Weatherford, OK – Cale Webber, a sophomore biomedical sciences major at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), has been selected as a Brad Henry International Scholar to study at Swansea University in Wales during spring 2027. He will spend a semester studying abroad with tuition, fees and accommodations covered, along with a $1,500 stipend to help with travel and other expenses.

The Brad Henry International Scholars Program gives undergraduate students at Oklahoma’s public regional universities the opportunity to continue their education in Wales. Swansea’s spring semester begins Jan. 25 and concludes June 4, 2027.

Webber is from Stillwater, and he plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in anesthesiology. He hopes to learn more about health care in Wales and bring new perspectives back to his SWOSU community and ongoing research.

At SWOSU, he conducts research with Dr. Vijay Somalinga, an associate professor in the Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences. He joined Somalinga’s laboratory during his freshman year and studies DNA-binding protein from starved cells in a soil bacterium and an opportunistic pathogen. This summer, Webber received an OK-INBRE Summer Mentoring and Research Training grant to continue the project.

“Cale excels in academics and shows tremendous potential for research,” said Somalinga. “His strong work ethic, determination, and ability to understand complex concepts makes him an ideal student for this opportunity. I am confident that Cale will perform exceptionally well in his coursework at Swansea University.”

Webber’s involvement at SWOSU also includes helping prospective students and families learn about the university. As a student ambassador in the Admissions Office, he leads campus tours and connects visitors with academic departments. He serves as president of SWOSU Catholic and has been a Student Government Association senator working on campus improvements.

“As I spend a semester in Wales, I hope to gain an appreciation for other cultures and various styles of teaching, as well as personal growth and the opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and make global connections,” Webber said.

For more information about SWOSU’s Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, visit https://www.swosu.edu/biological-sciences/index.php.

About Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves more than 5,000 students and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.

For more information about Southwestern Oklahoma State University, visit www.swosu.edu.

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