Introducing the inaugural class of Morehead-Cain Global Fellows

The Morehead-Cain Foundation is pleased to announce the members of its inaugural class of Morehead-Cain Global Fellows, who will begin their one-year fellowship program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC–Chapel Hill) in the fall of 2025. 

The twelve global fellows represent Azerbaijan, Brazil, India, Nigeria, and Turkey. Their academic interests range from sustainable energy and quantum computing to neuroethics, international diplomacy, and the arts. They join a thriving cohort of thinkers, leaders, creators, and adventurers at UNC–Chapel Hill, empowered by the Morehead-Cain Program to set their potential free. 

The Morehead-Cain Global Fellows program is a highly selective, fully funded one-year fellowship for exceptional student leaders from around the world to study at UNC–Chapel Hill. All candidates are nominated by a faculty or staff member from their home institution and have excelled in four semesters of honors-level coursework at their home university while leaving a track record of positive leadership impact at that university. After their year at Carolina and Morehead-Cain, Global Fellows will return to their home university to complete their studies and positively shape their home campus.  

The selection process includes an extensive application review, and finalists were invited to participate in an in-person Final Selection Experience in March 2025. All twelve candidates who were offered spaces in the first cohort of global fellows arrive at Carolina in August.  

Morehead-Cain President Chris Bradford said the global fellows are “poised to lead with purpose, integrity, and impact on a global scale” as they begin their journey at UNC–Chapel Hill.  

“Our world needs visionary and ethical leaders who are connected across nations and cultures if we are to address the complex global challenges of this century,” Bradford said. “These remarkable individuals were selected not only for their intellectual accomplishments but for their deep commitment to creating lasting positive change, and we are honored to welcome them to Morehead-Cain and Carolina.” 

The Morehead-Cain Global Fellows program was launched in 2024. The initiative aims to bring together extraordinary leaders from across the globe to study at Carolina, providing them with a transformational year to push boundaries, hone leadership skills, and join a legacy of changemakers shaping the future. 

High-resolution images of the 2026 Morehead-Cain Global Fellows can be downloaded here. A biography of each scholar is below.  

Meet the global fellows 

The 2026 Morehead-Cain Global Fellows are listed alphabetically by country. 

Azerbaijan | Brazil | India | Nigeria | Turkey

Azerbaijan

Rufat Alizade (Rufat) is a management student at Boğaziçi University (Turkey) and the founder of Renaissance Academy, an education company helping students prepare for competitive exams. He organizes events with the Azerbaijan Students Union and was the national champion in Azerbaijan’s top academic quiz competition. Rufat also built an electric race car for Teknofest, Turkey’s largest technology festival. He hopes to establish a global tourism company and later create a scholarship fund to support talented students from diverse backgrounds.

 

Brazil

Amadeu Bezerra De Morais Neto (Madeu) is a student of language and literature at the Federal University of Ceará. He is a published poet, playwright, and co-founder of COJU, a youth-led program offering communication and English classes to underserved schools. He supports accessibility initiatives through museum-based projects and has contributed to one of Brazil’s leading newspapers. With a passion for education, art, and diplomacy, Amadeu aspires to become a language educator and, ultimately, a diplomat representing Brazil.

 

India

Mohammad Hamza (Hamza) is a physics and complex systems student at Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. He previously led the Finance Club’s student engagement and industry partnerships. He was awarded a full scholarship to the Wolfram Summer School, where he studied how opinions spread within networks, and he has also worked on experimental plasma physics at POSTECH, South Korea. His interests span experimental and computational physics, with a focus on modelling complex systems such as societies alongside core physics domains.

Atharv Joshi (Atharv) is a development studies major at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM), where he recently concluded his one-year term as speaker of the Student Legislative Council. During his tenure, he led several initiatives focused on enhancing student welfare and strengthening institutional student governance. Atharv’s academic interests range from climate change and public policy to global development. He is also a member of IITM’s drama and debate clubs. Committed to public service, Atharv aspires to contribute meaningfully to policymaking and government reform in India.

