The Talcott Mountain Research Institute (TMRI) has announced the Faculty Research Mentors for its inaugural Summer Program in 2026. The TMRI Summer Program is a four-week, immersive research experience for advanced high school students who are eager to engage deeply with STEM disciplines through mentored research.
“Part of TMRI’s mission is to create an environment that supports creativity and exploration and fosters authentic work across the STEM disciplines,” states Dr. Jay White, TMRI’s inaugural Director. “The Summer Program is the first step, powered by exceptional Faculty Research Mentors who invite students into the habits, uncertainty, and excitement of real research.”
Students will be placed in small groups led by the Faculty Research Mentors who will guide participants through the research process by providing content lectures and helping students through formulating questions, exploring methodologies, interpreting results, and presenting findings. Along the way, students and their mentors will form a learning community focused on discovering more about nature.
Being a Faculty Research Mentor carries responsibility, according to Mentor Dr. Olivia Soliman: “Knowledge transfer is not easy, and the TMRI Summer Program will be my opportunity to connect with our young and future leaders.” Dr. Michael West, another Mentor, adds, “discovering science as a high school student changed my life, and mentoring is how I pass that on.”
Mentors for the TMRI Summer Program were selected through a rigorous process based on their own research, teaching, and mentoring skills while demonstrating a desire to inspire the next generation of researchers and STEM professionals. But it’s more, too, states Mentor Dr. Sebastian Skardal: “Getting the chance to work with students and research at the same time is just super fun!”
2026 Faculty Research Mentors are:
Dr. Solaleh Miar
(Ph.D., University of Texas at San Antonio)
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut
Dr. Xin Shen
(Ph.D., University of Connecticut)
Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut
Dr. Per Sebastian Skardal
(Ph.D., University of Colorado at Boulder)
Marjorie V. and Robert W. Butcher Distinguished Professor of Applied Mathematics, Trinity College
Hartford, Connecticut
Dr. Olivia Soliman
(Ph.D., Cairo University)
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, University of Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut
Dr. Michael West
(Ph.D., Yale University)
Astronomer, (formerly) Lowell Observatory
Flagstaff, Arizona
Dr. Jay White
(Ph.D., Indiana University Bloomington)
Director, Talcott Mountain Research Institute
Avon, Connecticut
The TMRI Summer Program begins July 6, 2026 and will run for four weeks. Admission will be competitive. High school students interested in the Program are invited to learn more about it and apply at www.talcottmountainresearch.org.
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Perched atop Talcott Mountain in Avon, Connecticut, Talcott Mountain Research Institute (TMRI) is a STEM-focused research center—an incubator for bold ideas where discovery and collaboration flourish. TMRI extends the legacy of Talcott Mountain Science Center & Academy where young minds are ignited through immersive teaching and learning. TMRI serves as a hub where scientists, engineers, mathematicians, educators, and students come together to drive discovery and spark new connections across disciplines. Learn more at www.talcottscience.org.