Fulbrighters and Nobel Laureates

The Nobel Prize rewards “discoveries made for the betterment of humankind in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, economics, and peace.” Since 1952, 61 Fulbright alumni have been recognized for their contributions to their fields, and Fulbright alumnus Linus Pauling made history by being one of only four people to have won two Nobel Prizes.

The alumni listed below exemplify the Fulbright Program’s commitment to solving global challenges, fostering opportunities and excellence across fields of study, and seeking to make the world a better place. We recognize these Fulbright alumni and the contributions they have made to their fields while celebrating all Fulbrighters who work toward the betterment of humankind. 

Peter Higgs

Theoretical Physicist

Visiting Scholar from the U.K., 1965

Higgs was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work on subatomic particles, specifically the Higgs boson or “God particle.”

Rosalyn Yalow

Nuclear Physicist

U.S. Scholar to Portugal, 1979

Yalow co-developed radioimmunoassay, which led to a breakthrough in understanding type 2 diabetes.

Juan Manuel Santos Rivera

Former President of Colombia

Foreign Student from Colombia, 1980

As president, Rivera worked for six years to bring Colombia’s 50-year civil war to an end.

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Maria Ressa

Journalist

Fulbrighter to the Philippines, 1986

As a journalist, Ressa has fought tirelessly against disinformation. She is co-founder, CEO, and president of Rappler, the Philippines' top digital-only news site fighting for free press.

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Nobel Prize-winning Fulbright Alumni