Michigan Research Community (Subpage)

MRC students return to the program for a second year to serve as student leaders. Student leaders serve as Peer Mentors, helping first year students with their transition to college, Program Board members, planning social, community-service, multi-cultural and academic events for the community and Peer Advisors, assisting first-year students with their research experience.

We would like you to meet a few of our 2008-2009 student leaders.

Michael Kheir
Peer Mentor/Program Board Member
Major(s): Chemistry & Psychology

Being in the MRC is a chance to experience life to its fullest in an awesome community where research/forming new friendships is radically lived out. I’m really glad I was part of the community my freshman year and now I’m pumped more than ever for sophomore year! Being part of a group of so many diverse people allowed me to meet so many others with similar career aspirations and research desires, as well as others with interests other than my own. I feel really close to many of the students –like a family away from home…and it’s great to see the family back this year!

Devan Rouse
Peer Mentor/Program Board Member
Major(s): Environmental Science and Biology

Being a part of the MRC was a great way for me to immediately feel like a part of something at this huge University. It has given me a group of people with similar interests to connect with and develop close relationships with over the years. Not only has the MRC provided me with that close-knit community feeling, but also the research opportunities and resources offered are endless! Last year I gained research experience in analyzing solar storms using computer programming skills. This year I will be focusing on more hands on methods of research working with wasps and studying their behavior. The MRC has provided me with so many research opportunities and lifetime friendships that have greatly enhanced my experience at U of M thus far!

Emmanuele Frontini
Peer Mentor
Major: Mechanical Engineering

As an international student from Hong Kong, the MRC allowed me to find a new home away from home. Although living in a dorm was nothing new to me, living within this community has been an experience like no other. There are plenty of opportunities to gain exposure to the unknown and one of them, for me, was the chance to research as an undergraduate student.

Although I intend to major in mechanical engineering, I decided to do my research in another field to broaden my horizon. My research was with the psychology department, working in a lab running experiments on human subjects. Through running a series of tests and finding the similarities in performance under different conditions, we created a model for human behavior. This experience not only showed me about research but also put me in a situation of responsibility and professionalism. Aside from the unique research opportunity, various activities within the MRC continued to strengthen my sense of belonging and ease my transition to college and more importantly, a new country.

Lindsay Harmon
Peer Mentor
Major(s): Biology and German

Being in the MRC makes the University of Michigan feel so much smaller. As a freshman first entering this large university, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the stressful academic environment and the vast array of organizations and clubs. Being in the MRC was so helpful during this transition period. The close-knit, supportive community allowed me to easily build friendships and having access to great resources, such as study groups, helped me adjust to the harder college class load. MRC also gave me the opportunity to work on cutting edge research with a U of M faculty member; an aspect of the program that has influenced my decisions about my academic major and career interests. I believe that the freshman-centered focus of the MRC is one of the reasons why I have had such a positive, successful experience at U of M.