Dheeraj J. (Dheeraj) is an electronics and communication engineering student at Cochin University of Science and Technology. Dheeraj developed a Medicine Intaker App for elderly care and leads projects in AI, CUDA, IoT, blockchain systems, and the development of a Mars Rover for the University Rover Club. He also created a blockchain-based system to prevent evidence tampering and developed thermal image sensing autonomous drones. A state champion in extemporaneous speaking and a National Math Olympiad gold medalist, Dheeraj mentors peers, serves through the National Service Scheme, and aims to use advanced computing to create practical solutions that improve daily life.

Disha Parasu (Disha) is a computer science student at the Vellore Institute of Technology – Chennai specializing in Artifical Intelligence and machine learning. She is a core member of Quantumplators, where she explores quantum algorithms and cryptography applications. A Womanium Scholar and participant in MIT iQuHACK, Disha is passionate about integrating quantum computing with AI to enhance cybersecurity. She also helped launch a neighborhood library to bridge generational gaps through the sharing of books and aims to drive innovation in quantum research and digital safety.

Nigeria

Fadilullahi Ayodeji Adeniyi (Fadilullahi)is a driven and multi-award-winning chemical engineering student at the University of Lagos, passionate about clean energy, data science, and sustainable development. A committed scholar, he earned the best WASSCE result in Lagos State Education District IV in 2020 and continues to pursue excellence in all areas of his academic and leadership journey. Fadilullahi led his team to win the 2024 NSChE hackathon with a pipeline leak detection app and secured first place in the NSE-ULES engineering quiz. As a Bridge Fellow in 2024 and dedicated chemistry tutor for public school students, he is invested in education equity and community advancement. He aspires to become both an engineer and educator, working to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to renewable energy.

Rotdalmwa Joan Dimka (Rotdalmwa) is a biochemistry student at the University of Jos with a passion for proteomics, storytelling, and educational reform. As a course representative and PR executive for the Biochemistry Study Community, she helped lead a waste management project to the finals of a state hackathon. A former intern at CYPA Africa, she also founded the Student Republic, a student-run editorial supporting first-year university students while promoting intellectual discourse and social consciousness. Rotdalmwa hopes to pursue research on UTIs, build a career in spoken word, and enter public office to drive systemic change in Nigeria.

Ezinne Thelma Mpieri (Ezinne) is a medical student at the University of Ibadan, dedicated to women’s health, academic mentorship, and community empowerment. She serves as Academic Secretary for the Catholic Medical Students’ Association and volunteers in medical outreaches and digital safety campaigns through the Millennium Fellowship. A winner of the Interhall Quiz Competition and recipient of a Student Leader Award, Ezinne combines academic excellence with a passion for service. She aspires to become a gynecologist and researcher working to expand access to reproductive health care.

Eniola Hawawu Salawu (Eniola) is an accounting student at the University of Lagos and co-head of the Securities and Trading Division as well as co-campus director for the Millennium Fellowship. She founded Ecocarbon to promote corporate sustainability and launched the One Sound Initiative to advance inclusion through sign language education. Eniola aims to lead a venture capital firm that invests in bold, sustainable solutions to foster a more inclusive global economy.  

 

Turkey

Ekin Ece Bayrak (Ekin) is a computer engineering student at İzmir Institute of Technology, passionate about AI, data science, and mentoring. She co-founded the Lykeion Philosophy Society to promote critical thinking and helps students prepare for Turkey’s university exams. Outside the classroom, Ekin cares for stray animals and practices organic farming. She hopes to build inclusive, science-driven organizations that bridge technology, education, and social impact. 

 

Güneş Tuğcu (Güneş) is double majoring in western languages and literature and psychology at Boğaziçi University. Güneş co-founded Umutlu Çatı, a mentorship program for students affected by the 2023 earthquakes, is a staff reporter for campus journalism, and she teaches English to underserved communities. Passionate about neuroethics, she plans to pursue neuroscience and law, aspiring to contribute to the emerging field of neurolaw as an IP lawyer.