A University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment doctoral student recently received a prized fellowship to support his studies and training in the Department of UK Family Sciences. 

The La Caixa Foundation Fellowships Abroad, a fellowship awarded to students from Portugal and Spain, also known as the Iberian Peninsula, is a highly sought-after area research and study scholarship. The foundation recently recognized doctoral student Tiago A. Lobo-Dos-Santos as one of its 2023 fellows. The scholarship program annually selects 100 Iberian students, allowing them to pursue their studies around the globe.  

Lobo-Dos-Santos centered his research on the Romani ethnic minority in the Bairro do Cerco area of Porto, Portugal. Romani people, an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, struggle with poverty and limited educational opportunities.  

“Recognizing the need to advance social and educational equity for Roma youth in Portugal, Tiago’s proposed research project aims to shed light on these concerns and make meaningful contributions to the community,” said Alexander T. Vazsonyi, UK Adolescent Development Lab director and Lobo-Dos-Santos’ mentor. 

From an early stage at the University of Porto, where he was working towards a bachelor's and master's degrees from the School of Criminology. Lobo-Dos-Santos showed a keen interest in studying and researching juvenile delinquency and childhood behavior development. He recognized the importance of effective early interventions to prevent the development of criminal behaviors and negative life outcomes and to promote positive youth development. His dedication led him to engage in community intervention projects, primarily focusing on children from low-income backgrounds. With a focus on formal and informal education, community development, social-emotional learning and crime prevention, he spearheaded projects in various European countries, gaining experience and expanding his knowledge. 

Motivated to bridge the gap between academia and practice, Lobo-Dos-Santos joined Teach for Portugal as a practitioner while pursuing his master’s degree. He was among the program’s pioneering cohorts, which aim to address educational disparities and support underprivileged communities. Lobo-Dos-Santos co-founded a social street-work project with Romani children and youth to reduce and prevent school absenteeism. 

“Instead of conducting interventions in traditional classroom settings, we learned the value of engaging with the Romani children in the streets and the community public spaces”, Lobo-Dos-Santos said. “We engaged kids in a natural setting for them, such as the streets and places like playgrounds and soccer fields. This approach allows for more meaningful connections and a deeper understanding of disadvantaged children and youth's challenges.” 

The highly competitive fellowship selection process drew 1,042 applicants vying for the honor. The program encompasses four main areas: humanities and arts, social sciences, life sciences and STEM. Lobo-Dos-Santos applied to the humanities and arts section, facing tough competition with 268 other applicants. Only 24 were funded; he secured the fourth position among the applicants. 

“Tiago is a very talented doctoral student, and I look forward to mentoring his professional development,” Vazsonyi said. “After a year of meetings with me as part of Teach for Portugal, he decided to come to UK due to my commitment to developing students and mentoring style.” 

Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia chaired the ceremony at CaixaForum and they personally presented the fellowships. The fellowship covers all expenses related to the recipient’s doctoral program and provides a monthly stipend and funds to cover conference attendance. 

Lobo-Dos-Santos’ previous awards include UK’s Lyman T. Johnson fellowship, the Fulbright Scholarship for Doctoral Studies and the High Merit Student Scholarship Award from the University of Porto.