment was what initially drew me to the program, and it has continued to inspire my involvement beyond SUNY empire, where I serve as dean in Saratoga Springs.
During my time at UPEI, I worked on a fascinating human research study that evaluated the health benefits of the bioactive components in blueberries.Collaborating with my colleagues at UPEI, we successfully crafted a research proposal, obtained approval from the Institutional Review Board, and secured a grant from the Wild Blueberry Association of North America. Our project thrived thanks to the enthusiastic participation from the local community, enabling us to conduct comprehensive studies on the health effects of these potent berries.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this experience was working closely with UPEI students, guiding them through the complexities of human research and randomized controlled trials. This mentorship was a significant highlight, as it allowed me to share my expertise while learning from their fresh perspectives.
Looking ahead, my commitment to Fulbright remains strong. I plan to continue serving as the President of the Eastern NY Fulbright chapter and am considering pursuing a specialist Fulbright to further expand my research and teaching endeavors. To foster broader participation, we host “lunch and learn” sessions four times a year at SUNY Empire and actively promote Fulbright opportunities through our professional networks.
The Eastern New York Chapter of the Fulbright Association, founded in 2003 with a gala dinner at Siena College in Loudonville, New York, encompasses the Tech Valley/Hudson Valley region of New York State, including the Capital District. Membership is open to all Fulbright alumni and those who support the mission of increasing mutual understanding among the peoples of the world.
As part of a network of 54 local chapters in 38 states, our chapter provides diverse opportunities for networking, professional development, mentoring, cultural enrichment, and community service. This supportive, collaborative community offers a tangible way to extend the Fulbright experience beyond the initial scholarship period.
I am proud of the collaborative research we produced. Here are five notable publications that emerged from our partnership at UPEI:
- Stote KS, Burns G, Mears K, Sweeney M, Blanton C. The Effect of Berry Consumption on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials in Humans. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023 Jul 18;12(7):1443. doi: 10.3390/antiox12071443. PMID: 37507981; PMCID: PMC10376627.
- Sweeney M, Burns G, Sturgeon N, Mears K, Stote K, Blanton C. The Effects of Berry Polyphenols on the Gut Microbiota and Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials in Humans. Nutrients. 2022 May 28;14(11):2263. doi: 10.3390/nu14112263. PMID: 35684063; PMCID: PMC9182664.
- Stote KS, Wilson MM, Hallenbeck D, Thomas K, Rourke JM, Sweeney MI, Gottschall-Pass KT, Gosmanov AR. Effect of Blueberry Consumption on Cardiometabolic Health Parameters in Men with Type 2 Diabetes: An 8-Week, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Curr Dev Nutr. 2020 Mar 9;4(4):nzaa030. doi: 10.1093/cdn/nzaa030. PMID: 32337475; PMCID: PMC7170047.
- Stote K, Corkum A, Sweeney M, Shakerley N, Kean T, Gottschall-Pass K. Postprandial Effects of Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) Consumption on Glucose Metabolism, Gastrointestinal Hormone Response, and Perceived Appetite in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial. Nutrients. 2019 Jan 19;11(1):202. doi: 10.3390/nu11010202. PMID: 30669469; PMCID: PMC6356777.
- Stote KS, Sweeney MI, Kean T, Baer DJ, Novotny JA, Shakerley NL, Chandrasekaran A, Carrico PM, Melendez JA, Gottschall-Pass KT. The effects of 100% wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) juice consumption on cardiometablic biomarkers: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial in adults with increased risk for type 2 diabetes. BMC Nutr. 2017 May 25;3:45. doi: 10.1186/s40795-017-0164-0. PMID: 32153825; PMCID: PMC7050746.
For more information about Fulbright: https://fulbright.org/events/eastern-ny-fulbright-specialist-program/ and more about the State Department’s Exchange Alumni program: https://alumni.state.gov/