Former Otago Boys' High School pupil Scott Adler (23) studied physics at the University of Otago before continuing his study at Colgate University, in the United States.
On the back of his academic and professional achievement, as well as record of service and demonstrated leadership in the field of physics, he has been given a Fulbright United States Student Programme Award by the US Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
Mr Adler said the award would allow him to conduct physics research at the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), in Norway, for the next 10 months. His research would be part of his project to ''develop instrumentation and analysis required for introducing an innovative, data-driven framework for optimised operations and maintenance in utility-scale photovoltaic power plants''.
Effectively, the project aimed to improve the cost-effectiveness and long-term performance of solar power parks.
Mr Adler said he felt honoured to win the award.
''The opportunity of travelling to a foreign country to engage in research at the fore-front of science is a truly special experience.''
Since 1946, the programme has given more than 390,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds and fields the chance to study, teach, research, and contribute to finding solutions to critical global challenges.
