Troy Neptune has always been fascinated by the night sky. Now, that early curiosity is guiding a promising research career—and taking him across the globe.
“I used to love looking at the Big Dipper and other stars in the night sky when I was a kid,” Neptune said. “But that privilege is becoming less and less possible.”
Neptune, a postdoctoral scholar at Case Western Reserve University—and a 2024 PhD recipient—was recently awarded a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Postdoctoral Award. He will travel to Seville, Spain, at the end of 2025 to investigate how artificial light at night affects amphibians—an understudied but ecologically vital group.
Building on his doctoral research into how amphibians respond to changing light conditions in the context of climate change, Neptune’s Fulbright work will take place at the Doñana Biological Station, part of Spain’s National Research Council. The station is adjacent to Doñana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and biodiversity hotspot.
He will collaborate with Katharina Ruthsatz and Pablo Burraco to contribute to a growing body of research showing that light pollution—now increasing globally by 10% each year—poses a major threat to wildlife. While birds and insects have been more extensively studied, amphibians remain relatively overlooked, despite 41% of all species being at risk of extinction.
Neptune’s findings could help inform ways we can artificially light roadways and buildings while keeping in mind the long-term sustainability of aquatic ecosystems.
The Fulbright experience will also offer Neptune the opportunity to participate in a vibrant international research community. The Doñana Biological Station hosts more than 40 researchers and regular global seminars, creating a unique environment for collaboration and professional growth.
“Seville has such a rich history, and getting the chance to understand that history on a deeper level will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Neptune said. “I am also excited to collaborate on research with colleagues from different countries, namely Spain and Germany.”
Neptune hopes his time abroad will foster long-term partnerships and deepen global understanding of light pollution’s environmental effects. He encourages others considering Fulbright to take the leap—and seek support from their academic communities.
Want to learn more about the Fulbright Scholar Program? Visit fulbrightscholars.org to explore opportunities. And discover how CWRU supports faculty and postdocs in pursuing global research and public engagement.