When students join an FRI stream, they become a part of a vibrant community of undergraduate researchers and faculty that will have a profound impact on their personal development, both during and after their freshman year.
As first-year students, participants build a strong foundation of research and professional skills, while also developing a meaningful network of friends and mentors who they can rely on while at UT Austin and beyond. After their first year, many of these students continue within their research groups as peer mentors, sometimes for multiple years, supporting and guiding new cohorts of students. Each year in the Microbe Hackers stream, we celebrate our graduating mentors who have often made significant and lasting contributions to our undergraduate research community.
In Spring 2025, one of our largest cohorts of senior mentors graduated. Eleven students, more than 25% of the original entering Microbe Hackers cohort (2022), completed their time in FRI. These alumni contributed data to one already-submitted manuscript (including a first and second author) and two additional manuscripts in preparation for submission (including another first author and two additional authors). Their work highlights the depth and importance research discoveries and contributions while at UT Austin. These mentors also nurtured and inspired dozens of younger students by creating a challenging, yet supportive learning community. Many of these graduated students are now pursuing MD and PhD programs at both in-state institutions, such as Baylor and UT Southwestern, to out-of-state universities like University of California, Berkeley. Others have already entered the work force, actively contributing to education, research, and medical fields.
This spring, we are celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the FRI program. One of the most remarkable things about our alumni is their commitment to paying it forward. Whether it be through spontaneous email conversations, often starting with me reaching out to say “So, I’ve got this student interested in…” or through participation in our alumni forums, former students are always eager to share about their own personal journeys with current FRI participants. Many speak candidly about career paths that were not always linear, reminding students that there are many ways to reach fulfilling careers. Our alumni remember the support they received as students, and they consistently show up to support the next generation.
When you join the FRI program, you join a powerful network of current students, alumni, and faculty who are invested in your growth and success. Here’s to seeing many of our former students on April 17th-18th, when we celebrate 20 years of FRI and 12 years of the Microbe Hackers research stream!
About the Author
Dr. Dennis Mishler is an Associate Professor of Practice and RE for Microbe Hackers in FRI (and iGEM in ARI) and the recipient of a 2020 CNS Teaching Excellence Award.
