Discussion on the Freshman Research Initiative with Dr. Gwendolyn Stovall, The University of Texas at Austin

Dr. Gwendolyn Stovall is an Associate Professor of Practice in Molecular Biosciences at UT Austin and a leader in the Freshman Research Initiative (FRI), a large-scale program that integrates authentic research experiences into undergraduate education. She also directs the High School Research Initiative, an NIH-supported program that brings inquiry-based research into high school classrooms.

Dr. Stovall will give a brief presentation on the Freshman Research Initiative, focusing on how large-enrollment, course-based research programs are designed and implemented, followed by a Q&A.

Stovall, G. M., Huynh, V., Engelman, S., & Ellington, A. D. (2019). Aptamers in education: Undergraduates make aptamers and acquire 21st century skills along the way. Sensors, 19(15), 3270.

Buckley, D., Stovall, G. M., et al. (2025). The high school research initiative prepares and supports Texas science teachers doing research in their classrooms. American Journal of STEM Education, 16, 95–108.

You can learn more about Dr. Stovall’s work here: University of Texas at Austin and here: Gwendolyn Stovall