The University of Texas at Austin

The Freshman Research Initiative offers first year students the opportunity to initiate and engage in authentic research experiences in chemistry, biochemistry, nanotechnology, molecular biology, physics, astronomy and computer sciences while being supported and mentored by faculty and graduate students.

Congratulations to Undergraduate Research Forum Award Winners

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2014 Undergraduate Research Forum. A special congratulations to our award winners: 

Michael Ledbetter (Fortigo, Inc. Award for Excellence in Computational Biology, Biochemistry, or Chemistry Research)

Reagan Bandy and Melissa Sota (Life Technologies award for Excellence in Biochemistry Research)

Kaarthik Rajendran (Life Technologies award for Excellence in Biochemistry Research)

Lindsay Brettmann (Life Technologies award for Excellence in Molecular Biology or Genetics Research)

Coby Tran (Life Technologies award for Excellence in Public Health, Nutrition, or Biomedical Sciences Research)

Yelena Kulik (Luminex Corporation Award for Excellence in Biology Research)

Dustin Carlino (Microsoft Corporation Award for Excellence in Computer Science Research)

James Farre (Microsoft Corporation Award for Excellence in Mathematics Research)

Bonnie Cole (New England Biolabs Award for Excellence in Biology Research)

Prad Nelluri (Schlumberger Award for Excellence in Computer Science Research) 

Kevin Hu (CNS Award for Excellence in Public Health, Nutrition, or Biomedical Sciences Research)

James Diekmann (CNS Award for Excellence in Astronomy Research) 

Peter Nguyen (CNS Award for Excellence in Biology Research)

Andrew Pansick (CNS Award for Excellence in Chemistry Research)

Kate Pumphrey and Sumaiya Syed (CNS Award for Excellence in Human Development & Family Science Research)

Allyson Rice (CNS Award for Excellence in Physics Research)

Michelle Villa (CNS Award for Excellence in Textiles and Apparel Research)

Jason Yoo (Asuragen Award) 

Briana Gray (SURGe Award for Best Research Interest Poster)

Aptamer Stream (SURGe Award for Best Freshmen Research Initiative Poster)

Jared Bell (SURGe Students’ Choice Award)

Vanna Hovanky (SURGe Students’ Choice Award Honorable Mention)

New FRI Stream Honors the Opening of the Gates Complex

A new Freshman Research Initiative was created to honor Mr. Bill Gates and the opening of the Bill & Melinda Gates Computer Science Complex and Dell Computer Science Hall. The new DIY Disease Diagnostics research stream was featured in this article about the center's opening. 

FRI Mentor Receives the Student Employee of the Year Award

Congratulations to Kevin J. Luecke, a peer mentor in the Exploring the Universe with White Dwarf Stars Stream, for receiving the Student Employee of the Year Award in recognition of his dedication and contributions. This award is given annually to one outstanding student employee who has made a unique contribution to the university and has demonstrated exceptional reliability, quality of work, initiative, and professionalism. Read more here. 

Supramolecular Sensors Stream Members Selected to Present at Posters on the Hill

Congratulations to Andrea Navarro and Maxwell Ritzer of the Supramolecular Sensors Stream. They were selected from a pool of over 800 applications as one of 60 research posters that will be presented at "Posters on the Hill" in Washington, DC in April. This nationwide contest is sponsored by the Council on Undergraduate Research, and gives undergraduates the opportunity to present their research to members of Congress. 

Congratulations to Team FRI Runners!

 

Congratulations to Team FRI, who won the Longhorn Run student org competition by having the most runners of any student organization. Go Team FRI! Get updates and announcements HERE.